Friday, September 17
Winston-Salem, N.C.
5 P.M.

Wake Forest University

vs

Virginia

NCAA Womens Soccer 2021: Coastal Carolina at Wake Forest SEP 09
Photo by: (Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media)

Wake Forest Welcomes No. 7 Virginia in ACC Opener

9/16/2021 5:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

The Demon Deacons will look to win its ninth-straight match this season as they host No. 7 Virginia in the ACC opener.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest's women's soccer team opens Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play Friday for its first league match when the Demon Deacons host No. 7 Virginia at Spry Stadium at 5 p.m. 

Friday's match will be streamed online via ACC Network Plus, available at WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. Live stats will also be provided by StatBroadcast, and fans can follow @WakeWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram for live match updates.

SENIOR NIGHT
Sofia Rossi is a Health and Exercise major from Akron, Ohio. The forward has appeared in 50 games over the past five seasons entering Friday and has started 41 of those matches. Rossi is responsible for 23 points, eight goals along with seven assists. This season, Rossi has knocked in the first brace of her collegiate career versus Youngstown State. Overall, the senior has totaled over 3,200 minutes of action in the Old Gold and Black.

Rossi will be accompanied by her parents Lou Rosi and Marie Rossi. 

PROMOTION
For fans planning to attend, note that Wake Forest will have a JBL speaker giveaway at the gate and will be giving out free scarves for the first 200 fans in attendance.

The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina will have a photo backdrop to share the game day experience on social media. Tag @WakeWSoccer.

FAN INFORMATION
A number of new fan experience enhancements are planned for the 2021 season. This includes expanded food and beverage options, including availability on Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill, an enhanced in-game experience, featuring an expanded video board production with additional cameras, replay, and fan-engaging elements, as well as new immersive experiences to promote the unique culture that is known around professional and collegiate soccer. 

Parking is encouraged in lots A, B, Q, W1 & W2. A complete parking map of campus is here.

Gates open at 4 p.m., or one hour prior to kickoff for all future home matches.

Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina within a safe and fan-friendly environment. 

Complete fan information can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION
The best way to enjoy Demon Deacon soccer throughout the 2021 season is through the purchase of Season Tickets. Packages start at only $45 for adults or $25 for youth and seniors. 
For those wishing to purchase single-game admission for Spry Stadium, advance purchases are highly encouraged. Single game chairback seats are available for only $25, while bleacher admission is $15.

The quickest and most efficient way to order tickets and take advantage of these new seating experiences is to visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets and purchase online or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Complete ticket information for the season can be found here.

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Wake Forest Athletics works closely with Wake Forest University, Forsyth County and state officials to follow COVID-related guidelines for the safety of fans in attendance at Truist Field and all venues. While proof of vaccination is not currently required for spectators, we encourage vaccinations for all. We are proud that nearly 100% of Wake Forest Athletics student-athletes, staff and coaches are vaccinated, as required under University and Athletics policy. Currently, all academic buildings are closed to visitors, and masks are required in all indoor spaces. For additional information regarding steps the University is taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus, we strongly encourage you to review the University's COVID-19 Notice.
 
Wake Forest has several gameday guidelines and strategies. First and foremost is required face coverings for all unvaccinated fans in attendance. Additionally, all fans must wear a mask indoors at all times, regardless of vaccination status. Wake Forest Athletics also requires all non-team personnel to be masked at all times inside the field enclosure. 

LAST TIME OUT
Wake Forest got its eighth straight shutout victory, taking a 2-0 victory over Maryland at Spry Stadium.

The Deacs' first goal came from Lauren Tangney, who was being celebrated for on her senior day. She collected a deflected clearance and capitalized on the one-on-one against the Terps' keeper for her first collegiate goal.

Graduate student Jenna Menta recorded her fourth goal of the season off a Sophie Faircloth dish across the box. 11 different Deacs have scored at least one goal this season.

FLAWLESS
The Demon Deacons have yet to concede a goal this season as they hold a eight-game shutout streak, during which they have remained unbeaten. Dating back to last season, Wake Forest has gone 745 minutes without conceding a goal. It is the longest active shutout streak in the nation and in program history. 

For the first time since 2016 and the fourth time in program history, Wake Forest opened the season undefeated at 8-0-0. 

Wake Forest is one of just three teams in the country that has not given up a goal this season. Minnesota and Tennessee are the other two. The Deacs have outscored their opponents, 23-0.

SMART HOT START
Shayla Smart was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced. Smart now has six goals on the season to tie for the conference lead and rank among the nation's best.

The senior forward from Apopka, Florida earned the award after her hat-trick performance in Wake Forest's fifth consecutive shutout victory over Loyola-Maryland on Sept. 2. It was the first hat-trick earned by a Demon Deacon since Maddie Huster scored three against Florida International in 2016.

This is the first ACC Offensive Player of the Week nod for the Demon Deacons this season, and first since Bailey Feist on October 17, 2017. 

NEW YEAR, NEW TEAM
The Deacs return 20 letterwinners from last year's squad, highlighted by Ryanne Brown, Giovanna DeMarco, Sofia Rossi and ACC All-Freshman Team member Sophie Faircloth.
Wake Forest welcomes a signing class of 16 that was rated No. 37 in the country and No. 7 in the ACC by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Deacs added 15 true freshmen and one graduate transfer - Jenna Menta from Georgetown - that look to make an immediate impact this season.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
Friday's meeting between the Deacs and the Cavs will continue a long-standing series. Wake Forest holds a 7-18-4 all-time record against Virginia. Virginia is ranked No. 7 in both the United Soccer Coaches and the TopDrawerSoccer poll. The Cavs have won the last seven of the eight meetings. The last time the Deacs defeated Virginia at Spry was in 2011. 

The Cavaliers are 60-8-13 under head coach Steve Swanson following a non-season-ending loss.

UP NEXT
The Demon Deacons continue ACC play with three-straight road matches, beginning with Thursday, Sept. 23 against Boston College at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

FOLLOW THE DEACS
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