Demon Deacons Fall Short at No. 7 Duke

DURHAM, N.C. – The Wake Forest women's soccer team (8-3-2, 2-3 ACC) fell to seventh-ranked Duke (9-3, 4-1 ACC), 2-1, Thursday night at Koskinen Stadium.

Duke jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, before Giovanna DeMarco intercepted a routine touch from Duke's goalkeeper and fired a strike from 14 yards out to pull the Demon Deacons within one.

Nearly six minutes later, DeMarco had an opportunity to even the ledger when she sent a header past several Duke defenders, but her attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.

Despite entering the halftime break facing a 2-1 deficit, the Demon Deacons continued to pressure Duke's backline in the second half but were unable to find the net.

Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks tallied four saves in goal for the Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest will return home Sunday to face Miami at 1 p.m. The match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

How It Happened

Duke opened up the scoring in the third minute on a goal from Kat Radar.
Ten minutes later, Radar found the net again to give the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead.
- Radar's second goal marked the first time Wake Forest has allowed two first half goals this season.
DeMarco pulled the Deacs within one in the 27th minute when she fired a shot just past the Duke goalkeeper.
- DeMarco nearly found the equalizer in the 33rd minute when she sent a header into the box that hit the crossbar.
Emily Morris challenged Duke's goalkeeper in the 36th minute but was unable to find the net.
- For the match, Morris led the Deacs with three shot attempts.
The two sides combined to attempt six shots in the first half.
- Three of the six shots attempted in the first half resulted in goals.
Despite attempting only three shots in the second half, Wake Forest effectively controlled the middle third during the frame.
At the 71:18 mark, Morris blasted a shot at the right corner of the goal, but Duke's goalkeeper made a diving save.
Caiya Hanks utilized her speed to pressure Duke's backline in the second half.
- Hanks fired a shot in the 73rd minute but her attempt sailed right.
The Deacs' best scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 90th minute when Morris blasted a free-kick towards the right post but Duke's goalkeeper laid out for the save.
For the match, four of Wake Forest's six shot attempts were on target.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

With her goal in the 27th minute, DeMarco equaled Morris, Wood and Stowell for the team-high in goals with four.
Sophie Faircloth made her 40th career appearance.
Kristin Johnson made her 31st career start.
Malaika Meena made her 30th career start.
Morris made her 15th career start in her 25th career appearance.
Laurel Ansbrow made her 11th career start.

Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"I thought we showed strong team character tonight. We worked our way out of an 2-0 deficit, cut it to 2-1, and pushed Duke to their limit. Giovanna DeMarco scored a great goal and gave us leadership in the midfield. Emily Morris was a threat and nearly tied the game late. Kaitlyn Parks made a couple of world class saves to keep us in the game. We will bounce back on Sunday." - head coach Tony da Luz

Up Next
Wake Forest will return home Sunday to face Miami at 1 p.m. The match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

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Team Stats

Giovanna DeMarco

Emily Morris

Caiya Hanks

Players Mentioned

Laurel Ansbrow

Giovanna DeMarco

Sophie Faircloth

Caiya Hanks

Kristin Johnson

Malaika Meena

Emily Morris

Players Mentioned

Laurel Ansbrow

Giovanna DeMarco

Sophie Faircloth

Caiya Hanks

Kristin Johnson

Malaika Meena

Emily Morris

Wake Forest Athletics