One of the key building blocks to developing a winning program is the ability to carry on success from one season to another while giving each class the opportunity to learn from the elder statesmen on a team. In 2020, Salem College Soccer head coach Octavia Saunders will get the opportunity to work towards that when a nine-member sophomore class takes the field one season after experiencing a 12-6-1 mark that culminated in the USA South Conference Semifinals.
Among those nine sophomores is Kylie Clark, who played in 13 matches during the course of her first year with the Spirits. Clark earned the starting nod in five of those matches, including her first collegiate start at Covenant on September 7, which resulted in a 5-4 Salem triumph. She followed that with starts against Randolph Macon, Emory & Henry, Ferrum and Greensboro, all of which came in September 2019.
Clark finished the season with five shots, including her first at Guilford on September 4. She followed with a pair at Brevard as Salem came through with a 1-0 victory. Her fourth shot of the season, which coincidentally came in her fourth start, took place in a 1-1 tie with Ferrum on September 22. Clark attempted her final shot of the slate at Methodist on October 23 as Salem clinched second in the USA South with a 1-0 win over the Monarchs.
Clark, who hails from Anndale, Virginia, was a three-sport athlete in track, cross country and soccer at both James Clark High School and Falls Church High School, where she graduated from in 2019. She was recognized as a Second Team All-Conference soccer player in 2016 before being named First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Region and All-Metro Honorable Mention the following season. In Clark's final season she earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region honors in soccer.
In addition to a stellar career on the field, Clark also made an impression in the classroom. She was a member of National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, French Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. An honor graduate, Clark was an active member in Health Occupation Students of America.
Clark recently discussed a number of topics to provide insight to her career both on and off the field. She made the following statements:
Name: Kylie Clark
Sport(s): Soccer
Who inspired you to play this sport and why?: My dad has always been my inspiration. He played in college and introduced me to soccer when I was 4 years old and I have been playing since.
Describe some of the things that you have done, while being away from campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, that have made an impact on your life. I rekindled my love of music, and I greatly improved on my guitar playing ability and learned to play piano.
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Class at Salem: Science of Strength and Conditioning
What is the one thing that you have learned most by competing in athletics that you apply in everyday life? "Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."
Best Salem moment in sports: Starting my first game.
Plans after I finish college: I plan to attend physical therapy school and also be a youth soccer coach
Superstitions that are in my pregame ritual: I tape my left wrist and write the initials of who I'm playing for that day (friends, family members, etc.)
How did you pick your jersey number: I wear the same jersey number as my dad when he played as a tribute to him.
Favorite person to follow on social media: RMNB (Russian Machine Never Breaks). It's a blog all about the Washington Capitals.
If you could travel anywhere where would you go: The pink sand beaches in Bermuda
What made you decide to attend Salem: The environment and the people were perfect for me