ROME, Ga. – The Salem soccer team was selected eighth in the 2023 USA South Conference Preseason Polls, released by the league office on Wednesday, August 23rd. Defending league champion Methodist, who garnered seven first-place votes, sits atop the polls, which were conducted by the leagues' head coaches.

Salem head coach Robin Ramirez's roster consists of two seniors, Isabel Scott and Layla Locklear, along with four sophomores. Among the four sophomores is Darilyn Nieto, the 2022 USA South Rookie of the Year. Nieto, the program's first-ever Rookie of the Year winner, led all Salem players in goals (14), points (30), shots (102), shots on goal (67) and game-winning goals (three) during her first season on the pitch.

The 2023 season begins with a four-match road stretch for the Spirits, including a preseason clash at Ferrum on August 26th. The regular season kicks off at Hollins on September 1st and is followed by clashes at St. Andrews (Sept. 6) and Randolph (Sept. 9) before the Spirits make their first appearance at Varsity Field against Agnes Scott on Friday, September 15th at 4 p.m.

Methodist was placed atop the rankings thanks to receiving 79 total points and seven of the possible ten first place votes. The Monarchs finished last season with a perfect 9-0 Conference record for the second consecutive fall to claim the regular season title for a second straight campaign.

As the USA South Tournament's top-seeded team, Methodist swept through to earn the program's third championship. Southern Virginia, who was second in the poll and fell to the Monarchs in the tournament championship game, grabbed 75 total points and the remaining three first place votes. Mary Baldwin rounded out the top-three with 60 points.

The 2023 USA South Women's Soccer Tournament will once again be conducted exclusively on campus sites. The top-eight seeded teams will advance to the tournament which will begin with first round action on Tuesday, October 31. The semifinals will take place Thursday, November 2 with the finals occurring on Saturday, November 4. The higher-seeded team in each contest will host.