Kaitlyn Barbour joined the Salem soccer program under then-head coach Octavia Saunders’ staff prior to the start of the 2019 season.

The combination of Barbour and Saunders wrapped up a solid 2019 season with a 12-6-1 mark, posting the best winning percentage (.631) of any coach in the first two years of their career in Salem soccer history. Barbour and Saunders guided the 2019 unit to the 10th-most goals (40) in a single-season in program history. 

Salem won six road games in 2019, tying the 2013 and 2017 units for third-most in a single-season. The Spirits reached the USA South Conference Semifinals after posting a 2-0 win over Piedmont on Nov. 2.

Barbour remained at Salem and spent one year with head coach Robin Ramirez in 2021. The season concluded with a 7-10-1 overall record, winning three games against USA South Conference opposition along the way. The pair took over the reigns of a program that had not taken the field since 2020, missing the entire 2021 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The seven victories equaled the win totals of Jay Callahan (2008-17) and Octavia Saunders (2018-20) in their first season as well. The 2021 unit established the program record for most single-season saves (135) and tied the 2008 unit for 11th-most goals (35) in program history.

Salem began the 2021 season by defeating Warren Wilson 9-0 on September 1st in Swannanoa, N.C. Three days later, the Spirits posted an 8-0 victory over Agnes Scott, improving the season to 2-0. Ramirez and Barbour guided Salem to shutout wins over Sweet Briar (2-0) and Greensboro (1-0) in the first month of play. October’s first win also came in shutout fashion, 1-0, when Salem defeated Pfeiffer in USA South Conference action. The season concluded on October 23rd with a 3-2 overtime win over William Peace, when senior Ellie Montes drove home a Baylee Greenwood pass for the game-winning goal in the 102nd-minute.

A native of North Carolina, Barbour graduated from Apex High School in 2015 and went onto play soccer at Averett University for four seasons and lacrosse as a senior. She graduated from Averett in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice and psychology, concentrating in clinical and counseling.

She served as the captain of the Cougars’ soccer team in 2018, starting in 59 of 65 matches over the course of her career.

Barbour played a key role in the Spirits’ solid 2019 season, which ended with a 12-6-1 mark. She helped the 2019 unit to the 10th-most goals (40) in a single-season in Salem history. Salem won six road games in 2019, tying the 2013 and 2017 units for third-most in a single-season. The Spirits reached the USA South Conference Semifinals after posting a 2-0 win over Piedmont on Nov. 2.

Barbour was named to the USA South First Team defensive unit in lacrosse (2019) and Academic All-Conference (2016-17).