WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Just three days after claiming its fifth shutout win of the season (1-0) at Pfeiffer, the Salem soccer team looks to capture back-to-back wins for the first time since early September when the Spirits clash with USA South Conference rival Meredith at 12 p.m.

The match, which takes place at the Meredith Athletic Field and Track Complex, will pit the fourth and fifth placed teams in the USA South East Division standings. Meredith, which enters the contest 4-3-1 overall, is 2-1-1 in league action and is fourth in the standings. Meanwhile, Salem, which is 6-7-0 overall, is fifth with a 2-2-0 mark in the USA South Conference.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS WATCH: In addition to the showdown with Meredith, Salem will be keeping a close eye on matches featuring Southern Virginia and Mary Baldwin this weekend. Southern Virginia, 3-2 in league action and second in the East Division, is facing Pfeiffer on Saturday. Meanwhile, the third-place team in the East Division Mary Baldwin (2-1-1 USA South), will host N.C. Wesleyan. If both Pfeiffer and N.C. Wesleyan emerge victorious this weekend, and Salem triumphs over Meredith, the Spirits can move into second-place tie with Southern Virginia by the conclusion of the afternoon.

SPIRITS NOTCH FIFTH SHUTOUT OF SEASON: Alyson Gammons scored her fourth goal of the season and teammate Jordan Tomberlin came through with six saves to help lead Salem to a 1-0 victory at Pfeiffer in USA South Conference soccer action at N.E. Lefko Field in Meisenheimer, N.C., on Wednesday evening. Jordan Tomberlin anchored the Salem defense with six saves in 90 minutes of action as she picked up her third victory in net this season. Tomberlin has converted at least four saves in her last six matches, including a single-match career-high 14 in a 1-0 victory over Greensboro on September 28th.

CONFERENCE STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN: The trio of Alyson Gammons, Baylee Greenwood and Ashley Linden lead the way for the Salem offense, netting on goal apiece in USA South Conference action. Greenwood has attempted the most shots (11) and shots on goal (six) in four league contests for Salem this season, owning a .545 shots on goal percentage. Linden and teammate Mikalynne Shell are second in shots on goal with three.

Jordan Tomberlin has made her impression felt for the Salem defense with 31 saves in USA South Conference action. Tomberlin, who ranks second in the league in saves this season, is six shy of league leader Maurie White (LaGrange), who has converted 37 saves in four matches.

ANALYZING MEREDITH STATISTICS: Meredith (4-3-1, 2-1-1 USA South) has won three of its last five matches, dating back to a 2-1 win over Randolph on September 17th. The Avenging Angels also earned a 2-1 overtime victory at Averett and followed that by claiming a 1-0 win over N.C. Wesleyan in the final match of September. October began with a 1-1 double overtime tie with Greensboro and continued with a 3-0 setback to William Peace (Oct. 6) for Meredith.

The Avenging Angels are led individually by the trio of Claire-Emma Britt, Kaelin Sanderford and Morgan Thomas, who have two goals apiece. Madeline Ostrowski leads the unit with two assists.

The duo of Miranda Lutz (34 saves) and Kasey Wilkins (four) have combined for Meredith's 38 saves this season. Lutz's record mirrors the team's 4-3-1 mark as she has been in net for all eight matches this season. She also owns a .739 save percentage.

Meredith is 6-3-2 in 11 all-time meetings between the two programs, owning a 4-2-2 record at home in that span. However, Salem has won the last three head-to-head meetings since 2017. The Spirits began that streak with a 2-1 on October 7, 2017 and followed with a 4-0 victory on September 30, 2018. Two years ago, on October 1, 2019, Salem put together a 3-0 win over the Avenging Angels.

All-Time Series (vs. Meredith)
Meredith leads series 6-3-2