Friday, September 15
South Bend, Ind.
7:00 P.M.
Wake Forest University
1
at
3
#13 Notre Dame
Wake Forest Falls to No. 13 Notre Dame
9/15/2023 10:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Demon Deacons will return home to host NC State Thursday.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Wake Forest women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to No. 13 Notre Dame Friday evening at Alumni Soccer Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
The loss marked the Demon Deacons' (6-1-1, 0-1 ACC) first of the 2023 campaign and snapped the Deacs' five-match winning streak.
Sophomore forward Caiya Hanks scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 85th minute Friday on an assist from junior midfielder Nikayla Small.
Notre Dame's (5-1-2, 1-0 ACC) three goals scored Friday marked the first time this season that Wake Forest had allowed multiple goals in a contest. Additionally, the Irish's three goals were the most the Demon Deacons had allowed since last season's 3-0 loss to the Fighting Irish.
After missing the first seven matches of the season, junior midfielder Malaika Meena made her first appearance of the 2023 campaign Friday. Of note, Meena started in 17 matches a season ago and accumulated 1239 minutes.
How It Happened
Standout Stats
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"We lost to a very good team on the road today. Our performance was solid but we switched off and paid the price. We responded well in the second half and adapted to a new system. Caiya (Hanks) scored a nice goal but it was too late. It was great to get Malaika (Meena) back who was pretty sharp in her return. We'll learn. Now, we turn to the next game on Thursday." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
Wake Forest will now return to Spry Stadium for a two-match home stand against NC State (Sept. 21) and No. 20 Virginia (Sept. 24).
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
The loss marked the Demon Deacons' (6-1-1, 0-1 ACC) first of the 2023 campaign and snapped the Deacs' five-match winning streak.
Sophomore forward Caiya Hanks scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 85th minute Friday on an assist from junior midfielder Nikayla Small.
Notre Dame's (5-1-2, 1-0 ACC) three goals scored Friday marked the first time this season that Wake Forest had allowed multiple goals in a contest. Additionally, the Irish's three goals were the most the Demon Deacons had allowed since last season's 3-0 loss to the Fighting Irish.
After missing the first seven matches of the season, junior midfielder Malaika Meena made her first appearance of the 2023 campaign Friday. Of note, Meena started in 17 matches a season ago and accumulated 1239 minutes.
How It Happened
- The Demon Deacons' first shot attempt came in the fourth minute when Abbie Colton sent a header that was saved by the Notre Dame keeper.
- In the sixth minute, Notre Dame took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Kristina Lynch.
- The Irish had another opportunity three minutes later, but it was saved by Madison Howard.
- Minutes later, Caiya Hanks broke free down the left side of the pitch and blasted a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar.
- Both sides stepped up their physicality over the ensuing five minutes.
- The Demon Deacons earned their first corner of the match in the 28th minute as Hanks continued to pressure the Notre Dame back line.
- Notre Dame extended its lead to 2-0 on a set piece with just over two minutes remaining in the first half.
- The Fighting Irish held a 2-0 lead at the halftime break.
- Nikayla Small attempted Wake Forest's first shot of the second half in the 56th minute but it was saved by the Fighting Irish's keeper.
- Wake Forest settled into the match over the ensuing 10 minutes of play and pressured Notre Dame's defense.
- The Fighting Irish scored in the 78th minute to take a 3-0 lead.
- The Demon Deacons had several near scoring opportunities over the following 10 minutes.
- Hanks notched Wake Forest's first tally of the match in the 85th minute on an assist from Small.
- The Deacs continued to attack, but Notre Dame held on for the 3-1 victory.
Standout Stats
- Despite falling 3-1 Friday, Wake Forest controlled possession 51 percent against Notre Dame.
- Junior midfielder Nikayla Small notched her sixth assist of the season on Caiya Hanks' 85th minute goal.
- Coming into Friday, Small led the ACC in assists.
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"We lost to a very good team on the road today. Our performance was solid but we switched off and paid the price. We responded well in the second half and adapted to a new system. Caiya (Hanks) scored a nice goal but it was too late. It was great to get Malaika (Meena) back who was pretty sharp in her return. We'll learn. Now, we turn to the next game on Thursday." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
Wake Forest will now return to Spry Stadium for a two-match home stand against NC State (Sept. 21) and No. 20 Virginia (Sept. 24).
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerFootball Media Availability (10/16/25)
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