Deacon Sports Xtra: Making the Most of an Opportunity
10/23/2023 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
“Just being able to play has made me so grateful. I know I couldn’t have done this without my teammates, coaches and parents. I feel like everyone around me has been supporting me 100 percent through everything.” - Payton Cahill
Ten minutes prior to kickoff against nationally-ranked Virginia at Spry Stadium, junior goalkeeper Payton Cahill was told she was getting the start.
Despite not seeing any action in two-plus seasons as a Demon Deacon, Cahill stayed prepared, and was part of a shutout 2-0 upset victory that delivered the 300th win for head coach Tony da Luz at Wake Forest.
The Deacs went back out five days later with Cahill serving as keeper and delivered another shutout victory — this time on the road in Blacksburg, Va., against Virginia Tech.
"It has been so much fun," Cahill said. "Just being able to play has made me so grateful. I know I couldn't have done this without my teammates, coaches and parents. I feel like everyone around me has been supporting me 100 percent through everything. To now finally play has been so rewarding and so much fun."
With fellow goalkeepers Madison Howard and Valentina Amaral out of action, Cahill drew upon the competition between the trio in training over the last few months to carry her performance in back-to-back shutout efforts.
"It's been very competitive," she said. "I'm an extremely competitive person to begin with, so I stay ready knowing that this very situation could arise at any moment. I don't ever want anyone to get hurt or sick to where it comes to this point, but at the drop of a hat, things can happen."
Having already physically prepared for the game, Cahill had to mentally reset after getting the notice she was starting at goalkeeper against the Cavaliers.
"You're gonna kill this," Howard told her. "You're going to be right there."
"They've been very supportive," Cahill said of Howard and Amaral. "As much as I want them to be playing, they want the same for me. They're so supportive of everything I've been doing."
Despite not seeing the field in more than two seasons at Wake Forest, Cahill continued to prepare and was ready to meet the importance of the moment.
"Just knowing no matter what happens during the week that it's important to give it your best effort," she said. "It's all part of God's plan in my eyes. If I'm working as hard as I can and doing everything I can up until the start of the game — staying consistent in practice, watching extra film, and being ready, situations like this can happen."
"I didn't know I was going in, but I was preparing myself. As soon as I found out, I just got myself into a good head space. I took a step back from warming up and centered myself. I knew I was physically ready, so I needed to make sure I was mentally ready."
Of course, being part of such a monumental victory made the moment that much sweeter for Cahill.
"It was surreal," she said. "I didn't know going in, it would have been his 300th win. Obviously I knew it was going to be a tough game, but I had the full trust of my teammates. We were playing for each other in that game, and it showed throughout. Getting into the last 5-10 minutes, it was really gritty. We wanted, not just the win but the shutout. We all relied on each other and played as a team."
Cahill faced eight shots against Virginia and was credited with one save. Communication with the backline is just as important for the Wake Forest defense as the actual saves.
"I can see the entire field, so I can help ensure the backline is in the right spots," Cahill explained. "Communication is key, not only to ensure everyone is on the same page, but from a tactical standpoint everyone knows what I'm supposed to be doing and I know what they're supposed to be doing."
"Everything I've done in practice these last two years, and at home and during the summer, has really paid off. I found out I was ready for this, that I could compete with some of the best players in the country and help my team pull out a big win. I found out I could do this."
Having played soccer in high school and the club level in both Minnesota and Omaha, Neb., it was playing on a team with current Wake Forest teammate Kate Dobsch in Chicago where Cahill was noticed by the Wake Forest coaching staff.
"Tony was at a game watching Kate and started talking to my coaches," she said. "With COVID and everything, it was somewhat of a mess, but I started staying in contact with the staff. Right before National Signing Day, I decided I wanted to commit to Wake Forest."
Her unofficial visit came just days before everything in the country was essentially shut down because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Nobody was there," Cahill said. "We didn't have soccer for one weekend. Looking back on it, it was a sign. We found a flight, came down and toured and went right back home. The next week everything shut down. It was great timing to come down and see the campus."
"I'm so grateful to be able to train here and be able to access Spry Stadium and all the athletic facilities. That was a big factor."
At the time, Cahill was enamored with the Wake Forest School of Business, but is now majoring in history with a minor in art history.
"I want to go to law school and be a corporate lawyer," she said. "I would love to stay here, but there are also three great law schools a short drive from home."
"I still have a year before I have to apply. A lot can change, and we'll see where things are in a year."
After a slow start to her collegiate soccer career, Cahill is seeing a huge amount of growth both on and off the pitch.
"Coming in, I didn't have a great freshman year soccer wise," she said. "So pushing through that to where I am now is kind of a full-circle moment. It's great to see where I've come from, from a soccer perspective. I've been able to grow as a player, and I never imagined that. I've grown as a player and a person, being with such a great program with amazing coaches. This has been more than I ever could have asked for, and that's special."
