Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: (Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media)
Deacon Sports Xtra: A Season to Remember
12/7/2021 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Deacs have claimed victories in both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
The Deacs purposely pushed Harvard early, angling for an early goal to put the pressure firmly on the opposition's shoulder in a first-round NCAA game.
Sophia Rossi delivered for the Deacs, striking from the top right corner of the box at the 12-minute mark as the first of three goals in a 3-0 Wake Forest victory over Harvard.
"Unreal," Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz said of Rossi's shot. "It's the tightest space in which she's able to get off those shots. That thing was just majestic. It was unbelievable."
"I thought all three goals were fantastic. We started the game well and put them under a lot of pressure. We weren't the cleanest today, passing wise, but created some good chances. It's just an NCAA performance. You handle your business. You score the goals and move on."
The Deacs limited Harvard to just six shots and two shots on goal in the shutout. Second Team All American Kaitlyn Parks had two saves.
"Harvard is a good team and a good-passing team," da Luz said. "They like to play out of the back. If you let them play, they're going to pass you. We definitely wanted to put them under pressure, keep them at their end and make it hard on them."
"I thought from a game plan perspective, we did a great job of stepping up to players and not letting them have an easy day, everywhere across the back and the midfield. (Giovanna) Demarco was excellent in her role in the midfield just breaking things up and finding simple passes. Overall, we didn't give them that many chances. Harvard is a good team, so I'm happy with the performance."
It was a successful return to the NCAA Tournament for the Demon Deacons, who got to host the first round contest at Spry Stadium.
"We're pretty good in the postseason at home," da Luz said. "I can't remember the last time we lost in the postseason at home. But it's just the performance of the day and the kids were up for it. I think they were grateful to have another opportunity to play at Spry and capitalized on it to make it a memorable day, especially for our seniors."
It's the quickest to 16 wins in program history for Wake Forest, who moved to 16-5 on the season after its 12th shutout of the year. The win moved the Demon Deacons onto the second round, where they played at Michigan. The Deacs have claimed victories now in both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Wake Forest was beaten by the No. 9-ranked Michigan Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-0, ending one of the best seasons in program history.
The Deacs recorded 12 shutouts this season, tying the most since 2017 as the Deacs defense limited opponents to a combined 17 goals, a new program record for the least goals allowed in a single season. Wake Forest set a new record for most consecutive shutouts when they began the season with eight consecutive shutouts.
Sophia Rossi delivered for the Deacs, striking from the top right corner of the box at the 12-minute mark as the first of three goals in a 3-0 Wake Forest victory over Harvard.
"Unreal," Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz said of Rossi's shot. "It's the tightest space in which she's able to get off those shots. That thing was just majestic. It was unbelievable."
"I thought all three goals were fantastic. We started the game well and put them under a lot of pressure. We weren't the cleanest today, passing wise, but created some good chances. It's just an NCAA performance. You handle your business. You score the goals and move on."
The Deacs limited Harvard to just six shots and two shots on goal in the shutout. Second Team All American Kaitlyn Parks had two saves.
"Harvard is a good team and a good-passing team," da Luz said. "They like to play out of the back. If you let them play, they're going to pass you. We definitely wanted to put them under pressure, keep them at their end and make it hard on them."
"I thought from a game plan perspective, we did a great job of stepping up to players and not letting them have an easy day, everywhere across the back and the midfield. (Giovanna) Demarco was excellent in her role in the midfield just breaking things up and finding simple passes. Overall, we didn't give them that many chances. Harvard is a good team, so I'm happy with the performance."
It was a successful return to the NCAA Tournament for the Demon Deacons, who got to host the first round contest at Spry Stadium.
"We're pretty good in the postseason at home," da Luz said. "I can't remember the last time we lost in the postseason at home. But it's just the performance of the day and the kids were up for it. I think they were grateful to have another opportunity to play at Spry and capitalized on it to make it a memorable day, especially for our seniors."
It's the quickest to 16 wins in program history for Wake Forest, who moved to 16-5 on the season after its 12th shutout of the year. The win moved the Demon Deacons onto the second round, where they played at Michigan. The Deacs have claimed victories now in both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Wake Forest was beaten by the No. 9-ranked Michigan Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-0, ending one of the best seasons in program history.
The Deacs recorded 12 shutouts this season, tying the most since 2017 as the Deacs defense limited opponents to a combined 17 goals, a new program record for the least goals allowed in a single season. Wake Forest set a new record for most consecutive shutouts when they began the season with eight consecutive shutouts.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
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