WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Oct. 17, 2026) — Sophomore
Quinn Branca scored twice in the second half as Pfeiffer University pulled away for a 3-1 USA South women's soccer victory over Salem College on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field.
Pfeiffer (5-4-4, 4-2-1 USA South) controlled play from start to finish, outshooting Salem 29-6 and placing 22 shots on goal while earning eight corner kicks.
The Falcons broke through in the 34th minute when
Rheanne Fleming scored her first career goal, giving Pfeiffer a 1-0 halftime advantage.
Salem (1-11, 0-7 USA South) briefly drew level early in the second half when Dianelis Gonzales-Galan scored in the 49th minute.
Pfeiffer responded immediately. Just 10 seconds after Salem's equalizer, Branca found the back of the net to restore the Falcons' lead to 2-1, which would ulitmately be the game-winner.
Branca added an insurance goal at the 52:45 mark, recording her second goal of the afternoon as Pfeiffer extended its advantage to 3-1.
Branca paced the Falcons' attack with two goals and a match-high 10 shots, including nine on target. Fleming added a goal on four shots, while
Lily Bido contributed three shots and
Kenzie Stewart added two.
In goal, freshman
Jerusalen Gonzalez made a pair of saves in 90 minutes to earn the victory. The Pfeiffer defense limited Salem to just three shots on goal.
Salem goalkeeper Kimberly Laredo-Romero kept the Spirits competitive with 19 saves, but the sustained pressure from the Falcons proved too much to overcome.
The win strengthens Pfeiffer's position in the USA South standings as the Falcons improved to 4-2-1 in conference play
