Wake Forest Scores 3-0 Victory Over Elon

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest women's soccer (5-6-1, 3-4-1) won in dominant fashion, riding three goals from three different Demon Deacons to shutout Elon (2-3-0, 1-1-0) 3-0 in an action-packed match at Spry Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Deacs struck first with a 19th minute goal off the right foot of Ashley Frank. The forward took a strong first touch off a pass from Sophie Faircloth to open up and fire a shot outside the 18-yard box into the bottom left corner for the opening goal.

Less than ten minutes later, a Wake Forest cross hit the hand of an Elon defender inside the Phoenix box. Faircloth got the nod to take the 27th-minute penalty kick for the Demon Deacons. The true freshman didn't hesitate as she fired the ball to the right corner that was securely out of reach of the keeper.

The third goal came when Shayla Smart dribbled around the Phoenix defender and slotted a cross-net dime in the bottom left corner. The Apopka, Florida, native would put the nail in the coffin for any Elon hopes to comeback in the 69th minute.

The three goals came after an offensive onslaught from Wake Forest. The Deacs outshot Elon 21-9 for the game.

How It Happened

Wake Forest's first chance came just seven minutes into the game, when Carrie McIntire's cross found Liv Stowell's left foot in the box. The ball rebounded high and soared over the crossbar.
The Deacs struck first in the 19th minute, when Frank's beautiful first touch off a pass from Faircloth. Frank swung one in from just outside the 18-yard box, nailing the shot past the outstretched arms of Elon's goalkeeper. The goal was the junior's first of the 2020-21 campaign.
Ryanne Brown rocketed a shot at the net, but it got knocked back into the pack of players in the box. The ball bounced off an Elon defenders' hand inside the box. Giving the Demon Deacons a penalty kick at the 27th minute. The Winston-Salem native, Faircloth would convert the PK like a veteran.
Kaitlyn Parks saw his first bit of action in the 38th minute, snagging a shot from outside the box off the foot of Rhodes Neese safely into his hands.
The Demon Deacons went into the locker room with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
- Wake Forest dominated the first half, outshooting Elon, 16-2.
Smart would put the nail in the coffin in the 69th minute, dribbling around the backline defender and notching a spectacular goal at the far-post.
- Smart's goal was her second one of the season.
This marked the first home contest for Wake Forest in 147 days, as the Demon Deacons last played Pitt on November 1, 2020.

Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"I thought the girls took their goals very well. It was great to see Ashley Frank score, she hit that ball great. Our little freshman Sophie Faircloth buried the penalty like she has been here before. The goal Shayla Smart scored was a great combination and she buried it. Overall, I thought it was a solid performance, but I thought we were a little leggy. We weren't super sharp in the beginning but at this time we are trying to win games and move on to the next one."

Up Next
The Demon Deacons will hit the road again as they take a trip to Georgia, battling the SEC Bulldogs at 11 a.m. next Saturday in Athens, Ga.

This will mark the seventh matchup between Wake Forest and Georgia, as Wake Forest took a 4-0 victory in Winston-Salem on Aug. 23, 2015.

Next Event

Team Stats

Sophie Faircloth

Shayla Smart

Ashley Frank

Ryanne Brown

Players Mentioned

Ryanne Brown

Sophie Faircloth

Ashley Frank

Carrie McIntire

Kaitlyn Parks

Shayla Smart

Liv Stowell

Players Mentioned

Ryanne Brown

Sophie Faircloth

Ashley Frank

Carrie McIntire

Kaitlyn Parks

Shayla Smart

Liv Stowell

Wake Forest Athletics