Demon Deacons Topple No. 17 Virginia Tech in 4-3 Thriller

Sunday, October 10

Winston-Salem, N.C.

5 P.M.

Wake Forest University

12-2-0, 4-2-0

Virginia Tech

8-4-2, 2-2-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Virginia Tech	1	2	3
Wake Forest	3	1	4

Demon Deacons Topple No. 17 Virginia Tech in 4-3 Thriller

10/10/2021 8:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Shayla Smart led Wake Forest past Virginia Tech with her fifth game-winner to give the Deacs three important ACC points.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Senior forward Shayla Smart earned a brace as Wake Forest toppled No. 17 Virginia Tech 4-3 on Sunday night at Spry Soccer Stadium.

With the win, the Deacs defeated the Hokies for the first time since 2014 and picked up the first ranked win at home since August 28, 2019 against No. 19 Santa Clara.

Tied 3-3, Smart's heroic tally came in the 63rd minute as the Apopka, Fla. native received a crossfield dish from Jenna Menta, making a defender miss and punching it in from inside the 18-yard box for her team leading ninth goal and fifth game-winner of the season.

SHAY FOR THE LEAD AND THE BRACE pic.twitter.com/LG8RT2o9Oh
— Wake Women's Soccer (@WakeWSoccer) October 10, 2021

Leading 2-0 early in the match, Virginia Tech (8-4-2, 2-2-2 ACC) cut into the lead when Tori Powell picked up her first of three goals in the 21st minute.

Menta was fouled in the box, forcing a penalty kick with four seconds left in the first half. Sofia Rossi capped off the first half with her second brace of the season, converting the penalty to perfection.

Wake Forest and Virginia Tech went into the half tied 7-7 in shots, but the Deacs led 3-1 in goals.

Just 18 seconds into the second period, the Hokies found their second goal of the match. Virginia Tech also went on to tie the contest 15 minutes later at the 60 minute mark to make it 3-3 with just 30 minutes remaining.

Wake Forest keeper Kaitlyn Parks held the Hokies at bay the rest of the contest as she denied the VT offensive pressure, saving three shots that came her way. She made a diving save at the 86th minute to help preserve the 4-3 victory for the Deacs.

Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"Feels good, feels really good. The Hokies are a good team. They have shown that throughout the season and Charles "Chugger" Adair has them always ready for us. Tonight, I thought we got a great start and we countered well. We could've caved, but this team is different. They keep fighting all the time and for us to get that fourth goal, just shows a lot of character for this group.

I told the team that there is a lot of depth in this group and that they're really kicking each other every day in training. They are competing hard and training everyday to get each other ready for these big games. I'm really happy for Giovanna DeMarco on her senior night. Sofia Rossi was huge with her two penalties and Shay Smart with her brace. Our seniors really came forward for us tonight."

Up Next
The Deacs finalize their three-match homestand on Friday, Oct. 15, hosting No. 6 Duke at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Plus.

For the most up-to-date information on Wake Forest soccer, follow @WakeWSoccer on Twitter.

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