FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 contest to Salem in its USA South opener at the Monarch Soccerplex on Wednesday night.
 
With the loss, the Monarchs drop to 1-7 on the season and 0-1 in league action, while the Spirits improve to 7-2 overall and hold a 1-0 mark in conference play.
 
Neither team found the back of the net despite a total of 10 shots, including nine from MU. The Monarchs had a handful of chances, including a shot from Camryn Amaker that hit a post and a pair of shots that forced the Salem goalkeeper to make save.
 
In the second half, it appeared the Monarchs were able to take the lead after a free kick found its way into the net after a shot from Capri Clark, but offside was called, which negated the goal, in the 59th minute. The contest remained scoreless until the 84th minute when a pair of Spirit shots were blocked by MU defenders, forcing a corner kick. The ensuing kick from Alyssa Denkovich found Hannah Huskey who netter her second goal of the season, which ended up being the game-winning goal.
 
Goalkeeper Emily Benton made five saves in goal and allowed one goal in 90 minutes. For Salem, Hannah Wagner pushed aside all three shots that she faced to earn a shutout.
 
Salem outshot MU 14-10, while also holding a 7-0 edge in corner kicks. The two teams combined for five yellow cards and 35 fouls on Wednesday night.
 
Methodist returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 30, against William Peace at the Monarch Soccerplex beginning at 1 pm.