WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem soccer team closes out the regular season road portion of its schedule on Wednesday when it heads to Fayetteville, N.C., for a 6 p.m. clash with USA South Conference rival Methodist.
The Spirits (9-5-1, 4-2 USA South) are 5-3 on the road this season after triumphing over Bob Jones (2-1), Covenant (5-4), Brevard (1-0), Meredith (3-0) and N.C. Wesleyan (3-1) in succession. As a result of these wins, Salem has outscored its opposition 16-13, by virtue of 120 shots, on the road.
Salem has tallied a total of 28 goals over the course of the season, including 13 in conference action. The Spirits have attempted 264 shots in 15 matches, including 143 shots on goal. In the six matches against USA South opponents, Salem has made 110 shots and 63 shots on goal.
Junior Ellie Montes, with six goals and five assists to her credit, tops all Salem individuals in points scored with 17. She is followed closely by Courtney Chaplin (10 points), which came on four goals and two assists, and Martha Santos (10 points), who has recorded three goals and four assists.
Collectively there are seven players with at least three goals for the Spirits, including Rachel Black, Baylee Greenwood, Amy Bounds and Madison Green, who have three goals apiece.
The defensive unit, which has held opponents to 143 shots (78 shots on goal), is anchored by the goaltending tandem of Hannah Wagner and Jordan Tomberlin. Wagner, who is 5-3-1, has made 37 saves (.787 save percentage) in 830:08 minutes for the Spirits in 2019. Meanwhile, Tomberlin is 4-2-0 in net with 16 saves (.533 save percentage) in 539:52 minutes.
Methodist (7-4-1, 4-1-1 USA South) enters the week on a three-match winning streak that began with a 7-0 victory over Mary Baldwin (Oct. 6). The Monarchs have not lost since a 4-1 setback to Pfeiffer (Sept. 28), have had four wins and a tie against Greensboro (Oct. 5) in their last five matches.
Laura Harris, who has scored five goals and handed out three assists, leads the way for Methodist with 13 points. Teammates Miranda Gay (10 points) and Bella Nunu (10) have tallied four and three goals, respectively, while Alden Sherry leads all Monarchs with five assists.
Maggie Hurt, who has logged 831:02 minutes in 11 matches this season, leads the defensive attack with 37 saves (.673 save percentage). Hurt is 7-3-1 in goal and has been a part of three shutouts for Methodist.
For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemsports.com.