WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Three days after opening the 2021 USA South Conference slate on the road at Methodist, the Salem soccer team makes its return home to host Greensboro at 4 p.m., when the two teams collide on Tuesday afternoon at Varsity Field.

Salem (4-6, 0-1 USA South) returns home for the first time since playing Covenant on September 18th, after a scheduled home match against Carolina University was moved to Bermuda Run. The Spirits are looking to put the brakes on a four-match losing streak that began with a 1-0 overtime setback to Ferrum, which dates back to September 15th.

As for The Pride, they make the short trip to Winston-Salem with a 3-4-1 overall record and a 1-0-0 mark in USA South play, after coming through with a 1-0 victory in Meisenheimer, N.C., against Pfeiffer on Saturday afternoon. Greensboro had lost three of its last four matches heading into the weekend, tying Piedmont (0-0) just six days earlier.

ANALYZING THE SPIRITS: Salem is looking to regain its earlier offensive power, attempting 95 shots in the first six matches of the season as opposed to 54 in the last four matches. That includes a 29-shot performance against Carolina on September 22nd.

The lone goal in that stretch came from Ashley Linden, who also leads the way with 14 shots and nine shots on goal, resulting in a .643 shots on goal percentage. Teammate Baylee Greenwood has 12 shots in the last four matches, including two shots on goal. Caelen Gaul, who is responsible for eight shots (six SOG) has a .750 shots on goal percentage, the highest of any Spirit player with at least five shots.

While the offense has struggled to find its rhythm, the Salem goalkeepers have combined for 39 saves during the last four matches. Jordan Tomberlin tops individual netminders with 20 saves (.833 save percentage) in that stretch, while Tori Long has reached double-digit saves with 10. Alexcina Wartski has contributed eight saves for the Spirits.

BREAKING DOWN THE PRIDE: Greensboro has been outscored 16-6 this season, surrendering 136 shots and 64 shots on goal along the way. The Pride have scored two goals in two of their three wins, which came against Johnson & Wales (2-1) and Ferrum (2-0).

Logan Schnabl leads Greensboro with three goals, while Taylor Harrison (two) and Natalie Habich (one) have combined for the remaining three strikes. Schnabl has attempted just six shots (four SOG) over the course of the slate. Harrison leads the way with 11 shots for The Pride and Habich has attempted nine.

The top goalkeeper for Greensboro is Lindsay Fox, who has converted 33 saves (.805 save percentage) in 2021. She has faced just 15 shots and has a 1.88 goals against average.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Greensboro and Salem have clashed seven times in program history with the Spirits holding a slight 4-3-0 lead in the series. Salem owns a 3-1-0 record at Varsity Field, however The Pride won the last meeting in 2-1 fashion when the two teams met on September 28, 2019.

Salem rattled off four straight wins in the series between September 7, 2011 and September 30, 2017, but Greensboro has won the last two matches.

All-Time Series (vs. Greensboro)
(Salem leads 4-3-0)