"Morale is definitely high and we want to keep this going. We can keep winning if we stay focused as a whole in practice. We can compete with some of the best in the ACC, which has been amazing to be a part of."
Despite not seeing any action in two-plus seasons as a Demon Deacon, Cahill stayed prepared, and was part of a shutout 2-0 upset victory that delivered the 300th win for head coach Tony da Luz at Wake Forest.
The Deacs went back out five days later with Cahill serving as keeper and delivered another shutout victory — this time on the road in Blacksburg, Va., against Virginia Tech.
"It has been so much fun," Cahill said. "Just being able to play has made me so grateful. I know I couldn't have done this without my teammates, coaches and parents. I feel like everyone around me has been supporting me 100 percent through everything. To now finally play has been so rewarding and so much fun."
With fellow goalkeepers Madison Howard and Valentina Amaral out of action, Cahill drew upon the competition between the trio in training over the last few months to carry her performance in back-to-back shutout efforts.
"It's been very competitive," she said. "I'm an extremely competitive person to begin with, so I stay ready knowing that this very situation could arise at any moment. I don't ever want anyone to get hurt or sick to where it comes to this point, but at the drop of a hat, things can happen."
Having already physically prepared for the game, Cahill had to mentally reset after getting the notice she was starting at goalkeeper against the Cavaliers.
"You're gonna kill this," Howard told her. "You're going to be right there."
"They've been very supportive," Cahill said of Howard and Amaral. "As much as I want them to be playing, they want the same for me. They're so supportive of everything I've been doing."
Despite not seeing the field in more than two seasons at Wake Forest, Cahill continued to prepare and was ready to meet the importance of the moment.
"Just knowing no matter what happens during the week that it's important to give it your best effort," she said. "It's all part of God's plan in my eyes. If I'm working as hard as I can and doing everything I can up until the start of the game — staying consistent in practice, watching extra film, and being ready, situations like this can happen."
"I didn't know I was going in, but I was preparing myself. As soon as I found out, I just got myself into a good head space. I took a step back from warming up and centered myself. I knew I was physically ready, so I needed to make sure I was mentally ready."
Of course, being part of such a monumental victory made the moment that much sweeter for Cahill.
"It was surreal," she said. "I didn't know going in, it would have been his 300th win. Obviously I knew it was going to be a tough game, but I had the full trust of my teammates. We were playing for each other in that game, and it showed throughout. Getting into the last 5-10 minutes, it was really gritty. We wanted, not just the win but the shutout. We all relied on each other and played as a team."
Cahill faced eight shots against Virginia and was credited with one save. Communication with the backline is just as important for the Wake Forest defense as the actual saves.
"I can see the entire field, so I can help ensure the backline is in the right spots," Cahill explained. "Communication is key, not only to ensure everyone is on the same page, but from a tactical standpoint everyone knows what I'm supposed to be doing and I know what they're supposed to be doing."
"Everything I've done in practice these last two years, and at home and during the summer, has really paid off. I found out I was ready for this, that I could compete with some of the best players in the country and help my team pull out a big win. I found out I could do this."
Having played soccer in high school and the club level in both Minnesota and Omaha, Neb., it was playing on a team with current Wake Forest teammate Kate Dobsch in Chicago where Cahill was noticed by the Wake Forest coaching staff.
"Tony was at a game watching Kate and started talking to my coaches," she said. "With COVID and everything, it was somewhat of a mess, but I started staying in contact with the staff. Right before National Signing Day, I decided I wanted to commit to Wake Forest."
Her unofficial visit came just days before everything in the country was essentially shut down because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Nobody was there," Cahill said. "We didn't have soccer for one weekend. Looking back on it, it was a sign. We found a flight, came down and toured and went right back home. The next week everything shut down. It was great timing to come down and see the campus."
"I'm so grateful to be able to train here and be able to access Spry Stadium and all the athletic facilities. That was a big factor."
At the time, Cahill was enamored with the Wake Forest School of Business, but is now majoring in history with a minor in art history.
"I want to go to law school and be a corporate lawyer," she said. "I would love to stay here, but there are also three great law schools a short drive from home."
"I still have a year before I have to apply. A lot can change, and we'll see where things are in a year."
After a slow start to her collegiate soccer career, Cahill is seeing a huge amount of growth both on and off the pitch.
"Coming in, I didn't have a great freshman year soccer wise," she said. "So pushing through that to where I am now is kind of a full-circle moment. It's great to see where I've come from, from a soccer perspective. I've been able to grow as a player, and I never imagined that. I've grown as a player and a person, being with such a great program with amazing coaches. This has been more than I ever could have asked for, and that's special."
"Morale is definitely high and we want to keep this going. We can keep winning if we stay focused as a whole in practice. We can compete with some of the best in the ACC, which has been amazing to be a part of."
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
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