Thursday, September 7
Kingston, RI
7:00 P.M.

Wake Forest University

6-0-1, 0-0-0

3
at
1

Rhode Island

0-4-3, 0-0-0

1
2
F
Wake Forest
2
1
3
Rhode Island
0
1
1
Emily Murphy

Wake Forest Defeats Rhode Island for Fifth-Straight Victory

9/7/2023 10:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

The Demon Deacons will return to action Sunday when they travel to take on No. 23 Brown.

KINGSTON, R.I. - Behind a goal and two assists from sophomore forward Caiya Hanks, the Wake Forest women's soccer team earned a 3-1 victory over the Rhode Island Rams Thursday evening at the URI Soccer Complex in Kingston, R.I.
 
With the victory, the Demon Deacons (6-0-1) improved to 3-0 against the Rams all-time. Additionally, the win extended the Demon Deacons' current winning streak to five. 
 
Thursday, Wake Forest was led by the sophomore forward duo of Hanks and Alex Wood. Hanks notched a career-high four points, logging a goal and two assists, while Wood scored a goal for the third-consecutive game. 
 
For the match, the Deacs out shot the Rams by a clip of 13-5, while also registering more corners (6-2). Wake Forest's overall defensive performance was highlighted by its first half showing, as the Deacs allowed zero Rhode Island shot attempts.
 
The Demon Deacons' three goals scored Thursday marked the most goals Rhode Island has allowed all season. Of note, coming into Thursday's match, Rhode Island had only relinquished four goals on the year, which ranked 61st nationally.
 
How It Happened
  • Wake Forest won the first corner of the match, just two minutes into the contest. 
  • The Demon Deacons' first shot attempt came 20 seconds later when Nikayla Small fired a shot that was saved by the Rhode Island keeper.
  • Both sides were held shot less for the ensuing 15 minutes.
    • Caiya Hanks had an opportunity in the 18th minute but her attempt was corralled by the Rams' keeper.
  • Hanks gave Wake Forest a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when she received a perfect ball from Tyla Ochoa and blasted it home for her third goal of the season.
  • Less than 90 seconds later, Alex Wood extended the lead when she received a cross from Hanks and fired a strike from the left wing.
  • Neither side attempted a shot over the next 20 minutes as the Deacs took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
    • Wake Forest attempted four shots during the first half with three coming on goal.
      • The Deacs were paced by Hanks as she logged two shots.
  • Three minutes into the second half, Rhode Island scored its first goal of the match.
  • After relinquishing only their second goal this season, the Demon Deacons began to pressure the Rams' center backs offensively.
  • The Deacs took a 3-1 lead in the 68th minute when Hanks found Emily Murphy, who scored her third goal of the season.
    • Thursday's goal brings Murphy to 13 for her career.
  • Wake Forest continued to suffocate the Rams' offensive attack for the following 12 minutes. 
  • Over the final 10 minutes of play, the Demon Deacons held Rhode Island to zero shot attempts. 
  • The Deacs held on to secure the 3-1 victory over the Rams.
 
Demon Deacon Details of Note
  • Caiya Hanks notched a career-high four points Thursday as she tallied a goal and two assists.
    • The 2022 ACC All-Freshman team selection has accumulated three goals and three assists this season.
  • Alex Wood has now scored a goal in three-consecutive games after scoring goals against Auburn and Iona in the Deacs' previous two games.
  • Tyla Ochoa returned to Wake Forest's starting lineup Thursday and tallied an assist.
    • The assist marked Ochoa's second of the season. 
  • Wake Forest has now won five-consecutive matches, including three on the road.
 
Standout Stat
  • Rhode Island's 48th minute goal marked only the second goal Wake Forest has conceded all season.
    • Coming into Thursday's contest, the Demon Deacons led the ACC and had the second-best goals-against average in the nation (.167/game).
             Goals-Against-Average Coming Into Thursday (ACC)
Rank Team GAA 
1. Wake Forest .167
Clemson .167
3. Virginia Tech .333
Virginia .333
North Carolina .333
 
 
Tony Time with Coach da Luz
"We started the game on fire — creating several good chances in building the 2-0 lead. Then, we let our foot off the gas to end the half. We had chances early in the second half to secure the game but missed opportunities. We committed a lazy foul and Rhode Island capitalized on the free kick. Emily Murphy was excellent tonight in dictating the attack and deserved the third goal. Caiya Hanks was really dangerous as well. Now, we prepare for a tough Brown team on Sunday that will challenge us."
 
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will face their first ranked opponent this season when they take on No. 23 Brown on Sunday (Sept. 10) at 12 p.m.
 
Follow The Deacs
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Next Event

#23 Brown

Sep 10 (Sun)

Noon

Team Stats

WAKE
URI
Goals
3
1
Shots
13
5
Shots on Goal
4
2
Saves
1
1
Corners
6
2
Fouls
7
4
Scoring Plays
Logo

Caiya Hanks (3)

Assisted By: Tyla Ochoa

GOAL by WAKE Hanks, Caiya Assist by Ochoa, Tyla.

21:14

Logo

Alex Wood (3)

Assisted By: Caiya Hanks

GOAL by WAKE Wood, Alex Assist by Hanks, Caiya.

22:32

Logo

Cristina Sallent (1)

GOAL by URI Sallent, Cristina.

47:49

Logo

Emily Murphy (3)

Assisted By: Caiya Hanks

GOAL by WAKE Murphy, Emily Assist by Hanks, Caiya.

67:45

Game Leaders

Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
2
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1

Players Mentioned

Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
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