Wake Forest Leaders Speak on Successful Spring
6/12/2024 11:19:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Zara Chavoshi, Emily Colton and head coach Tony da Luz discuss the spring and look ahead to the 2024 campaign.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Ahead of the upcoming 2024 fall season, the Wake Forest women's soccer team wrapped up an undefeated spring campaign with eight opponents across five play dates.
"We saw great improvements in the entire roster and our team play was impressive throughout the spring," head coach Tony da Luz said. "Our depth is outstanding and maturity going into the fall will be our strength. I'm excited to see this group develop further this fall. We have a team that can compete with anyone so our fans can look forward to an exciting season."
The eight-game schedule featured elite competition, including the likes of Duke, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Senior defender Zara Chavoshi and senior midfielder Emily Colton touched on the things that stuck out the most to them throughout the spring.
"We were on the road against two great SEC teams, which we knew were going to be a challenge," Chavoshi said on one of the double matchdays. "I think it speaks volumes to our team culture that we were able to have two completely different line ups playing two games back-to-back and going unbeaten."
"The coaches commitment to their players is something that really stood out to me while
being here in the spring," Colton said. "They want the best for every single player no matter what, and they will do anything to help their players develop and succeed. "They are dedicated to our individual player development and improvement and are willing to work with us so we become our best selves and players."
The Demon Deacons compiled 17 goals across the spring from nine different goal scorers. Wake Forest is bringing back 84.4% of its goal production from last season, including the joint-top scorers in Caiya Hanks and Emily Murphy.
Colton, who transferred in from North Carolina this past semester, will occupy the attacking midfield role this fall and will look to create chances as well as take a few of her own. She tallied 18 goal contributions across three seasons with the Tar Heels.
"I would describe the way I play as aggressive, but calm with the ball," the Carlsbad, Calif.-native said. "I like to find certain pockets of space to receive the ball and turn to go forward. I am very committed to the attack, but I am also always willing to track back and defend. I think for this fall, I can bring a strong attacking mindset to the table."
She will be joining her sister, Abbie, who has been a member of the Wake Forest women's soccer team for the last three seasons and is coming off of a breakout year in 2023. The sisters will share a senior night together on Oct. 31 against NC State.
"There truly haven't been words I can find to describe how amazing it is to be able to play
with my sister again," the transfer said. "Abbie and I grew up playing on the same team together ever since we were four years old. I played three years at North Carolina, and it was during my junior season where I really came to realize how much I missed playing with her and sharing the field with her. My sister helps me find the joy in the game and she helps me improve in all areas of my game."
In total, the Deacs will have 19 seniors on the roster this upcoming season. Since 2021, Wake Forest has compiled an impressive 35-16-8 record with two tournament appearances while competing in what is considered the toughest conference in college soccer. In 2024, however, the team wants more.
"We definitely needed to see a change in the mentality of the team," Chavoshi said. "That's exactly what we worked on going into the spring and the outcome was excellent. Everyone was devoted to the team and their own individual effort. We were focused and intentional about everything we did and there definitely was a mindset shift. In the past we have held ourselves to high standards and engaged in thoughtful conversation about what we need to do, but this spring we took action and made a change within the team dynamic on and off the field."
Defensively, Wake Forest conceded just three goals this spring for a stellar 0.38 goals-against average over the eight games. Last season, the Deacs set a program record with just 15 goals conceded and nine clean sheets across 18 games.
"There are four players along the backline in addition to the goalie, but we defend with 11 players," Chavoshi said. "Our coaches have us doing pressure, cover and balance drills every training, ingraining the defensive work into our minds. Our defensive success really starts with the highest player on the field."
The Deacs will have eight home matches this upcoming season, including clashes against the defending national champions Florida State and runner up Stanford, a new addition to the ACC. Wake Forest went unbeaten at home last season for the first time since 2007 and will look to continue the success at Spry Stadium this fall.
"Just hearing this stat is awesome," Chavoshi added. "Playing at Spry is such a privilege. I've been on many road trips and no field has the same ambience as Spry. I think as a team we feel safe there, we feel a sense of culture and history, where our job is to defend Spry."
Finally, both Colton and Chavoshi were asked what their individual and team goals were for the upcoming season.
"A personal goal I have is to be consistent," Chavoshi answered. "As a center back, we are the last line of defense before the goalie and what we do, the decisions we make on and off the ball are very impactful whether that be in a positive or negative way. Consistency in every part of the game is what I was to focus on. If I can bring everything together I have learned these last 3 years and consistently apply it, I think good things will happen."
"As a team, my goal is always to win," she continued. "This is many of our last years and we haven't been able to accomplish what we have wanted to in the past, but we have so much talent and special people on this team so the standard is extremely high."
"One personal goal I have for this season is to just play with joy and have fun while playing," Colton said. "I also want to become more of a leader on and off the field and contribute to as many goals and assists as I can. Finally, I want to constantly improve every day to become the best player I can be."
"For the team, the obvious goal that I have is to win as much as we can. I believe we have a team that can accomplish anything we put our minds to. We have a special team with amazing leaders that I believe is capable of doing anything we put our minds to. I also want us to take each practice and game one at a time and to make sure we are doing everything right in order to succeed. I love this team so much and I am so incredibly excited for the fall season."
