Thursday, August 17
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 P.M.
Wake Forest University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
App State
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
App State
0
0
0
Wake Forest
1
0
1
Wake Forest Downs App State, 1-0, to Open 2023 Campaign
8/17/2023 9:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Thursday’s shutout marked the Demon Deacons’ 10th clean sheet in the past two seasons.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Behind a stingy defensive effort, the Wake Forest women's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over in-state opponent App State Thursday evening at Spry Stadium to open the 2023 season.
With the victory, the Demon Deacons (1-0) improved to 16-1-2 in non-conference action over the past three seasons. Additionally, the Deacs improved to 76-8-3 all-time against non-conference in-state opponents.
Senior forward Liv Stowell scored Wake Forest's inaugural goal of the 2023 campaign in the 25th minute when she received a pass from junior midfielder Nikayla Small and fired a shot to the far post that found the back of the net.
Of note, the goal marked Stowell's seventh-career goal and her first since last season's 2-0 victory over Miami (Oct. 9, 2022).
Anchored by junior center back Laurel Ansbrow, the Wake Forest defense suffocated the Mountaineers' offense, allowing only four shots for the contest. Goalkeeper Maddy Howard had an excellent showing in goal for the Deacs, notching a save on each of App State's four attempts.
How It Happened
Demon Deacon Details of Note
Standout Stat
After Thursday's impressive defensive effort, Wake Forest has still yet to concede a goal to App State through five all-time meetings.
Deacs vs. Mountaineers
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"I'm happy we earned 3 points against a solid App State team. We moved the ball well and improved in certain aspects of the game, so we are making progress. Shutouts are an important source of pride for us. Scoring goals early in the season is difficult, and that will be our focus in these next few weeks." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will return to action Sunday, Aug. 20 when they host Army at 12 p.m., as part of Alumni Weekend. Sunday's match can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
With the victory, the Demon Deacons (1-0) improved to 16-1-2 in non-conference action over the past three seasons. Additionally, the Deacs improved to 76-8-3 all-time against non-conference in-state opponents.
Senior forward Liv Stowell scored Wake Forest's inaugural goal of the 2023 campaign in the 25th minute when she received a pass from junior midfielder Nikayla Small and fired a shot to the far post that found the back of the net.
Of note, the goal marked Stowell's seventh-career goal and her first since last season's 2-0 victory over Miami (Oct. 9, 2022).
Anchored by junior center back Laurel Ansbrow, the Wake Forest defense suffocated the Mountaineers' offense, allowing only four shots for the contest. Goalkeeper Maddy Howard had an excellent showing in goal for the Deacs, notching a save on each of App State's four attempts.
How It Happened
- Both teams came out playing a methodical brand of soccer as neither team pressured the opposing team's center backs early.
- Small attempted the Demon Deacons' first shot of the contest in the fifth minute but her attempt was blocked.
- Minutes later, the Deacs nearly struck first as Alex Wood fired a shot that missed just left.
- Over the ensuing five minutes, Wake Forest attempted three shots but was unable to find the net.
- Stowell fired a shot from inside the box that was saved by App State goalkeeper Kerry Eagleston.
- In the 25th minute, Small found Stowell, who blasted a shot towards the far post.
- Stowell's goal marked the Deacs' first goal of the 2023 campaign.
- Seven minutes later, Wood and Olivia Duvall both fired shots but Wake Forest was unable to extend its lead.
- Junior transfer Emily Murphy entered the contest in the 37th minute, marking her first appearance as a Demon Deacon.
- Over the final 14 minutes of the first half, the Demon Deacons attempted three shots, while holding App State to no shots.
- Wake Forest took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
- In the first half, the Deacs held an impressive 13-0 shot advantage.
- Four of the Demon Deacons' 13 attempts were on target.
- Defensively, Wake Forest held App State shotless in the opening 45.
- In the first half, the Deacs held an impressive 13-0 shot advantage.
- The Mountaineers came out aggressive in the second half, attempting two shots that required saves from Wake Forest goalkeeper Maddy Howard.
- The Deacs' best opportunity of the second half came in the 62nd minute when Allie Schmidt attempted a shot that was narrowly off frame and blocked by an App State defender.
- On the rebound, Carly Wilson attempted a shot that was just blocked by a Mountaineer defender.
- Laurel Ansbrow and Caiya Hanks both attempted shots over the following four minutes but were unable to find the net.
- Both sides ramped up their physicality down the stretch as the final 12 minutes featured three fouls and one yellow card.
- App State nearly tied the ledger with just over six minutes remaining, but Howard corralled the attempt.
- Minutes later, Kristi Vierra attempted her first shot of the season, but the attempt was blocked.
- Despite a resilient effort from App State, Wake Forest held on defensively to win the contest, 1-0.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
- Junior transfer Emily Murphy entered the match in the 37th minute, marking her first appearance as a Demon Deacon.
- In her first-career appearance, freshman Dempsey Brown started and played the full 90 minutes.
- After tallying five goals a season ago, sophomore forward Alex Wood led the Deacs with four shots Thursday.
- Thursday marked the 20th-career appearance for Wood, Hanks and Wilson.
Standout Stat
After Thursday's impressive defensive effort, Wake Forest has still yet to concede a goal to App State through five all-time meetings.
Deacs vs. Mountaineers
| Date | Score | Winner |
| Aug. 17, 2023 | 1-0 | Wake Forest |
| Sept. 5, 2021 | 2-0 | Wake Forest |
| Aug. 25, 2019 | 2-0 | Wake Forest |
| Sept. 20, 1995 | 3-0 | Wake Forest |
| Oct. 5, 1994 | 3-0 | Wake Forest |
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"I'm happy we earned 3 points against a solid App State team. We moved the ball well and improved in certain aspects of the game, so we are making progress. Shutouts are an important source of pride for us. Scoring goals early in the season is difficult, and that will be our focus in these next few weeks." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will return to action Sunday, Aug. 20 when they host Army at 12 p.m., as part of Alumni Weekend. Sunday's match can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Team Stats
APP
WFU
Goals
0
1
Shots
4
21
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
6
4
Corners
2
5
Fouls
10
10
Scoring Plays
Olivia Stowell (1)
Assisted By: Nikayla Small
GOAL by WFU Stowell, Olivia Assist by Small, Nikayla.
24:40
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
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