Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Nebraska
Nuzzolese Sends Deacons Past Huskers 2-1 in Overtime
9/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2011
Final Stats | Final Stats (PDF)
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Rachel Nuzzolese scored the game-winning goal eight minutes into overtime off of an assist from Katie Stengel to give the No. 18 Wake Forest women's soccer team a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nebraska on Sunday afternoon on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
With the win, the Demon Deacons (6-1-0) clinched the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational title, following their win over Loyola (Md.) on Friday. Demon Deacons Stengel, Nuzzolese and Jordan Feger were named to the All-Tournament Team.
"It was a huge win to do it on the road and win this tournament," said Nuzzolese. "We wanted (to win the tournament) and we got it, so we're really happy about that."
Alisha Woodson had given the Deacs a 1-0 lead in 62nd minute with her second goal of the season. Freshman Riley Ridgik earned her first-career assist on the play. But the Cornhuskers (3-3-1) answered back only two minutes later as Molly Thomas fed Nebraska's prolific goalscorer Morgan Marlborough in the box where she blasted a shot from six yards past Deacon goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.
The Deacons had a couple opportunities to retake the lead as regulation time ran down, but could not finish on the final ball, sending the game to overtime.
Eight minutes into the extra period, a nice passing sequence gave Stengel the ball at the top of the box. The sophomore forward made a few moves before playing the ball to the left where Nuzzolese was lurking at the corner of the six-yard box. Nuzzolese hit a left-footed shot under Nebraska keeper Emma Stevens and inside the back post to give Wake Forest the win.
Nuzzolese's goal was her third of the season. All three have been game-winners.
"Scoring is great. It's my job, so it's always good to score a goal," said Nuzzolese
Aubrey Bledsoe earned the win in net for Wake Forest, making three saves. Stevens took the loss for the Huskers, making six saves.
The Demon Deacons outshot the Cornhuskers 17-11 put eight shots on frame compared to only four for Nebraska. The game was a physical affair with Nebraska committing 12 fouls and Wake Forest committing eight. Three Cornhuskers were shown yellow cards, and Ally Berry was given Wake's first caution of the season.
With both teams playing in their second game of the weekend, sluggish legs led to a slow pace of play.
The Demon Deacons controlled the opening period, taking nine shots compared to only seven for Nebraska, but neither team had any serious scoring opportunities.
Rachel Nuzzolese took an indirect kick in the 50th minute and tried to find Riley Ridgik sliding at the left post put the freshman midfielder could not get a foot on the ball and the pass went over the line for a Husker goal kick.
In the 55th minute, Katie Stengel made a run through the midfield and dished to Nuzzolese on the right, who took a shot that was blocked off by a defender. The rebound came to Kim Marshall, who fired a shot from the top of the box which was saved by the Husker keeper.
The Deacons took the lead in the 62nd minute off a corner kick by Kim Marshall. Ridgik headed the corner on goal, forcing Husker keeper Stevens to make a save. Woodson was there to clean up the mess, blasting the rebound in at the far post.
Morgan Marlborough answered for the Cornhuskers only two minutes later. Molly Thomas received a cross on the left and made a move before crossing to Marlborough in the box who finished past Bledsoe from close range.
Wake had a golden opportunity to take the lead again in the 70th minute. Stengel ran to the end line and delivered a low cross that Nuzzolese just missed getting a foot on in front of the open goal.
In the 78th minute, Nuzzolese created some space at the top of the box and ripped a low shot that went just wide of the left post.
Nuzzolese had the last change of regulation when her free kick from 23 yards in the 90th minute sailed over the cross bar.
The Demon Deacons will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 15 in their ACC opener against Florida State at Spry Stadium at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ACC's Regional Sports Networks.
