Wake Forest University
(9-3, 2-1ACC)
Louisville
(9-3, 0-3ACC)
No. 14 Wake Forest Shutouts No. 7 Louisville for Top-10 ACC Win
10/7/2022 8:07:00 PM | Field Hockey
The shutout victory marked Wake Forest’s first win over a top-10 opponent since 2018. Overall, the Demon Deacons have now won nine of their last 10 matches.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The No. 14 Wake Forest field hockey team topped No. 7 Louisville, 2-0, Friday night inside Kentner Stadium. The shutout victory marked Wake Forest's first win over a top-10 opponent since the 2018 NCAA Tournament and the Demon Deacons' ninth win in its last 10 matches.
After a scoreless 38 minutes of game action, a successful penalty stroke from Sky Caron, her second penalty stroke goal of the season, put the Deacs (9-3, 2-1 ACC) up 1-0 over the Cardinals (9-3, 0-3 ACC) late in the third quarter.
Wake Forest continued to be the aggressor in the opening minutes of the fourth as Immie Gillgrass found the back of the net in the 53rd-minute, her first goal of the season, to increase the Demon Deacon lead to 2-0 and secure the Demon Deacons' second conference victory of the year.
Ellie Todd, the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week, notched five saves in 60 minutes to earn her ninth win of her freshman season. In 10 appearances, the Boston, Mass. native has made 36 defensive stops.
Overall, Wake Forest posted advantages over the Cardinals in shots (12-9), shots on goal (11-5) and penalty corners (4-3)
Additionally, the Deacs have now given up less than two goals in six-straight matches, dating back to its 1-0 shutout victory against Ohio State in Columbus on Sunday, Sept. 18. Overall, the Deacs have held opponents to two goals or less in 10 matches this season and have allowed zero goals in ACC play after blanking then-No. 22 Duke in its conference opener on Sunday, Oct. 2.
How It Happened
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After both teams shared early possession, Wake Forest earned the first corner of the game. After getting the ball to the top of the scoring zone, Meike Lankohr fired one on frame that was saved by the Louisville goalie.
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Moments later, the Cardinals received a corner opportunity of their own. Ellie Todd denied Louisville's first offensive threat of the match, picking up her first save.
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Throughout the remaining minutes of the first period, the Demon Deacons blocked Louisville's next three shot attempts as the match remained scoreless after the opening 15 minutes of action.
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The Deacs thwarted an early penalty corner chance by the Cardinals in the second quarter and retained possession for much of the second quarter.
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After shots on frame by Maggie Dickman and Hannah Maxwell were saved by the Cardinals goalie, Wake Forest earned their second corner of the match.
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The Deacs were unable to make the most of the opportunity with less than three minutes before halftime.
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Right before half, Maxwell picked up a green card.
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The match went into the halftime interval knotted up at 0-0.
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The Demon Deacons held a 4-2 shot on goal advantage with each coming from different Wake Forest players.
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Reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Week, Ellie Todd, saved both Louisville shots on goal, increasing her season total to 34 at that point in 11 starts this season.
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Wake Forest continued to maintain more of the possession throughout the start of the third quarter as the match remained scoreless.
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Sky Caron put the Deacs on the scoreboard, firing a penalty stroke into the back of the net in the 39th-minute.
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Wake Forest was awarded a penalty stroke after Lanckohr was tackled in the circle while she was attacking.
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This marked Caron's second goal off a penalty stroke this season.
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Three minutes into the fourth, Todd secured her fourth save of the game to preserve Wake Forest's 1-0 lead.
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The Demon Deacons continued to attack, attempting the match's next three shots, which were all saved by the Cardinals' goalkeeper.
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In the 53rd minute, Immie Gillgrass increased Wake Forest's lead with her first goal of the season.
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Over the final seven minutes, the Demon Deacon defense continued to swarm as Wake Forest secured its second shutout in ACC play.
Quotables
Head Coach Jennifer Averill - "I wish I had had a camera to be able to capture the joy from everybody on the sideline as well as on the field. It just continues to build belief into our squad. We're a threatening squad. We were very opportunistic tonight. We still have lessons to learn, but I'm extremely proud of the team."
Up Next
Wake Forest closes out its four-match homestand Sunday, Oct. 9 against VCU inside Kentner Stadium.
The Deacs open its season-ending four-match road trip next weekend at No. 6 Virginia (Friday, Oct. 14) and No. 17 James Madison (Sunday, Oct. 16).
Friday's ACC contest in Charlottesville can be streamed on ACC Network Extra, while the non-conference clash against the Dukes can be seen live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
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Team Stats
Sky Caron (5)
WAKE Sky Caron PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 5 for season.
39:37
Immie Gillgrass (1)
Assisted By: Nat Friedman
GOAL by WAKE Immie Gillgrass, Assist by Nat Friedman, goal number 1 for season.
53:37
