Sunday, August 27
West Lafayette, IN
1:00 P.M.
Wake Forest University
at
Purdue
Wake Forest Travels for First-Ever Meeting with Purdue Sunday
8/26/2023 10:51:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Demon Deacons hold a 27-14-3 record against the Big Ten all-time.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In a pivotal early-season matchup, the Wake Forest women's soccer team will travel to face Big Ten opponent Purdue Sunday at Folk Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed on Big Ten+.
Need to Know - Game 4
Wake Forest (2-0-1) at Purdue (2-1-0)
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 - 1 p.m. - Big Ten+
West Lafayette, Ind. - Folk Field
Deacs vs. Boilermakers
Let It Fly
The Demon Deacons have attempted 24.33 shots per game this season, which ranks second in the ACC and seventh nationally.
Shots Per Game (Top 10 - Nationally)
Stout Defense
Wake Forest has shined defensively to open the 2023 season, ranking fourth in the ACC and 25th nationally in goals allowed through its first three matches.
Goals Allowed (ACC)
Controlling Possession
Over their first three matches, the Demon Deacons have controlled possession 64 percent, compared to only 36 percent for their opponents. A stellar 28.3 percent of the Deacs' possession has come in the attacking quarter of the pitch.
Of note, Wake Forest's opponents this season have only had possession in the final quarter at an average of 15 percent.
Last Time Out (Against Idaho State)
Behind a dynamic offensive attack and a stout defensive effort, Wake Forest defeated Idaho State, 3-0, Thursday at Spry Stadium.
The Demon Deacons used a perfect blend of progression and possession en route to their 18th win at Spry Stadium over the past three seasons.
Wake Forest struck first Thursday as junior forward Emily Murphy received the ball with her back to goal and turned to find junior defender Tyla Ochoa in the box. Ochoa then played a low ball across goal, where sophomore forward Caiya Hanks slotted it home to give the Deacs a 1-0 advantage.
Less than three minutes later, the Demon Deacons extended their lead when junior midfielder Nikayla Small cut off a pass that was picked up by fellow junior midfielder Anna Swanson. Swanson then played a perfect ball to Stowell for a strong right-footed finish to the keeper's left.
The Deacs' final goal of the match came in the 60th minute when Hanks picked it off an Idaho State defender, before finding Murphy on the edge of the box. Murphy took a few touches and fired it into the bottom left corner, giving the Deacs a 3-0 lead.
As a team, Wake Forest had its best offensive showing of the 2023 campaign, attempting a season-high 34 shots, with 10 coming on target. Of note, a season-high 18 Demon Deacons attempted a shot Thursday.
Defensively, the Deacs held Idaho State to zero shot attempts, marking the first time the Bengals had been held shotless since Sept. 6, 2021.
Purdue Breakdown
Series History (Wake Forest vs. Purdue)
For the third-consecutive game, the Demon Deacons will be matched up with an opponent they have never faced in their 30-year history.
Key Players to Watch
Highlighted by the addition of North Carolina transfer forward Emily Murphy, Wake Forest added six newcomers to the program entering the 2023 season.
Of note, the Demon Deacons' freshman class - goalkeeper Valentina Amaral (Florida Kraze/Krush – No. 19), forward Sierra Sythe (Beach FC – No. 75), midfielder Dempsey Brown (Orlando City), midfielder MJ Osborne (MVLA) and defender Sammi Wiemann (San Diego Surf) - ranked 29th nationally, according to TopDrawerSoccer.
Lockdown Defense
Led by returning defenders Laurel Ansbrow, Kristin Johnson and Zara Chavoshi, Wake Forest's defense led the ACC in goals allowed last season with 16.
Goals Allowed (ACC - 2022)
Of note, the Demon Deacons tallied nine shutouts in 17 matches a season ago.
Up Next
Wake Forest will continue its two-match road swing when it travels to face Auburn on Thursday (Aug. 31) at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed on Big Ten+.