The Wake Forest women's soccer team will begin its 2024 campaign on the road against Army on Aug. 15. The home opener will take place against Temple on Aug. 22 and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
"We saw great improvements in the entire roster and our team play was impressive throughout the spring," head coach Tony da Luz said. "Our depth is outstanding and maturity going into the fall will be our strength. I'm excited to see this group develop further this fall. We have a team that can compete with anyone so our fans can look forward to an exciting season."
The eight-game schedule featured elite competition, including the likes of Duke, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Senior defender Zara Chavoshi and senior midfielder Emily Colton touched on the things that stuck out the most to them throughout the spring.
"We were on the road against two great SEC teams, which we knew were going to be a challenge," Chavoshi said on one of the double matchdays. "I think it speaks volumes to our team culture that we were able to have two completely different line ups playing two games back-to-back and going unbeaten."
"The coaches commitment to their players is something that really stood out to me while
being here in the spring," Colton said. "They want the best for every single player no matter what, and they will do anything to help their players develop and succeed. "They are dedicated to our individual player development and improvement and are willing to work with us so we become our best selves and players."
The Demon Deacons compiled 17 goals across the spring from nine different goal scorers. Wake Forest is bringing back 84.4% of its goal production from last season, including the joint-top scorers in Caiya Hanks and Emily Murphy.
Colton, who transferred in from North Carolina this past semester, will occupy the attacking midfield role this fall and will look to create chances as well as take a few of her own. She tallied 18 goal contributions across three seasons with the Tar Heels.
"I would describe the way I play as aggressive, but calm with the ball," the Carlsbad, Calif.-native said. "I like to find certain pockets of space to receive the ball and turn to go forward. I am very committed to the attack, but I am also always willing to track back and defend. I think for this fall, I can bring a strong attacking mindset to the table."
She will be joining her sister, Abbie, who has been a member of the Wake Forest women's soccer team for the last three seasons and is coming off of a breakout year in 2023. The sisters will share a senior night together on Oct. 31 against NC State.
"There truly haven't been words I can find to describe how amazing it is to be able to play
with my sister again," the transfer said. "Abbie and I grew up playing on the same team together ever since we were four years old. I played three years at North Carolina, and it was during my junior season where I really came to realize how much I missed playing with her and sharing the field with her. My sister helps me find the joy in the game and she helps me improve in all areas of my game."
In total, the Deacs will have 19 seniors on the roster this upcoming season. Since 2021, Wake Forest has compiled an impressive 35-16-8 record with two tournament appearances while competing in what is considered the toughest conference in college soccer. In 2024, however, the team wants more.
"We definitely needed to see a change in the mentality of the team," Chavoshi said. "That's exactly what we worked on going into the spring and the outcome was excellent. Everyone was devoted to the team and their own individual effort. We were focused and intentional about everything we did and there definitely was a mindset shift. In the past we have held ourselves to high standards and engaged in thoughtful conversation about what we need to do, but this spring we took action and made a change within the team dynamic on and off the field."
Defensively, Wake Forest conceded just three goals this spring for a stellar 0.38 goals-against average over the eight games. Last season, the Deacs set a program record with just 15 goals conceded and nine clean sheets across 18 games.
"There are four players along the backline in addition to the goalie, but we defend with 11 players," Chavoshi said. "Our coaches have us doing pressure, cover and balance drills every training, ingraining the defensive work into our minds. Our defensive success really starts with the highest player on the field."
The Deacs will have eight home matches this upcoming season, including clashes against the defending national champions Florida State and runner up Stanford, a new addition to the ACC. Wake Forest went unbeaten at home last season for the first time since 2007 and will look to continue the success at Spry Stadium this fall.
"Just hearing this stat is awesome," Chavoshi added. "Playing at Spry is such a privilege. I've been on many road trips and no field has the same ambience as Spry. I think as a team we feel safe there, we feel a sense of culture and history, where our job is to defend Spry."
Finally, both Colton and Chavoshi were asked what their individual and team goals were for the upcoming season.
"A personal goal I have is to be consistent," Chavoshi answered. "As a center back, we are the last line of defense before the goalie and what we do, the decisions we make on and off the ball are very impactful whether that be in a positive or negative way. Consistency in every part of the game is what I was to focus on. If I can bring everything together I have learned these last 3 years and consistently apply it, I think good things will happen."
"As a team, my goal is always to win," she continued. "This is many of our last years and we haven't been able to accomplish what we have wanted to in the past, but we have so much talent and special people on this team so the standard is extremely high."
"One personal goal I have for this season is to just play with joy and have fun while playing," Colton said. "I also want to become more of a leader on and off the field and contribute to as many goals and assists as I can. Finally, I want to constantly improve every day to become the best player I can be."
"For the team, the obvious goal that I have is to win as much as we can. I believe we have a team that can accomplish anything we put our minds to. We have a special team with amazing leaders that I believe is capable of doing anything we put our minds to. I also want us to take each practice and game one at a time and to make sure we are doing everything right in order to succeed. I love this team so much and I am so incredibly excited for the fall season."
The Wake Forest women's soccer team will begin its 2024 campaign on the road against Army on Aug. 15. The home opener will take place against Temple on Aug. 22 and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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