Thursday, August 31
Auburn, AL
7:30 P.M.
Wake Forest University
at
Auburn
Deacs Primed for Clash with Auburn Thursday
8/30/2023 11:21:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Wake Forest is looking to improve to 3-1-1 against the Tigers all-time.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – For the second-straight match, the Wake Forest women's soccer team will face a Power Five road test when it travels to face Auburn on Thursday at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed on SEC Network+.
Need to Know - Game 5
Wake Forest (3-0-1) at Auburn (3-0-1)
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. ET - SEC Network+
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn Soccer Complex
Deacs vs. Tigers
Dynamic Wings
Forwards Caiya Hanks and Liv Stowell both rank in the top 10 in the ACC in goals to start the 2023 season. Additionally, Hanks and Stowell rank second in game-winning goals with one apiece.
Of note, Hanks ranks seventh in the league in shots on goal.
Goals (ACC)
Playmaking Extraordinaire
Junior midfielder Nikayla Small currently leads the ACC in assists with three on the season. The 2021 ACC All-Freshman selection is averaging an impressive .750 assists per game after notching assists against App State, Army and Purdue.
Let It Fly
The Demon Deacons have attempted 20.75 shots per game this season, which ranks fifth in the ACC and 21st nationally.
Shots Per Game (ACC)
Stout Defense
Wake Forest has shined defensively to open the 2023 season, ranking third in the ACC and 12th nationally in goals-against-average through its first four matches.
Goals-Against-Average (ACC)
Last Time Out (Against Purdue)
Behind goals from sophomore midfielder Carly Wilson and junior forward Emily Murphy, Wake Forest defeated Big Ten foe Purdue, 2-0, Sunday at Folk Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
The victory marked the Demon Deacons' (3-0-1) second-straight win and extended their unbeaten streak in regular season, non-conference matches to 20. Additionally, Sunday's win improved Wake Forest to a solid 28-14-3 against the Big Ten all-time.
Facing its first Power Five opponent of the season, the Demon Deacons used a strategic offensive attack to hand the Boilermakers (2-2) their second loss of the 2023 campaign.
After back-and-forth action over the opening 44 minutes of play, junior midfielder Nikayla Small eluded a defender and found Wilson streaking down the left side of the pitch. Wilson then blasted a strike past the Purdue goalkeeper, notching her first-career goal and giving the Deacs a 1-0 advantage.
In the 79th minute, Small was taken down inside the 18, resulting in a Wake Forest penalty kick. Murphy fired the PK to the left corner, past the Purdue keeper, extending the Deacs' lead to 2-0.
Wake Forest then displayed its defensive prowess over the final 10 minutes of play to seal its second-consecutive victory and to remain unbeaten on the 2023 season.
Auburn Breakdown
Series History (Wake Forest vs. Auburn)
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
Of note, the Demon Deacons tallied nine shutouts in 17 matches a season ago.
Up Next
The Deacs will return home to square off with Iona Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The match can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed on SEC Network+.
Need to Know - Game 5
Wake Forest (3-0-1) at Auburn (3-0-1)
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. ET - SEC Network+
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn Soccer Complex
Deacs vs. Tigers
- Wake Forest (3-0-1) will be looking to extend its unbeaten stretch against non-conference opponents in the regular season to 21, as the Deacs have posted a 17-0-3 record in such contests over the last three seasons.
- The Demon Deacons have the 12th best goals-against average in the nation (.250/game) and third in the ACC.
- Of note, the Deacs have earned three shutouts across the first four matches.
- Auburn (3-0-1) is currently on a three-match win streak after an opening day 0-0 draw at home with Samford.
- It most recently defeated Army, 3-2, after a 62nd minute winner from Anna Haddock.
- Wake Forest finished 2022 ranked 50th in the RPI, while Auburn finished 55th.
Dynamic Wings
Forwards Caiya Hanks and Liv Stowell both rank in the top 10 in the ACC in goals to start the 2023 season. Additionally, Hanks and Stowell rank second in game-winning goals with one apiece.
Of note, Hanks ranks seventh in the league in shots on goal.
