Demon Deacons Finalize 2020-21 Season

4/15/2021 1:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Wake Forest’s match with Louisville has been canceled, which ends the 2020-21 season for the Deacs.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest's match schedule for this weekend with the Louisville Cardinals in Johnson City, TN has been canceled, which ends the 2020-21 season for the Demon Deacons.

"Yesterday's last practice was a tough one, as we had to say goodbye to Hannah Betfort, Abby McNamara and Jasmin Hilliard. We appreciate all their great work, commitment and selfless contributions during their time here, they will be missed.

We entered the season last August with so many unknowns. First of all, navigating Covid was a daily learning process for all of us and second of all, our starting lineup was up in the air with the loss of Vicky Krug, Estelle Laurier and Hulda Arnarsdottir who chose to stay overseas to pursue professional opportunities.

Our first 5 opponents were Duke, UNC, Duke, Miami and FSU, so our young players were thrown into the ACC fire without time to breathe. Our team learned some tough lessons but competed very well and ended up 4-5-2 overall vs ACC opponents while starting 5-6 freshmen in any given game.

There were some really special performances all season but a few players really stood out for me. Hannah Betfort missed this entire spring due to injury but was a defensive standout and All ACC performer last fall, she saved us so many times. Sofia Rossi was a creative force throughout the season, her playmaking and dribbling was phenomenal. Ryanne Brown has developed into a top class right back and is an emerging leader. Shayla Smart raised her game to an entirely new level, creating chances, scoring goals and pressing opponents. Sophie Faircloth was an All-ACC freshman at left back and has a really bright future. Kaitlyn Parks had a solid season in goal, and incredible performances in our wins over Notre Dame and NC State.

I wish we had more time to watch this team develop this season but the lessons we learned in 2020-2021 will be invaluable in our quest for hardware this Fall. We have 14 outstanding new players arriving next fall so competition within the roster will be at an all-time high.

I just want to thank my players, my staff and everyone in our department, particularly Brittany Cameron, Courtney Owen, Bridget Sullivan, Lauren Kelly, and Kristin Weisse, who worked and sacrificed so much so that we could have the opportunity to compete. We are building something special, and I can't wait for the Fall!" - Head Coach Tony da Luz

2020-21 Season Recap

Wake Forest finished the 2020-21 season with a 5-7-2 record and a 3-4-1 record in ACC play.
The Demon Deacons earned all five of their wins on shutouts, including a ranked win over No. 14 Notre Dame.
Ten freshmen made appearances in competition to combine for 5,982 minutes played of the 14,577 minutes possible.
- Five freshmen made at least eight starts or more with eight clocking in at least one start.
Freshman Sophie Faircloth led the team in goals (4), points (10), shot percentage (.364), penalty goals (1-1), minutes played (1,321), games started (14) and assists (2).
Junior Sofia Rossi and freshman Carrie McIntire led the team in shots taken (25).
Two of senior Ryanne Brown's goals were game-winners, including her double OT score at NC State that snapped the Wolfpack's 12-game home win streak.
Another freshman Liv Stowell added to the heroics as she slotted her first goal of her career off the corner from Faircloth in the final minute of play vs Boston College.
Kaitlyn Parks earned three ACC Weekly honors and was the first player in ACC history to be announced as the Defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks.
Two Demon Deacons collected ACC honors: Hannah Betfort was selected as a third-team All-ACC honoree, while Sophie Faircloth was picked as an ACC All-Freshman Team recipient in the fall of 2020.
Senior Hannah Betfort was selected by Portland Thorns FC in NWSL Draft. Betfort became the sixth Demon Deacon to be selected in the NWSL Draft and the ninth currently on a professional team.
- Betfort appeared in 65 games with 59 starts over her four seasons with the Demon Deacons, collecting eight assists along with six goals. Four different times the Charleston, S.C., native notched a game-winning goal as well.