Deacons Use Strong Second Half to Defeat Virginia 2-1
9/26/2020 2:18:00 PM | Field Hockey
Grace Delmotte and Laia Vancells scored in the win for the Deacons
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Following a fast start from Virginia, Wake Forest rallied late in the game to defeat the Cavaliers 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Grace Delmotte and junior Laia Vancells both scored their first goals of the season to lead Wake Forest to the victory.
"Psychologically, we weren't in a good space in the first half and we were fortunate to just be down by one. We made some adjustments in the second half that really added to our cohesiveness and productivity. It was a solid win that the team fought hard to make happen."
After taking just seven shots in the first 45 minutes of action, Wake Forest (1-1) put up 11 shots in the final 15 minutes of play and scored two second half goals to earn its first win of the 2020 season. Wake Forest out-shot Virginia 18-12 and only allowed the Cavaliers to get off two shots in the second half.
Virginia (0-1) showed off its fast-paced tempo in the first few minutes of the game, scoring a goal just four-minutes in. The Cavaliers were awarded a penalty corner allowing Amber Ezechiels to get past the Wake defensive wall.
The Demon Deacon defense held strong for the remainder of the game, not allowing another Virginia goal, but the Cavaliers controlled a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Wake's offense came to life in the second half as Delmotte scored her first career goal and tied the match 1-1 at the 42-minute mark. Eleanor Winants is credited with the assist on the play. With just over 10 minutes to play in regulation, Vancells gave Wake Forest a 2-1 lead scoring on a deflection from the top of the circle with an assist from senior captain Elisha Evans.
Freshman Tori Glaister spent the first 30 minutes in the cage for the Deacons. She made a career-best three saves before turning goalkeeping duties over to freshman Ally Butler (1-0) in the second half.
Wake Forest held the advantage in shots (18-12), shots on goal (11-5) and penalty corners (6-4) to earn the 2-1 victory.
The Deacs will return to Turf Field tomorrow at noon for the ACC opener against the 'Hoos. Match time is set for 12 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network.
"Psychologically, we weren't in a good space in the first half and we were fortunate to just be down by one. We made some adjustments in the second half that really added to our cohesiveness and productivity. It was a solid win that the team fought hard to make happen."
After taking just seven shots in the first 45 minutes of action, Wake Forest (1-1) put up 11 shots in the final 15 minutes of play and scored two second half goals to earn its first win of the 2020 season. Wake Forest out-shot Virginia 18-12 and only allowed the Cavaliers to get off two shots in the second half.
Virginia (0-1) showed off its fast-paced tempo in the first few minutes of the game, scoring a goal just four-minutes in. The Cavaliers were awarded a penalty corner allowing Amber Ezechiels to get past the Wake defensive wall.
The Demon Deacon defense held strong for the remainder of the game, not allowing another Virginia goal, but the Cavaliers controlled a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Wake's offense came to life in the second half as Delmotte scored her first career goal and tied the match 1-1 at the 42-minute mark. Eleanor Winants is credited with the assist on the play. With just over 10 minutes to play in regulation, Vancells gave Wake Forest a 2-1 lead scoring on a deflection from the top of the circle with an assist from senior captain Elisha Evans.
Freshman Tori Glaister spent the first 30 minutes in the cage for the Deacons. She made a career-best three saves before turning goalkeeping duties over to freshman Ally Butler (1-0) in the second half.
Wake Forest held the advantage in shots (18-12), shots on goal (11-5) and penalty corners (6-4) to earn the 2-1 victory.
The Deacs will return to Turf Field tomorrow at noon for the ACC opener against the 'Hoos. Match time is set for 12 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network.
Team Stats
WAKE
VA
Goals
2
1
Shots
18
12
Shots on Goal
11
5
Saves
4
9
Corners
6
4
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays

Adele Iacobucci (1)
Assisted By: Amber Ezechiels
deflection after a corner
3:31

Grace Delmotte (1)
Assisted By: Eleanor Winants
slow roller, turned at top of the circle
42:12

Laia Vancells (1)
Assisted By: Elisha Evans
deflected off goalie pad to top of circl
49:17
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
Football Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
Football Media Availability (9/9/25)
Wednesday, September 10