Goals (ACC)
| Rank | Name | GP | No. | Avg/G |
| 1. | Sarah Schupansky (Pitt) | 4 | 4 | 1.000 |
| Maggie Cagle (Virginia) | 4 | 4 | 1.000 | |
| 3. | Allie Ross (Virginia) | 4 | 3 | .750 |
| Kat Radar (Duke) | 3 | 3 | 1.000 | |
| Eva Gaetino (Notre Dame) | 4 | 3 | .750 | |
| Samantha Meredith (Clemson) | 4 | 3 | .750 | |
| Ella Richards (Boston College) | 4 | 3 | .750 | |
| 8. | Hannah Pilley (Syracuse) | 4 | 2 | .500 |
| Caiya Hanks (Wake Forest) | 4 | 2 | .500 | |
| Liv Stowell (Wake Forest) | 4 | 2 | .500 |
Playmaking Extraordinaire
Junior midfielder Nikayla Small currently leads the ACC in assists with three on the season. The 2021 ACC All-Freshman selection is averaging an impressive .750 assists per game after notching assists against App State, Army and Purdue.
Let It Fly
The Demon Deacons have attempted 20.75 shots per game this season, which ranks fifth in the ACC and 21st nationally.
Shots Per Game (ACC)
| Rank | Team | Games | Shots Per Game |
| 1. | Clemson | 4 | 23.25 |
| 2. | Virginia | 4 | 22.75 |
| 3. | Pitt | 4 | 22.00 |
| 4. | North Carolina | 4 | 21.25 |
| 5. | Wake Forest | 4 | 20.75 |
Stout Defense
Wake Forest has shined defensively to open the 2023 season, ranking third in the ACC and 12th nationally in goals-against-average through its first four matches.
Goals-Against-Average (ACC)
| Rank | Team | GAA |
| 1. | Clemson | .000 |
| Virginia | .000 | |
| 3. | Wake Forest | .250 |
| North Carolina | .250 | |
| Virginia Tech | .250 |
Last Time Out (Against Purdue)
Behind goals from sophomore midfielder Carly Wilson and junior forward Emily Murphy, Wake Forest defeated Big Ten foe Purdue, 2-0, Sunday at Folk Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
The victory marked the Demon Deacons' (3-0-1) second-straight win and extended their unbeaten streak in regular season, non-conference matches to 20. Additionally, Sunday's win improved Wake Forest to a solid 28-14-3 against the Big Ten all-time.
Facing its first Power Five opponent of the season, the Demon Deacons used a strategic offensive attack to hand the Boilermakers (2-2) their second loss of the 2023 campaign.
After back-and-forth action over the opening 44 minutes of play, junior midfielder Nikayla Small eluded a defender and found Wilson streaking down the left side of the pitch. Wilson then blasted a strike past the Purdue goalkeeper, notching her first-career goal and giving the Deacs a 1-0 advantage.
In the 79th minute, Small was taken down inside the 18, resulting in a Wake Forest penalty kick. Murphy fired the PK to the left corner, past the Purdue keeper, extending the Deacs' lead to 2-0.
Wake Forest then displayed its defensive prowess over the final 10 minutes of play to seal its second-consecutive victory and to remain unbeaten on the 2023 season.
Auburn Breakdown
- Auburn has outscored its opponents, 10-3, across its first four matches with a pair of clean sheets to open the season.
- The Tigers have accumulated 60 shots (15.0/game) and allowed just 25 (6.3/game) to this point in the season.
- As a team, they rank 17th in the nation and first in the SEC in total assists with 12.
- They are led by senior midfielder Anna Haddock, who leads the team with six points.
- Haddock has tallied two game winning goals against Army (8/27) and Troy (8/20) in addition to a pair of assists.
- In goal, senior captain Maddie Prohaska is expected to make her second-career start against the Deacs.
- Last season, she tallied five saves en route to a clean sheet at Spry Stadium.
Series History (Wake Forest vs. Auburn)
- This is the fifth meeting all-time between the two schools as the Deacs hold a 2-1-1 record over the Tigers.
- The first meeting took place in 1994 - the inaugural season for the Wake Forest program.
- It was the Deacs' first-ever home non-conference game.
- The Tigers won, 3-1.
- It was the Deacs' first-ever home non-conference game.
- Last season, the teams battled to a 0-0 draw in Winston-Salem.
Key Players to Watch
- Laurel Ansbrow (Captain)
- Has logged a team-high 341 minutes to open the 2023 campaign.
- 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.
- Caiya Hanks
- Currently leading the Deacs in shots (11) and shots on goal (6), while being tied for the team-lead in goals (2) and points (5).
- Scored with just over four minutes remaining against Army to equalize, before scoring the Deacs' first goal against Idaho State last Thursday.
- Earned ACC All-Freshman honors last season after starting in all 19 matches.
- Logged a team-high 41 shots last season.
- Nikayla Small
- Tallied assists on three of Wake Forest's seven 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
| 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
The Deacs will return home to square off with Iona Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The match can be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
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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Forward
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Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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Defender
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Midfielder
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