Wake Forest University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
UIC
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Deacs Pick Up 1-0 Triumph Over UIC in Home Opener
8/19/2021 10:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Shayla Smart scored the game-winner in the 84th minute with an assist from Jenna Menta.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Shayla Smart tallied the game-winning score as the Demon Deacons earned their 300th program win with a 1-0 shutout victory over UIC Thursday night in the home opener at Spry Stadium.
With the win, Wake Forest (1-0-0) women's soccer reached its 300th win in program history. Tony da Luz has led the Deacs through 269 of those while Chris Turner tacked on the remaining 31 wins.
🎶 Celebrate great times 🎶
— Wake Women's Soccer (@WakeWSoccer) August 20, 2021
With that 1-0 win, Wake Forest women's soccer program has reached a tremendous milestone...
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ program wins 👏#GoDeacs🎩⚽️ pic.twitter.com/2xB0GexgXG
"UIC played fantastic, defensively they were organized," head coach Tony da Luz said after the win. "They forced us wide and forced us into crosses and they did a great job with blocking out. It was a good test for us to break them down. The first half you could tell we were a little nervous but in the second half we settled in and we got a really good rhythm. We generated more quality chances but we were unlucky in the second half not to have a couple more. That's the way it goes sometimes."
After a scoreless opening half, the winning tally came in the 84th minute as Smart collected the ball after a Jenna Menta assist where she turned and launched the ball to the bottom right goal. It was the fourth career goal for Smart and the first of the 2021 campaign.
84' | THE LONG AWAITING GOAL! 🙌@jenna_menta 🤝 Shayla Smart
— Wake Women's Soccer (@WakeWSoccer) August 20, 2021
WF 1, UIC 0#GoDeacs🎩⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hZkERu9xm0
"Honestly, I kind of blacked out," Smart said after the match. "All I know is I got the ball and flicked it behind me and finished it in the right corner. It feels amazing to get wins at Spry Stadium. This is my last first home game which made it even more special."
The Deacs earned their 17th shutout win over the past three seasons, as freshman keeper Kaitlyn Parks recorded a clean sheet against the tough UIC Flames offense (0-1-0). The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native made one save on the night.
This marks the sixth home opening win since 2011. Additionally, Thursday's win was Wake Forest's first over the Flames.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest's home stand continues Sunday, Aug. 22 as the High Point Panthers travel to Winston-Salem. Kickoff for that matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium on ACC Network.
For the most up-to-date information on Wake Forest soccer, follow @WakeWSoccer on Twitter.
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Team Stats
Shayla Smart (1)
Assisted By: Jenna Menta
GOAL by WFU Smart, Shayla Assist by Menta, Jenna.
84:28
