Demon Deacons Fall in Penalties to Florida State

CARY, N.C. – Despite an 83rd-minute equalizer from senior midfielder Emily Morris and multiple huge saves from redshirt-freshman Valentina Amaral, the No. 2-seed Wake Forest women's soccer team (12-3-3) bowed out of the 2024 ACC Tournament in the semifinal round to Florida State (13-2-3) 3-1 in penalty kicks.

After Wake Forest held its 10th-straight opponent scoreless in first half action, Florida State would strike first in the 53rd minute. Fighting back from the deficit, Wake Forest would find the leveling goal it was seeking when Morris collected a cross from senior defender Kristin Johnson to bury her second goal of the season.

In goal, redshirt-freshman Valentina Amaral stood tall and logged a career-high five saves. The All-ACC honoree has been exceptional this season and her brilliance was on display, particularly in the second overtime period as she stopped two potential Florida State game-winners.

This season, Amaral holds the best goals-against average in the ACC (.690), which would rank as the best in program history for a single season.

In front of Amaral, Wake Forest went with a senior centerback trio of Laurel Ansbrow, Zara Chavoshi and Kristin Johnson, with Morris and redshirt freshman Sierra Sythe pushing up as wing backs. All but the goal-scorer went the full 110 and defended well throughout the match, limiting Florida State to just six shots on goal.

With the 1-1 decision, the Deacs will enter the NCAA Tournament at 12-3-3 overall.

How It Happened

Emily Murphy collected the first shot of the evening in the eighth minute, as a great individual effort created space inside the 18 before her attempt was stopped by the Seminole keeper.
Valentina Amaral stood tall on Florida State's first shot of the night, an 11th-minute direct free kick that went over the Demon Deacon wall before the Oviedo, Fla., native hauled in the attempt.
Amaral was once again called into action in the 23rd minute, diving to her left to knock away a powerful Florida State attempt.
Murphy nearly got the Deacs on the board during a 29th-minute corner kick, as the senior's second chance went just wide of the frame.
Zara Chavoshi tested the Seminoles with a 44th-minute free kick, a low-level shot that needed the keeper to dive to stop from going into the goal.
The two sides went into halftime even at 0-0, as Wake Forest has gone 10-straight without conceding in the first half and it marks the 14th time in 18 matches this season the Deacs haven't allowed the opponent to score in the opening frame.
Florida State took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
Malaika Menna entered the match in the 63rd minute, marking her first appearance for the Demon Deacons since their 2-1 victory over Mississippi State on Aug. 25.
Murphy attempted the first second half shot for Wake Forest in the 64th minute.
Emily Colton registered a shot on goal from distance in the 78th minute as the Deacs remained in search of an equalizer.
The Demon Deacons leveled the match in the 83rd minute, as Emily Morris scored her second goal of the season – both of which have come against Florida State.
- On the equalizer, Kristin Johnston logged her fourth assist of the season as she placed a cross onto the foot of Morris before she beat the Florida State keeper.
Morris nearly put the Deacs ahead in the 86th, as a strongly hit volley was stopped by a diving Addie Todd.
The two sides ended regulation tied at 1-1, as Wake Forest went to overtime for the first time since the 2021 ACC Tournament semifinals against Florida State.
Florida State dominated a majority of possession in the first overtime, but Wake Forest held strong in the back.
Amaral prevented a pair of potential game-winning goals for the Seminoles in the 103rd minute, stepping up to stonewall Marianyela Jimenez before once again stopping Jordynn Dudley shortly after.
The two sides went to penalty kicks, as Amaral set the tone for the Deacs stopping Florida State's first attempt but unfortunately the Deacs fell, 3-1.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

The Demon Deacons are currently ranked No. 3 in United Soccer Coaches Poll. This season, they were ranked as high as No. 2, the highest ranking in program history.
- Additionally, Wake Forest sits seventh in RPI and third in the TopDrawerSoccer poll.
With her 83rd-minute equalizer, Emily Morris now has two goals on the season, both against Florida State.
- She has eight goals and seven assists during her fantastic four-year career for 23 total points.
Notching the assist on Morris' goal, Kristin Johnson reached 10 for her career and tied a career-high with four so far this season.
Wake Forest entered the match ranked in the top five of the ACC in multiple categories, including ranking first goals-against average (.647), fifth in shots per game (17.59), fourth in corners per game (6.35) and fifth in goal differential (+23).
In goal, Valentina Amaral logged a career-high five saves and stopped Florida State's first penalty kick.
- She has only allowed eight goals over 1,215 minutes of action for a .59 career goals-against average.
- This season, she holds the best goals-against average in the ACC (.690). Of note, her goals-against average would rank as the best in program history for a single season.
This season, Wake Forest had three players selected as an ACC Offensive Players of the Week with Caiya Hanks, Emily Colton and Emily Murphy all garnering the honors over the last two months.
- The Deacs also placed three on the TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 list with Emily Colton (#2), Emily Morris (#45) and Zara Chavoshi (#64).
Earlier this week, five members of the Wake Forest women's soccer team were selected for 2024 All-ACC honors, headlined by a First-Team selection for junior forward Caiya Hanks.
- A senior trio of midfielder Emily Colton, forward Emily Murphy and defender Zara Chavoshi tabbed second-team nods, while redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Valentina Amaral earned third-team honors.
- Five players earning All-ACC nods is the most in program history. Additionally, Hanks became the 10th Wake Forest player to be tabbed All-ACC First Team and first since Aubrey Bledsoe in 2013.

From Coach da Luz
"Congratulations to Florida State. They played a great game. It was a really competitive match, they played well, we played well, just a high-level game. There were a lot of opportunities and great chances for both teams. This game primed us for the NCAA Tournament. I'm proud of our kids, they competed well to come back and tie the game. Just have to do a better job on penalties."

Up Next
Wake Forest will now await its NCAA Tournament fate with the selection show taking place on Monday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. and can be viewed on NCAA.com.

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Team Stats

Emily Morris

Kristin Johnson

Emily Murphy

Emily Colton

Players Mentioned

Valentina Amaral

Laurel Ansbrow

Zara Chavoshi

Emily Colton

Caiya Hanks

Kristin Johnson

Emily Morris

Emily Murphy

Sierra Sythe

Wake Forest Athletics