Need to Know - Game 4
Wake Forest (2-0-1) at Purdue (2-1-0)
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 - 1 p.m. - Big Ten+
West Lafayette, Ind. - Folk Field
Deacs vs. Boilermakers
- The Deacs are an impressive 27-14-3 against the Big Ten's current members all-time, with the most recent victory coming against Maryland last season.
- Wake Forest (2-0-1) will be looking to extend its unbeaten stretch against non-conference opponents in the regular season to 20, as the Deacs have posted a 16-0-3 record in such contests over the last three seasons.
- Purdue (2-1-0) is looking to match its win total from a year ago as the Boilermakers won a total of three games last season.
- Purdue has presented a well-balanced attack this season with eight of their 12 goals being scored by different Boilermakers.
- Of note, four of the goals have been first career goals.
- Wake Forest finished 2022 ranked 50th in the RPI, while Purdue finished 186th.
Let It Fly
The Demon Deacons have attempted 24.33 shots per game this season, which ranks second in the ACC and seventh nationally.
Shots Per Game (Top 10 - Nationally)
| Rank | Team | Games | Shots Per Game |
| 1. | Arkansas Pine Bluff | 3 | 28.00 |
| South Alabama | 3 | 28.00 | |
| 3. | Clemson | 3 | 27.67 |
| 4. | Arkansas | 2 | 27.00 |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 27.00 | |
| 6. | Nebraska | 3 | 26.67 |
| 7. | Wake Forest | 3 | 24.33 |
| 8. | George Washington | 2 | 23.50 |
| 9. | Notre Dame | 3 | 23.33 |
| Stanford | 3 | 23.33 |
Stout Defense
Wake Forest has shined defensively to open the 2023 season, ranking fourth in the ACC and 25th nationally in goals allowed through its first three matches.
Goals Allowed (ACC)
| Rank | Team | Goals Allowed |
| 1. | Clemson | 0 |
| Virginia | 0 | |
| Virginia Tech | 0 | |
| 4. | Wake Forest | 1 |
| Miami | 1 | |
| North Carolina | 1 |
Controlling Possession
Over their first three matches, the Demon Deacons have controlled possession 64 percent, compared to only 36 percent for their opponents. A stellar 28.3 percent of the Deacs' possession has come in the attacking quarter of the pitch.
Of note, Wake Forest's opponents this season have only had possession in the final quarter at an average of 15 percent.
Last Time Out (Against Idaho State)
Behind a dynamic offensive attack and a stout defensive effort, Wake Forest defeated Idaho State, 3-0, Thursday at Spry Stadium.
The Demon Deacons used a perfect blend of progression and possession en route to their 18th win at Spry Stadium over the past three seasons.
Wake Forest struck first Thursday as junior forward Emily Murphy received the ball with her back to goal and turned to find junior defender Tyla Ochoa in the box. Ochoa then played a low ball across goal, where sophomore forward Caiya Hanks slotted it home to give the Deacs a 1-0 advantage.
Less than three minutes later, the Demon Deacons extended their lead when junior midfielder Nikayla Small cut off a pass that was picked up by fellow junior midfielder Anna Swanson. Swanson then played a perfect ball to Stowell for a strong right-footed finish to the keeper's left.
The Deacs' final goal of the match came in the 60th minute when Hanks picked it off an Idaho State defender, before finding Murphy on the edge of the box. Murphy took a few touches and fired it into the bottom left corner, giving the Deacs a 3-0 lead.
As a team, Wake Forest had its best offensive showing of the 2023 campaign, attempting a season-high 34 shots, with 10 coming on target. Of note, a season-high 18 Demon Deacons attempted a shot Thursday.
Defensively, the Deacs held Idaho State to zero shot attempts, marking the first time the Bengals had been held shotless since Sept. 6, 2021.
Purdue Breakdown
- Purdue opened the 2023 season with a loss to 24th-ranked UCF, but the Boilermakers have won consecutive matches against Iona and Valparaiso, improving to 2-1 on the year.
