Sunday, October 29
Clemson, SC
6:00 p.m.

Wake Forest University

10-3-5, 4-2-4

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at
1

#3 Clemson

14-2-3, 7-2-1

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2
F
Wake Forest
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Clemson
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Caiya Hanks
Photo by: FGG ZCOACH

Wake Forest Falls to Third-Seeded Clemson, 1-0, in Quarterfinals of 2023 Ally ACC Women’s Soccer Tournament

10/29/2023 8:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Demon Deacons will now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 6.

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Wake Forest women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to third-seeded and No. 8-ranked Clemson Sunday evening in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Ally ACC Women's Soccer Tournament at Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, S.C.
 
After allowing a goal in the second minute Sunday, the Demon Deacons settled in and controlled possession, but were unable to find the equalizer.
 
Clemson held a slight edge in shots at 8-to-7, while shots on goal finished even at three apiece.
 
Sophomore forward Caiya Hanks and junior midfielders Emily Morris and Abbie Colton, tallied two shots apiece. Of note, Colton led the Demon Deacons with two shots on goal.
 
Hanks, along with junior defenders Laurel Ansbrow, Kristin Johnson and freshman Dempsey Brown, played the full 90 minutes. It marked the 13th time this season Ansbrow played the full 90 and the 28th time of her career.
 
During the 2023 regular season, Wake Forest recorded only two losses, setting a new program record with the previous mark being set at three in 2011. Of note, Sunday marked the first time this season the Demon Deacons were shut out.
 
How It Happened
  • Clemson took a 1-0 lead in the second minute on a goal from Mackenzie Duff.
    • Abbie Colton attempted the Deacs' first shot less than two minutes later, but it was saved by Clemson's keeper.
  • After settling into the match, Wake Forest began to control the tempo offensively.
  • In the 21st minute, Emily Morris fired a shot that went just over the woodwork.
    • Minutes later, Morris attempted a free kick that was saved by the Tigers' keeper.
  • Caiya Hanks attempted the Demon Deacons' fourth shot of the match in the 28th minute but her attempt sailed off frame.
  • Both sides stepped up their defensive pressure to end the half.
  • Clemson held a 1-0 lead at the halftime break.
    • Despite trailing after 45 minutes of action, the Demon Deacons held a 2-1 shots on goal advantage.
  • The Deacs came out aggressive in the second half, pressuring Clemson's defense.
  • In the 59th minute, Hanks broke free down the pitch and nearly found the equalizer, but her shot ricocheted off the right post.
  • Wake Forest continued to push forward offensively, coming away with several opportunities.
    • Alex Wood nearly evened the ledger in the 84th minute but her shot deflected off the crossbar
  • The Demon Deacons were unable to find the equalizer, as they fell to the Tigers, 1-0.
 
Demon Deacon Details of Note  
Standout Stat
  • Hanks, Ansbrow, K. Johnson and Brown played the full 90 minutes.
    • It marked the 13th time this season Ansbrow played the full 90 and the 28th time of her career.
    • Johnson and Brown accomplished the feat together for the 12th time this season.
    • It was just the second time Hanks had gone the distance this season, with the other instance coming against NC State on Sept. 21.
 
2023 Season Highlights
  • Wake Forest finished the regular season with just two losses, setting a new program record with the previous mark being set at three in 2011.
  • This season also marked the first time in program history the Deacs were not shut out in a single game in the regular season.
  • As a team, the Demon Deacons allowed just 15 goals all season, which set a new program record by two goals allowed (2021).
  • The Deacs earned eight shutouts throughout the season.
    • Heading into Sunday's match, their .529 shutout percentage ranked third in the ACC and 35th in the nation.
  • Wake Forest ranked fifth in the ACC and 56th nationally with a .824 GAA through its 17 regular-season matches.
    • Additionally, the Deacs only conceded twice in non-conference play.
  • The Deacs were led by sophomore forward Caiya Hanks, who tallied six goals and five assists for a team-high 17 points.
    • Hanks' 1.0 points per-game in the regular season was good for 12th in the ACC and 142nd in the nation.
  • Junior forward Emily Murphy made an instant impact after transferring in from North Carolina, the Chelsea academy product racked up six goals, two assists and 14 total points for second on the team.
  • The Deacs made their second appearance in the ACC tournament in three years.
  • Junior goalkeeper Payton Cahill finished her first true regular season with a record of 4-1-3 and allowed just five goals in eight starts.
  • Against ranked opponents, the team picked up a dominant 2-0 home victory over then-No. 22 Virginia and an electric 1-1 draw with then-No. 3 North Carolina.
  • Nikayla Small's seven assists marked a career-high, as she finished the regular season fifth in the ACC and 40th nationally.
  • The Demon Deacons attempted 16.18 shots per game in the regular season, which ranked sixth in the ACC and 43rd nationally.
    • Additionally, the Deacs ranked fifth in the ACC in shots on goal per game with 7.12.
  • Freshman Dempsey Brown was a crucial part of the Demon Deacons' back line and midfield throughout the season.
    • She started 16 of Wake Forest's 18 games and played the full 90 minutes in 12 matches.
      • She led all freshmen on the team with 1,355 minutes played.
  • Captain Laurel Ansbrow led the team with 1,532 minutes played, while leading one of the best back lines in the nation.
    • In the regular-season finale, the junior headed-home what would go down as the game-winning goal to help secure a place in the ACC Tournament.
 
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"The difference was an early mistake and the post. We performed very well overall, and I'm proud of this group. We have to learn from this and improve. Thanks to a great group of seniors."
 
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 6.
 
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
 

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Team Stats

WFU
CU
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
8
Shots on Goal
3
3
Saves
2
3
Corners
0
4
Fouls
10
18
Scoring Plays
Logo

Mackenzie Duff (5)

GOAL by CU Duff, Mackenzie.

01:48

Game Leaders

9

Caiya Hanks

mid
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
13

Emily Morris

mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
33

Abbie Colton

def
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
16

Alex Wood

fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0

Players Mentioned

34

Laurel Ansbrow

Defender
/ Women's Soccer
6

Dempsey Brown

Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
35

Payton Cahill

Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
33

Abbie Colton

Defender
/ Women's Soccer
9

Caiya Hanks

Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
20

Hannah Johnson

Forward
/ Women's Soccer
7

Kristin Johnson

Defender
/ Women's Soccer
13

Emily Morris

Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
35

Emily Murphy

Forward
/ Women's Soccer
4

Nikayla Small

Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
16

Alex Wood

Forward
/ Women's Soccer

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