Wake Forest University
(14-4, 5-1ACC)
Syracuse
(14-4, 3-3ACC)
Senior Night Salute: No. 12 Wake Forest Caps Off Regular Season with Fifth-Straight ACC Win Against No. 9 Syracuse
10/28/2022 7:34:00 PM | Field Hockey
The shutout victory helped this year’s squad become the first Wake Forest team since 2014 to win 14 matches in a season. Additionally, the Demon Deacons head into the 2022 ACC tournament on a five-match win streak in conference play.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The No. 12 Wake Forest field hockey team earned its fifth-straight Atlantic Coast Conference victory, defeating No. 9 Syracuse, 4-0, in the final match of the regular season on Friday night inside Kentner Stadium.
The shutout victory helped this year's squad become the first Wake Forest (14-4, 5-1 ACC) team since 2014 to win 14 matches in a season. Overall, the Deacs ended the regular season winners of 14 of its last 16 matches.
Additionally, the Demon Deacons head into the 2022 ACC tournament on a five-match win streak in conference play. Overall, Wake Forest has outscored league foes 14-4 this season, highlighted by four shutouts against nationally-ranked Duke, Louisville, Virginia and Syracuse (14-4, 3-3 ACC).
In addition to its five conference victories, Wake Forest posted a 9-3 record against non-league opponents, outscoring them 34-16.
First quarter goals from Sky Caron and Anna Gwiazdzinski highlighted Wake Forest's early offensive attack as the duo found the back of the net at the seven and nine-minute marks to put the Deacs ahead early.
Five minutes into the second half, Brooke McCusker added to Wake Forest's lead as the sophomore scored after passes from Nat Friedman and Grace Delmotte.
Wake Forest's fourth and final goal came late in the fourth quarter as Immie Gillgrass made a diving effort on a deep outlet pass from Ashley Hart to clinch the regular season-ending victory.
Tori Glaister notched two saves in 60 minutes in the cage as the junior posted the second shutout of her collegiate career.
The Deacs have given up less than two goals in its last 12 matches, dating back to its 1-0 shutout victory against Ohio State in Columbus on Sept. 18. Overall, the Deacs have held opponents to two goals or less in 16 of 18 matches this season.
How It Happened
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Prior to Friday's match, 11 individuals were honored for their contributions and commitment to the Wake Forest field hockey program: Sky Caron, Abby Carpenter, Maggie Dickman, Nat Friedman, Lilly Lancaster, Meike Lanckohr, Sloan Isen and Kennedy Wainwright, Ansley Henderson and Sam Zechman.
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Wake Forest took advantage of its first penalty corner of the match as Sky Caron found the back of the net to give the Deacs a 1-0 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.
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Grace Delmotte and Meike Lanckohr tallied assists on the first goal.
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A few moments later, Anna Gwiazdzinski doubled Wake Forest's lead after a perfect pass from Lanckohr in front of the cage.
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Gwiazdzinski's fifth goal of the season helped Wake Forest finish the season outscoring opponents 18-2 in the opening 15 minutes during the regular season.
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The Orange attempted a pair of shots in the opening quarter, but the Demon Deacon defense denied both strikes as Lee Ann Gordon notched a defensive save and a blocked shot.
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Nat Friedman opened the quarter with a hard strike to the goal, but Syracuse's goalie denied the attempt for her first save.
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Friedman's shot marked the only attempt in the second quarter of play as Wake Forest continued to lead 2-0.
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Five minutes into the second half, the Deacs capitalized on a pair of penalty corners as beautiful ball movement from Nat Friedman and Grace Delmotte set up Brooke McCusker at the back post, increasing Wake Forest's lead to 3-0.
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Prior to the score, Lanckohr's shot following Wake Forest's corner of the second half was saved by the Orange goalie.
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Syracuse threatened with 3:52 left in the third as the Orange took their second corner of the match. Tori Glaister made her first save as Wake Forest held onto its 3-0 lead after 45 minutes.
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The Demon Deacon defense continued to keep the Orange out of the circle, denying multiple circle entries by Syracuse over the opening 10 minutes of the fourth.
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The teams traded shots in a matter of seconds as Syracuse fired an attempt high over the goal before Syracuse's goalie denied Rachel Thetford's shot in the 56th minute.
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Almost a minute and a half later, Ashley Hart fired a deep outlet pass to a streaking Immie Gillgrass. Gillgrass made a diving effort and pushed the ball past the Orange goalkeeper to increase Wake Forest's advantage to 4-0 with less than three minutes remaining.
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Glaister and the Deacs denied Syracuse's final attempts in the final minutes to secure the shutout and clinch the 4-0 shutout win.
Quotables
Head Coach Jennifer Averill - "Wow. A standout performance by the squad in every line. I would be remiss if I were to isolate one person. They played incredibly charged. They played some of the best hockey we've seen all season long and every line delivered tonight. Our front line. Our midfield. Our back field. We played some pretty tough defense in the back field. I'm proud that Tori was able to come in and step up like that."
Up Next
Wake Forest will head to Durham for the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Championships from Tuesday, Nov. 1-Friday, Nov. 4 live on ACC Network.
The seeding for the 2022 ACC Tournament will be set following the conclusion of tomorrow's North Carolina and Duke match at Noon.
Stay tuned to GoDeacs.com and @WakeHockey on social media for postseason schedule, news and information.
2022 ACC Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals
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Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.: TBD (ACC Network)
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Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m.: TBD (ACC Network)
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Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6:00 p.m.: TBD (ACC Network)
Semifinals
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Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.: TBD (ACC Network)
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Wednesday, Nov. 2, 3:30 p.m.: Match 2 winner vs. Match 3 winner (ACC Network)
Finals
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Friday, Nov. 4, 2:00 p.m.: Match 4 winner vs. Match 5 winner (ACC Network)
For more information on the 2022 ACC Tournament, click here.
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Team Stats
Sky Caron (8)
Assisted By: Grace Delmotte , Meike Lanckohr
GOAL by WAKE Sky Caron (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Grace Delmotte and Meike Lanckohr, goal number 8 for season.
7:05
Anna Gwiazdzinski (5)
Assisted By: Meike Lanckohr
GOAL by WAKE Anna Gwiazdzinski, Assist by Meike Lanckohr, goal number 5 for season.
9:23
Brooke McCusker (2)
Assisted By: Grace Delmotte , Nat Friedman
GOAL by WAKE Brooke McCusker, Assist by Grace Delmotte and Nat Friedman, goal number 2 for season.
35:00
Immie Gillgrass (2)
Assisted By: Ashley Hart
GOAL by WAKE Immie Gillgrass, Assist by Ashley Hart, goal number 2 for season.
57:29
