Soccer Gameday: Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech

Gameday Central \| Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech
Game 8	Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:00 p.m.
Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch on RSN \| How to Watch
Location	Winston-Salem, N.C. (Spry Stadium) - Facility Info
Information	Wake Forest Notes \| @Wake WSoccer \| Pink Game Auction

The Matchup
• After two weeks off, Wake Forest returns to action on Thursday night to play Virginia Tech on RSN, which includes Fox Sports South.
• Wake Forest is also holding its annual Pink Game, raising money to go towards breast cancer treatment at Wake Forest Baptist Health. The auction site is available by clicking HERE.

Attendance Guidelines
• At this time, Spry Stadium will continue to be closed to the public. There will be a limited number of student-athlete families in the stands; however, the anticipated expansion from the Governor's office only applies to outdoor venues that can seat more than 10,000 fans. With that, Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill will be able to host 50 fans for women's soccer, set up for general admission on a first come, first serve basis. Face coverings and physical distancing are required on the hill.

Last Time Out
• The Demon Deacons knocked off No. 14 Notre Dame on the road on Oct. 15 by a 1-0 score.
• Shayla Smart netted her first goal of the season in the 87th minute for the game-winning goal. Reese Kim tallied an assist.
• Making her first collegiate start, goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks stymied the Fighting Irish offense. She saved all nine shots on goa, facing 18 total shots in the game, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors for her efforts.

Quick Kicks
• Out of Wake Forest's first seven games, five of the opponents were ranked in the top seven of the United Soccer Coaches poll and six were in the top 15.
• Wake Forest and the ACC are set for a truncated fall season. The league will feature an eight-game conference schedule followed by the ACC Championship.
• The ACC is one of four conferences to play college soccer this fall, joined by the SEC, Big 12 and the Sun Belt.
• The NCAA is tentatively planning to hold the NCAA Soccer Championship in the spring. More details on that on page 2.
• Wake Forest's top returners include defender Hannah Betfort, a co-captain last season who led the squad with five assists; Ryanne Brown, who was tied for fourth on the team with nine points on three goals and three assists; and Giovanna DeMarco, who battled injuries last year but was an ACC All-Freshman Team pick in 2018.
• Tony da Luz is in his 24th season at the helm of Wake Forest. His Deacs have reached the NCAA Tournament in 19 of his 23 years.

Scouting The Hokies
• Virginia Tech is 3-7 overall, but has won two of its last three games over Miami and Navy.
• Emily Gray leads the ACC with seven assists, three more than any other player.

Series History
• Virginia Tech leads the all-time series, 8-6-3.
• In last year's meeting, Grace Sklopan scored a second-half goal for the Hokies to lead them to a 1-0 win. Mandy McGlynn made two saves in goal to record a shutout.

Looking Ahead
• Wake Forest plays host to Pitt on Sunday afternoon for Senior Day with the game airing on ACCNX.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hannah Betfort

Ryanne Brown

Giovanna DeMarco

Reese Kim

Kaitlyn Parks

Shayla Smart

Wake Forest Athletics