Wake Forest Unveils 2023 Spring Schedule

1/25/2023 3:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

After reaching the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in program history a season ago, the Deacs will look to improve going into the 2023 calendar year with a challenging spring schedule.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Highlighted by an international trip to Spain in March, the Wake Forest women's soccer program officially released its 2023 spring slate Wednesday evening.

"We've put together another challenging spring schedule to help us develop our young team," said head coach Tony da Luz. "We're excited to get going again this spring. We had a lot of great moments last season and we're looking forward to building on that success heading into 2023."

The Demon Deacons will open the spring with a home match against 2022 College Cup runner-up North Carolina on Feb. 26, before embarking on the voyage to Spain from March 3-12. While abroad, the Deacs will be making stops in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona and will be training and playing some friendly matches while also exploring all these international cities have to offer.

The Deacs will then return to Winston-Salem for consecutive home matches against SEC foe Tennessee and Big Four opponent Duke on March 25 and March 30, respectively. A week later, Wake Forest will make a short trip to Charlotte to face the 49ers on April 6.

The Demon Deacons will conclude spring action with a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament clash with South Carolina on April 15 at Bryan Park in Greensboro.

Of note, four of the five opponents Wake Forest is slated to compete against this spring reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

Additional details on the Demon Deacons' voyage to Spain will be released in the coming weeks.

2022 Season Highlights

Caiya Hanks became the 17th player in Wake Forest history to earn ACC All-Freshman Team honors. Hanks finished the season with three assists and a goal, including the game-winning assist against Georgia.
The Demon Deacons claimed a dominant 4-1 win over the No. 14 Clemson Tigers and earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw with No. 16 Auburn.
Liv Stowell led the team in total points last season with 14.
- The junior forward collected five goals and four assists and was one of just three outfield players to start all 18 matches. (Meena, Hanks)
Freshman Alex Wood finished tied for the team lead with five goals.
- The forward netted a brace against Rhode Island in just 36 minutes of game time.
Center back Laurel Ansbrow led all field players with 1,579 minutes played on the backline.
- The sophomore started 16 of the 18 games and helped the Demon Deacons earn the nine shutouts.
Kristin Johnson spent time as a left back and a center back throughout the season. The versatile defender finished tied for the team-high with four assists.
- The sophomore started 17 of the 18 matches and racked up over 1,400 minutes.
Hannah Johnson scored the first goal of the season for the Demon Deacons just five minutes into the first match against Milwaukee. Coincidentally, the freshman also bagged the last goal of the season with the equalizer for the Demon Deacons with five minutes remaining against Boston College.
Sophomore Emily Morris recorded four goals this past season.
- Morris started 17 games in the midfield and was a perfect blend of progression and protection for the Demon Deacons.
As a team, the Demon Deacons only allowed multiple goals five times this past season and allowed three goals just once.
In the fourth round of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft, San Diego Wave FC selected three-time captain Giovanna DeMarco with the 45th overall pick.
- With DeMarco's selection, Wake Forest has had a player drafted in five-consecutive NWSL drafts. Additionally, DeMarco marked the seventh Demon Deacon drafted in the last four years and the ninth overall.
  - DeMarco spent time as a #6, center back and even a center forward at times throughout her time at Wake Forest.