WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem soccer team heads to Rocky Mount, N.C., this weekend in search of its fifth road victory and third USA South Conference triumph, when the Spirits face off against N.C. Wesleyan in a 2 p.m. match.

Salem, which is 1-1-1 in its last three outings, has just two road matches remaining in the 2021 regular season. The Spirits, who are 4-3-1 away from Varsity field this season, have earned their four wins at Warren Wilson, Randolph, Sweet Briar and Pfeiffer. Their most recent road contest, which came at Meredith on Saturday, October 9th, resulted in a double overtime 0-0 tie.

FIGHTING SQUIRRELS EARN 2-0 WIN AT SALEM: On Tuesday, October 12th, a pair of unassisted goals by Cyanne Harkins, scored under three minutes apart, proved to be the difference as Mary Baldwin earned a 2-0 victory over Salem at Varsity Field.

While Salem (6-8-1, 2-3-1 USA South) was unable to score in the contest, the Spirits attempted 24 shots and 14 shots on goal. It marks the fifth time this season that Salem has at least 20 shots in a match.

Ashley Linden, who attempted eight shots and three shots on goal, was tops among individual leaders for Salem. Teammates Baylee Greenwood and Amanda Rojo each finished with three shots (two SOG), while Layla Locklear and Anna Fretwell attempted two shots apiece.

SALEM STATISTICAL LEADERS: The cog in the Salem defense this year, which has surrendered just 20 goals (13 assists) and 53 points in 15 matches, has been sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Tomberlin. Tomberlin (3-4-1) has converted 74 saves (.871 save percentage), which has her ranked third in the USA South Conference among netminders.

The defensive effort of teammates Gina Franco, Lili Payne, Isabel Scott, Miriam Moctezuma and Olivia Nivens has helped Tomberlin and the Spirits five shutouts over the course of the season.

Baylee Greenwood leads the way on offense with eight goals and is tied with teammate Anna Fretwell in assists with four. Salem's Caelan Gaul and Layla Locklear have also been complements to their teammates with two assists each.

BREAKING DOWN N.C. WESLEYAN: The Spirits are 7-1-0 in eight all-time meetings with N.C. Wesleyan and own a 3-1-0 mark in Rocky Mount. The last setback (4-0) to the Battling Bishops came on October 14, 2017. Since that point Salem has won three matches and outscored N.C. Wesleyan by a 10-4 margin.

N.C. Wesleyan enters the weekend with a 3-9-1 overall mark and a 1-5 record in USA South action. The Battling Bishops are in the midst of a three-match losing streak, which began with a 2-1 setback to Methodist and include losses to Mary Baldwin (3-2) and William Peace (1-0). The lone conference win of the season, 1-0, came against Pfeiffer to open October play.

Caitlyn Butler (six) and Rian Pecci (two) lead the way for N.C. Wesleyan in goals this season. Nine others have netted one goal each. Meanwhile, Alicia Jacobs, who has logged 895:30 minutes in net, leads the team in saves with 51. She has a save percentage of .751 and is 2-8-1 in 11 matches and 10 starts.

All-Time Series (vs. N.C. Wesleyan)
Salem leads series (7-1-0)