WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem soccer team will take part in its final non-conference match of the regular season on Wednesday, September 22nd, when the Spirits take on Carolina University at 4 p.m. The Salem soccer team will take part in its final non-conference match of the regular season on Wednesday, September 22nd, when the Spirits take on Carolina University at 4 p.m. The match, originally set for Varsity Field on the Salem campus, has been moved to Truist Soccer Park in Bermuda Run, due to inclement weather in the area. Fans in attendance will need to provide their own seating at the facility with a lack of seating available.
Salem (4-4) is looking to put the brakes on a two-match skid that includes an overtime setback to Ferrum (1-0) and a home loss against Covenant (5-0) last week.
ALL-TIME SERIES WITH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY: Formerly Piedmont International, Carolina University and Salem have met only one other time on the pitch in program history. That meeting, which came on October 17, 2019, resulted in a 2-1 victory by the Spirits.
In that match, Kim Sephaphathi netted the game-winning goal at the 69-minute mark. The victory extended Salem's winning streak to a season-long three straight.
After a scoreless first half, which witnessed a combined 28 shots by the two teams, Piedmont International assumed the 1-0 lead on a strike by Kelsie Simpson at the 50:30 mark. Simpson, positioned in front of Salem netminder Hannah Wagner, drove home a pass from the combination of Katelyn Goodman and Ashli Mincey to give the Bruins the lead.
Just over five minutes later, Salem answered with a goal by Courtney Chaplin at 55:56, evening the score at one-all. Chaplin converted a penalty kick, following a foul in the crease on teammate Martha Santos, which resulted in her fourth goal of the season.
INSIGHT FROM SALEM HEAD COACH ROBIN RAMIREZ ON THE MATCH: "We're looking forward to getting back out on the field after the results of last week. With conference play beginning on Saturday, Wednesday's match gives us an opportunity to put last week behind us and carry some positive momentum into conference play. Carolina University presents a challenge as they've scored a good number of goals in their past few games. We'll work hard to try to limit them offensively while making the most of our chances."
ANALYZING THE SPIRITS: Through the first eight matches of the season, Salem is led offensively by the quartet of Baylee Greenwood (seven goals), Ellie Montes (six), Alyson Gammons (three) and Mikalynne Shell (two). In total, Salem owns a 24-12 advantage in goals scored against its opposition.
The Spirits have attempted 116 shots, including 62 shots on goal, resulting in a .534 shots on goal percentage over the course of the slate. Greenwood leads the way in shots (23) and is second in shots on goal (13) to Montes, leaving her with a .565 shots on goal percentage. Montes is the most efficient goal scorer for Salem (.700 shots on goal percentage) by virtue of 14 shots on goal in her 20 total shots on the season.
On defense, Salem has had three goalkeepers make their impact through the first eight matches. Jordan Tomberlin has logged the most time in net (272:33 minutes), while Alexcina Wartski and Tori Long have 225 minutes in net as well. Tomberlin leads the team in saves with 26, while Wartski and Long have 21 and nine saves, respectively. Long has amassed two wins, which leads the way for Salem, on the slate.
BREAKING DOWN THE BRUINS: Carolina University enters the match with a 1-5 overall record and a 1-1 mark in NCCAA league play. The Bruins captured their lone win of the season against Toccoa Falls on Wednesday, September 15th at BB&T Soccer Park by a 4-0 margin.
The Bruin offensive attack is led by the trio of Natasha Mariam (four goals), Aaliyah Rubio (two) and Cameron Dubuc (two). Both Hayden Pacheco and Sidney Smith have added one goal for Carolina University on the slate.
Jamison Calhoun has led the way for the Bruins in net with a team-best 21 saves, helping her claim the lone victory, while teammate Zuyerith Ventura has come through with 13 saves in 210:57 minutes on the season.
Physical Address of Stadium:
Truist Soccer Park
(Formerly BB&T Soccer Park)
5765 US-158
Bermuda Run, NC 27006
