WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After wrapping up the non-conference portion of the 2021 soccer schedule with an overtime match against Carolina University on Wednesday evening, the Salem soccer team opens USA South Conference action at Methodist in Fayetteville, N.C., at 6 p.m.

SALEM IN USA SOUTH OPENERS: The Spirits are 3-1 all-time in USA South Conference openers dating back to 2016, when Salem joined the league.

Salem's first-ever USA South Conference match came against Maryville on September 16, 2016 and the Spirits prevailed with a 2-1 double overtime victory. That was the first of a program-record 12 USA South Conference wins that season, three of which came in double overtime.

The 2017 conference slate began at Methodist as well, where Salem came away with a 1-0 win on September 27. The Spirits followed that up by claiming a 4-0 win over Meredith to kick start 2018 USA South Conference, marking the first of four league wins that season.

While Salem fell to Greensboro by a 2-1 margin to open the 2019 USA South Conference slate, the Spirits captured six of their next seven league contests to finish 6-2.

LOOKING AT THE SPIRITS: After nine non-conference matches sophomore Baylee Greenwood is one of four Salem players with multiple goals on the season, lead the team with seven. Ellie Montes ranks second with six goals while Alyson Gammons is third with three. First year standout Mikalynne Shell, who returned to the lineup against Carolina after missing five matches due to injury, is fourth on the unit with two goals.

The Spirits own a 25-14 edge in goals over their opposition due in large part to 145 shots (77 shots on goal) after converting .531 percent of their shots on goal. Greenwood leads the way in total shots (27), while Montes guides the team in shots on goal (14) and shots on goal percentage (.700).

The goalkeeping trio of Tori Long, Jordan Tomberlin and Alexcina Wartski have all played six games in net and are separated by just 2:33 of total playing time. Long, who leads the team in wins (two), has made three starts along the way, while Wartski has a team-high four starts.

Tomberlin leads the Salem unit in saves with 26, followed by Wartski (23) and Long (14). Collectively they have a .821 save percentage and two shutouts to their credit in 2021.

ANALYZING THE MONARCHS: Methodist (3-1) has won two of its last three matches, including a 3-1 triumph over Guilford on Wednesday, September 15th. Prior to that, the Monarchs competed in the Salisbury University Classic, splitting matches with host Salisbury (W, 2-1) and St. Mary's College (L, 1-2) over a two-day period.

Methodist has outscored its opposition 8-4 in four matches this season and is led individually by Rachel Johnson, who has two goals on the slate. Natalia Marshall-Hewitt leads the way with three assists while Laura Harris has handed out two assists.

Both Caley Justice and Mary Newman have logged time in net for Methodist, combining for 16 saves (.789 save percentage). Newman tops the team with eight saves, while Justice is 2-1 in goal with seven saves to her credit.

Salem owns a 6-2-1 advantage in the all-time series with the Monarchs, including a 2-0-1 mark in Fayetteville. The Spirits emerged victorious in the last two head-to-head meetings which came on October 10, 2018 (3-2) and October 23, 2019 (1-0 OT).

All-Time Series (vs. Methodist)
(Salem leads series 6-2-1)