WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – For the second time in as many matches the Salem soccer team will square off against a squad from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), this time making the trip to Lynchburg, Va., for a 7 p.m. match with Randolph. The clash with the Wildcats is the first of four road matches, followed by Eastern Mennonite (Sept. 11), Sweet Briar (Sept. 12), Ferrum (Sept. 15).

The Spirits (2-1) suffered their first setback of the season to ODAC foe Guilford on Sunday, September 5th after posting a decisive 8-0 win over Agnes Scott the previous day. The Quakers (2-0) managed to limit the Salem offense, which had combined for 17 goals against Warren Wilson and Agnes Scott to open the season, to just one goal in the contest. Meanwhile, Randolph picked up its second win of the season in 2-0 fashion against William Peace on Saturday, September 4th.

LOOKING BACK AT GUILFORD CLASH: An unassisted goal by Crystal Rivas in the 66th-minute of play provided the Guilford soccer team a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish as the Quakers handed Salem its first loss of the season and first home setback since September 28, 2019 to Greensboro, by the same margin.

Rivas took advantage of a free kick at 66:56 to give the Quakers (2-0) their second win in seven meetings between the two Triad programs. Rivas was also instrumental in the first Guilford goal of the afternoon when she knocked an assist to teammate Claire Hill in the first half, knotting the score at one-all.

Salem received its goal from Alyson Gammons, who converted a pass from the corner in a two-on-one situation, driving the goal over the outstretched arms of Quaker goalkeeper Ady Franken.

The Spirits attempted 12 shots on the afternoon, including five shots on goal. Ellie Montes was responsible for five shots (three SOG), while Anna Fretwell (three shots) and Jessica Cruz (two) also had multiple shot attempts.

SPIRITS PUT UP EIGHT GOALS ON AGNES SCOTT: A 8-0 victory by the Salem soccer team in its home opener against Agnes Scott at Varsity Field marked the first time in program history that the Spirits have won back-to-back games in shutout fashion to open a season.

Salem, which moved to 2-0 on the slate, was led offensively by Baylee Greenwood, who scored two goals and dished out two assists. Greenwood was one of seven Spirits to net a goal in the victory. Teammates Tori Long, who started in goal for the Spirits, and Alexcina Wartski combined for the shutout victory.

Salem finished the match with 31 shots, including 12 shots on goal, while Agnes Scott (0-2) was limited to just three shots (two shots on goal). Carsun Neubauer was the only player to have multiple shots for the Scotties.

SALEM HEAD COACH ROBIN RAMIREZ'S THOUGHTS ON RANDOLPH MATCH: "The team fought hard on tired legs on Sunday against a good Guilford team. We took many positives from that game and learned from our mistakes. The team has done a fantastic job putting that one game behind them and looking forward to the next one. With a tough stretch of four consecutive road games coming up, I'm looking forward to seeing how the team responds against a good Randolph team."

PREVIEWING RANDOLPH: Randolph is 3-0-1 in its last four matches dating back to a 5-0 victory against Sweet Briar on October 30, 2019. The Wildcats opened the 2021 slate with a 4-3 win over Carolina University, scoring three goals in a 20-minute span of the second, before closing out a 2-0 win over William Peace on Saturday afternoon.

Randolph is led offensively by Sara Bane, who has a team-best two goals, with Marisa Santacroce, Taylor Batty, Ella Myers and Joanne Torres contributing one goal each. Bane, the lone Wildcat with double-digit shots (17), has attempted six shots on goal. Both Alexis Bossi and Maddie Friel have spent time in goal for Randolph this season, combining for 13 saves and a .813 save percentage. Bossi is responsible for all 13 saves on the season, including seven against William Peace, while Friel has logged 3:59 minutes in net.

SALEM ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS RANDOLPH

For more information on Salem check out www.salemspirits.com.