- Purdue outscored Iona and Valparaiso by a combined ledger of 12-1.
- The Boilermakers have outshot their opponents 51-25 this season, allowing only 8.3 shots per match.
- Of note, 26 of Purdue's 51 shots have come on target.
- The Boilermakers' top offensive threat this season so far has been junior forward Gracie Dunaway.
- Dunaway leads the team in goals (3), shots (15) and shots on goal (6).
- The Mars, Pa., native recorded a brace in the 8-0 victory over Iona.
- Sophomore Kayla Budish also recorded a brace against Iona.
- Dunaway leads the team in goals (3), shots (15) and shots on goal (6).
- Coming into the 2023 campaign, Dunaway, Budish and senior midfielder Emily Matthews were named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List.
- Senior goalkeeper Charlotte Cyr has started all three games in goal, accumulating a 0.72 goals-against-average (GAA), while tallying eight saves.
- Last season, Purdue recorded a 3-11-3 record overall and a 0-7-3 ledger in Big Ten play.
- They bagged 19 goals across the 17 game schedule, while allowing 35.
Series History (Wake Forest vs. Purdue)
For the third-consecutive game, the Demon Deacons will be matched up with an opponent they have never faced in their 30-year history.
Key Players to Watch
- Laurel Ansbrow (Captain)
- Played in all 19 matches, while starting in 17 a season ago.
- Led all outfield players in minutes with 1,579.
- Anchored the Demon Deacon backline to nine clean sheets last year.
- Played in all 19 matches, while starting in 17 a season ago.
- Caiya Hanks
- Currently leading the Deacs in points (5) and shots (9), while being tied for the team-lead in goals (2) and shots on goal (4).
- Scored with just over four minutes remaining against Army to equalize, before scoring the Deacs' first goal against Idaho State Thursday.
- Earned ACC All-Freshman honors last season after starting in all 19 matches.
- Logged a team-high 41 shots last season.
- Liv Stowell
- Scored Wake Forest's first goal of the 2023 campaign in the opener against App State, before recording her second goal against Idaho State Thursday.
- Started in all 19 matches last season, while leading the team in points with 14.
- Tied for the team lead in goals (5) and assists (4) a season ago.
- Nikayla Small
- Tallied assists on two of Wake Forest's five goals to start the 2023 season.
- Garnered All-ACC Freshman Team honors in 2021, before suffering a season-ending injury last season.
Highlighted by the addition of North Carolina transfer forward Emily Murphy, Wake Forest added six newcomers to the program entering the 2023 season.
Of note, the Demon Deacons' freshman class - goalkeeper Valentina Amaral (Florida Kraze/Krush – No. 19), forward Sierra Sythe (Beach FC – No. 75), midfielder Dempsey Brown (Orlando City), midfielder MJ Osborne (MVLA) and defender Sammi Wiemann (San Diego Surf) - ranked 29th nationally, according to TopDrawerSoccer.
Lockdown Defense
Led by returning defenders Laurel Ansbrow, Kristin Johnson and Zara Chavoshi, Wake Forest's defense led the ACC in goals allowed last season with 16.
Goals Allowed (ACC - 2022)
| Rank | Team | Goals Allowed |
| 1. | Wake Forest | 16 |
| Notre Dame | 16 | |
| 3. | Virginia | 17 |
| 4. | Clemson | 19 |
| 5. | North Carolina | 20 |
| Florida State | 20 | |
| 7. | Pitt | 21 |
| 8. | Louisville | 22 |
| Miami | 22 | |
| 10. | Duke | 23 |
| 11. | Syracuse | 24 |
| 12. | Virginia Tech | 28 |
| 13. | Boston College | 30 |
| 14. | NC State | 31 |
Of note, the Demon Deacons tallied nine shutouts in 17 matches a season ago.
Up Next
Wake Forest will continue its two-match road swing when it travels to face Auburn on Thursday (Aug. 31) at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Defender
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Forward
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Defender
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Forward
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Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
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