WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After a 657-day layoff, which included the entire 2020 season lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salem soccer program will return to the field on Friday, August 27th to face Johnson & Wales in an exhibition match being held in Charlotte, N.C.
The Spirits, who last played a match at the USA South Conference Tournament in Maryville, Tennessee, head into the match with a new coach—Robin Ramirez—along with eight returnees and three returning starters.
Ramirez assumes the role after serving as the head coach at Hollins for the past eight seasons (2014-21). He began his collegiate coaching career at Eureka College, leading the women's soccer program from 2011-14. In addition to his roles at Hollins and Eureka, Ramirez has worked on the Club Soccer circuit since 2004.
Salem, which did not compete in any sports during the 2020-21 athletic season, returns to the field after finishing off the 2019 season with a 12-6-1 mark and an appearance in the USA South Conference Semifinals.
A key offensive holdover from that unit, Ellie Montes, returns to complete her senior season in 2021. Montes capped off the 2019 slate tied with Courtney Chaplin for most goals (six) while handing out five assists while attempting 55 shots (33 shots on goal). Salem head coach Robin Ramirez will also have Baylee Greenwood in his offensive arsenal in 2021. Greenwood finished with four goals and three assists (11 points) on 29 shots, netting one game winner along the way.
Another key returnee for the 2021 Spirits is defender Gina Franco, who was part of a Salem unit that limited the opposition to 28 goals and 112 shots on goal in 2019. Franco and classmate Jessica Cruz, who will also be in fold for Salem in 2021, will look to provide leadership for a Spirits' defensive unit that provided a double-digit goal advantage over the opposition (40-28) for the first time since 2017, when the Spirits outscored their opponents 42-17.
Johnson & Wales, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, also did not compete during the course of the 2020-21 athletic season. The Wildcats wrapped up the 2019 campaign with a 6-8-2 mark, including a three wins at home. Three of those victories came in October over Warren Wilson (2-1), Regent (9-0) and Christendom (2-0) in succession.
The top offensive player on the Wildcats' unit is Brooklyn Cathey, who closed out the 2019-20 season with nine goals, seven assists (25 points) and 28 shots on goal. The only returning goalkeeper from the 2019 squad is Jah'Asia Pernell, who notched 29 saves and two victories. She was responsible for a .707 save percentage in nine matches for the Wildcats.
Due to the match being an exhibition, no statistics will be available. For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemspirits.com.