WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem soccer team heads to Buena Vista, Va., for its final regular season road match of the 2021 season on Wednesday when the Spirits square off against new USA South Conference member Southern Virginia at 4 p.m.

Salem (6-9-1, 2-4-1 USA South) is looking to halt a three-match winless skid, that began with a scoreless tie against Meredith on October 9th. The Spirits dropped matches to both Mary Baldwin (2-0) and N.C. Wesleyan (3-0) last week. Salem is 4-4-1 away from the friendly confines of Varsity Stadium in 2021.

ANALYZING THE SPIRITS: Salem, which has been limited to two goals since October began, is led offensively by Baylee Greenwood (eight goals) and Ellie Montes (six). Alyson Gammons has delivered four goals for Salem, while Ashley Linden and Mikalynne Shell have two goals apiece.

Greenwood, with 46 shots, and Linden, who has 36 shots, have 23 and 18 shots on goal, respectively, for Salem in 2021.

Defensively, the Spirits have been anchored by goalkeeper Jordan Tomberlin, who has converted 78 saves. Tomberlin, with a save percentage of .857, is a key part of the defense that has surrendered just 23 goals and 15 assists on the campaign. The Salem defense has held its opponents to a .093 shot percentage in 2021.

PREVIEWING SOUTHERN VIRGINIA: The Knights have put together an 8-5-2 overall record in 2021, including a 4-3 mark in USA South play in their first season in the league. Southern Virginia is 3-2-1 at home and 4-3-1 on the road, winning three straight home matches to open October against William Peace (2-1), Emory & Henry (2-0) and Greensboro (2-0).

Since that point the Knights have dropped matches against both Pfeiffer (2-1) and Methodist (2-0) with the lone win coming at Averett in overtime by a 2-1 margin.

The duo of Makya Lindgren and Makinna Winterton, who have scored eight goals apiece, lead the way for the Southern Virginia offense. Teammates Maybel Harris (three), Kassaundra Gorton (two) and Sydney Liles (two) have multiple goals for the Knights.

Both Abby Bloxham and Alyssa Trueman have spent time in net for the Knights, appearing in 14 matches and each with seven starts. Bloxham has a slight edge in saves, 22-18, which has resulted in a 6-3-1 record in net this season.

All-Time Series (vs. Southern Virginia)
(Salem leads series 2-0-0)