GREENSBORO, NC - The Greensboro College Women's Soccer team kicked off their 2023 season with a nail-biting match against Salisbury University (MD). Despite a spirited effort, the Pride fell short in a hard-fought contest, ultimately losing 2-1.

Junior Forward Amery Skinner emerged as the standout player of the day, scoring Greensboro College's lone goal and demonstrating her skill and leadership on the field.

The game, played at St. Mary's College of Maryland, was a captivating showcase of talent and tenacity. Both teams battled relentlessly from the first whistle, promising an exciting season ahead for women's soccer fans.

Amery Skinner's performance in the 47th minute gave the onlooking crowd plenty to cheer about. With incredible precision and power, Skinner unleashed a shot that found the back of the net, marking the first goal of the season for the Pride. Her goal showcased the experience and determination that senior players bring to the squad, setting the tone for the rest of the season.

Exiting the field, Head Coach Mike Johnston shared his thoughts on the game, saying "Salisbury is a top notch team, and we were up against it most the night. I thought Sofia [Pagnamenta] was fantastic in goal. That being said, we scored a great goal in the early portion of the second half and two great chances to make the game 2-0 on our end. We need to learn how to protect leads moving forward. We will continue to learn and grow and I'm proud of our groups efforts."

Despite Skinner's heroics, Salisbury University managed to secure the win with two goals of their own. The Greensboro College defense, led by goalkeeper Sofia Pagnamenta, worked tirelessly throughout the match. The team's 19 total saves demonstrated their resilience in the face of a relentless Salisbury attacks.

Head Coach Mike Johnston shared his thoughts on the game, saying, "While the result wasn't what we had hoped for, I'm proud of the effort displayed out here today. We have a lot of potential, and I believe we will bounce back stronger in the games to come."

The season opener served as a valuable learning experience for the Pride, providing insights that will help the team improve as the season progresses. With the leadership of experienced players like Skinner and the guidance of Head Coach Mike Johnston, there's no doubt that the Greensboro College Women's Soccer team will come back stronger in their upcoming matches.

The Pride will be looking to bounce back in their next game, scheduled for Saturday September 2, 2023 against St. Mary's College of Maryland,  aiming to turn the tide and secure a victory that will kick-start their 2023 season. Fans can expect another thrilling and competitive performance as Greensboro College Women's Soccer continues their journey this season.