Sunday, September 3
Winston-Salem, N.C.
1:00 P.M.
Wake Forest University
6
vs
0
Iona
Demon Deacons Record Fourth-Straight Win in 6-0 Victory Over Iona
9/3/2023 4:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper Madison Howard scored her first-career goal in the 51st minute.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Behind a high-powered offensive attack, the Wake Forest women's soccer team defeated Iona in the first-ever meeting between the two teams, 6-0, Sunday evening at Spry Stadium.
The victory marked Wake Forest's 19th home victory over the past three seasons and its first-ever win against a MAAC opponent.
The Demon Deacons' six goals scored Sunday marked the most they've scored in a match since last season's 7-0 victory over High Point. Additionally, six different Deacs notched a tally, including senior goalkeeper Madison Howard.
As a team, Wake Forest attempted a season-high 41 shots with 21 coming on frame. Of note, 14 different players fired a shot Sunday, including eight that attempted three or more. Junior Emily Morris and sophomore Hannah Johnson paced the Deacs with six shots apiece.
The Demon Deacons' offensive onslaught was led by junior midfielder Nikayla Small as she registered two assists, bringing her season total to five through six matches.
Defensively, the Deacs had one their best performances of the season, only relinquishing one shot - which was off target. Wake Forest has now recorded five clean sheets to open the season, while allowing only one goal on the campaign.
How It Happened
Demon Deacon Details of Note
Standout Stat
Wake Forest attempted a season-high 41 shots, including 21 that were on frame. Of note, coming into Sunday's contest, the Deacs ranked fifth in the ACC in total shots this season.
Shots - ACC (Prior to Sunday)
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"It was a great senior day for Maddy Howard. A shutout and a goal scored is a decent day for a goalkeeper. We started well but settled for shots from distance. We talked about getting behind them and into the 18 after the water break. We were more effective penetrating their 18 yard box for the rest of the game and scored some nice goals. Iona never gave up, keeping us honest with some counter attacks. The players who finished the game were very good, creating lots of chances and defending well. I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip to Rhode Island." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now hit the road for consecutive non-conference road matches against Rhode Island (Sept. 7) and Brown (Sept. 10), before opening ACC play against Notre Dame (Sept. 15).
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
The victory marked Wake Forest's 19th home victory over the past three seasons and its first-ever win against a MAAC opponent.
The Demon Deacons' six goals scored Sunday marked the most they've scored in a match since last season's 7-0 victory over High Point. Additionally, six different Deacs notched a tally, including senior goalkeeper Madison Howard.
As a team, Wake Forest attempted a season-high 41 shots with 21 coming on frame. Of note, 14 different players fired a shot Sunday, including eight that attempted three or more. Junior Emily Morris and sophomore Hannah Johnson paced the Deacs with six shots apiece.
The Demon Deacons' offensive onslaught was led by junior midfielder Nikayla Small as she registered two assists, bringing her season total to five through six matches.
Defensively, the Deacs had one their best performances of the season, only relinquishing one shot - which was off target. Wake Forest has now recorded five clean sheets to open the season, while allowing only one goal on the campaign.
How It Happened
- Alex Wood attempted the Deacs' first shot in the fourth minute, but her attempt was saved by the Iona keeper.
- 90 seconds later, Emily Morris fired a left footer from just outside the 18 that was blocked.
- As a result, Wake Forest earned its first corner of the match.
- 90 seconds later, Emily Morris fired a left footer from just outside the 18 that was blocked.
- The Demon Deacons tallied three shots over the first 15 minutes, compared to zero for Iona.
- Over the ensuing four minutes, the Deacs continued to pressure Iona's defense.
- Wood and Morris both attempted shots from outside the box.
- Nikayla Small had Wake Forest's best opportunity early when she blasted a strike but her attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.
- Just after Small's shot, the match entered a hydration break.
- Out of the break, Zara Chavoshi won a ball down the right side of the pitch and found Anna Swanson. Swanson then crossed a perfect ball to Wood, who found the net for her second tally of the season.
- Nine minutes later, the Demon Deacons extended their lead to 2-0 when Morris fired a shot to the bottom right corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
- Small and Kristin Johnson both tallied assists on the goal.
- Wake Forest registered three shots over the following eight minutes.
- The Demon Deacons took a 3-0 lead in the 41st minute when Small found Olivia Duvall at the top of the box. Duvall put on an array of moves before finding the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
- The Deacs held a 3-0 at the halftime break.
- Through 45 minutes of action, Wake Forest owned a 21-1 shot advantage.
- The Demon Deacons extended their lead to four when Hannah Johnson was taken down in the box by an Iona defender, resulting in a penalty kick.
- Head coach Tony da Luz called goalkeeper Madison Howard to the spot, where she fired a strike past the Iona keeper.
- The goal marked the first of her career.
- Head coach Tony da Luz called goalkeeper Madison Howard to the spot, where she fired a strike past the Iona keeper.
- Just over 15 minutes later, the Deacs notched their fifth goal of the match when Kristi Vierra was taken down inside the 18.
- Vierra scored her second-career goal on the penalty kick.
- Over the ensuing 20 minutes, Wake Forest continued to pressure Iona's back line, registering several shots on goal.
- The Demon Deacons scored their sixth and final goal of the match when Johnson blasted a shot that ricocheted off the outreached hands of the Iona keeper. On the rebound Carrie McIntire booted in a right footer for her first goal of the season.
- Wake Forest held on defensively to secure the 6-0 victory, improving to 5-0-1 on the 2023 season.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
- Anna Swanson made her first-career start Sunday, logging 24 minutes and registering an assist.
- After scoring her first goal of the season against Auburn, Alex Wood made her third start of the season Sunday.
- She notched Wake Forest's first goal of the contest in the 24th minute.
- Wood has now tallied goals in back-to-back contests after accumulating five goals and two assists in her freshman campaign a season ago.
- She notched Wake Forest's first goal of the contest in the 24th minute.
- Emily Morris scored her first goal of the season in the 33rd minute.
- Last season, Morris was one the Demon Deacons' best offensive threats, notching four goals and tallying 17 shots on goal.
- Nikayla Small tallied two assists, bringing her season total to five.
- Coming into Sunday, Small ranked second in the ACC in assists.
Standout Stat
Wake Forest attempted a season-high 41 shots, including 21 that were on frame. Of note, coming into Sunday's contest, the Deacs ranked fifth in the ACC in total shots this season.
Shots - ACC (Prior to Sunday)
| Rank | Team |
| 1. | Clemson |
| 2. | North Carolina |
| 3. | Pitt |
| 4. | Virginia |
| 5. | Wake Forest |
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"It was a great senior day for Maddy Howard. A shutout and a goal scored is a decent day for a goalkeeper. We started well but settled for shots from distance. We talked about getting behind them and into the 18 after the water break. We were more effective penetrating their 18 yard box for the rest of the game and scored some nice goals. Iona never gave up, keeping us honest with some counter attacks. The players who finished the game were very good, creating lots of chances and defending well. I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip to Rhode Island." - head coach Tony da Luz
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now hit the road for consecutive non-conference road matches against Rhode Island (Sept. 7) and Brown (Sept. 10), before opening ACC play against Notre Dame (Sept. 15).
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Football Media Availability (10/16/25)
Thursday, October 16
Wake Forest Field Hockey Inside the Circle: Episode Five
Wednesday, October 15
Head Coach Jake Dickert 8/25
Wednesday, October 15
Head Coach Jake Dickert 9/1
Wednesday, October 15