Thursday, September 19
Winston-Salem NC
7:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
7-2-1, 2-1-0
1
vs
0
Stanford
8-1-0, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Stanford
0
0
0
Wake Forest
1
0
1
No. 13 Wake Forest Makes History, Knocks Off No. 1 Stanford, 1-0
9/19/2024 10:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
This marks the first time in program history that the Demon Deacons have defeated the No. 1 team in the country and have now beaten the No. 2 and No. 1 teams in consecutive matches.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – For the first time in program history, the No. 13-ranked Wake Forest women's soccer team defeated the No. 1 team in the country, as it handled Stanford, 1-0, Thursday evening at Spry Stadium.
The Demon Deacons (7-2-1, 2-1-0 ACC) continued to ride the momentum after defeating No. 2 Virginia, 3-0, on Sunday. The Deacs grew into the contest and controlled possession for much of the first half before getting on the board with a wonder strike from senior Emily Colton in the 30th minute into the top right corner of the goal.
It marked her third goal for the Demon Deacons and 13th of her career. Junior Caiya Hanks picked up her team-high fourth assist of the season following a great forward run.
The marker would be all Wake Forest needed as they handed the No. 1 Cardinal (8-1-0, 0-1-0 ACC) their first loss of the season. The match also marked the first conference game for Stanford as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Deacs continued to be on the front foot for much of the first half as they had chances to double their lead. At the half, Wake Forest had an 8-to-4 shot advantage and went on to finish the game with a 14-11 shot edge for the game.
On the defensive side of the pitch, the Demon Deacons stayed composed and organized while redshirt freshman Valentina Amaral stood tall in net. She made a key save in the ninth minute to keep the game level and finished the night with four saves for her second consecutive clean sheet.
Five outfield players for the Demon Deacons went the full 90 minutes, including the entire backline of seniors Laurel Ansbrow, Zara Chavoshi, Kristin Johnson and freshman Sierra Sythe. The four defended superbly over the course of the contest.
Wake Forest has not conceded a goal in the last 243 combined minutes, dating back to the game at No. 10 North Carolina a week ago. Overall this season, Amaral has a 0.28 goals against average including 10 saves on 11 shots (.909 save percentage).
Wake Forest has been incredible at Spry Stadium over the last three seasons, as it has posted a stellar 15-2-5 record at home since the start of 2022 and is currently on a 13-game unbeaten stretch. This marks the second-longest unbeaten home stretch in program history and is one shy of the record set in 2007-08.
Women's soccer is believed to be the sixth program in Wake Forest history to knock off the No. 1 team in the country joining Baseball, Field Hockey, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer and Men's Tennis.
The Demon Deacons are now 3-0-1 all-time against Stanford dating back to 1997. Of note, Wake Forest is the only team in the nation to be undefeated against Stanford all-time with at least three matches played.
How It Happened
Women's soccer is believed to be the sixth program in Wake Forest history to knock off the No. 1 team in the country joining Baseball, Field Hockey, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer and Men's Tennis.
Known Wake Forest Wins Over No. 1 (All Sports)
"Our team put in a committed performance tonight. We played great soccer, tackled with great timing and pressed a very good Stanford team. We are improving each game and sustaining high performance each ACC game. Our defensive unit was outstanding and Emily Colton scored a wonder goal. Emily Murphy put in a huge amount of work and was unlucky not to score. Proud of our team and look forward to Sunday"
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will remain at home for a clash against another one of the ACC's newest additions, Cal, on Sunday at noon.
The match will be shown live on ACC Network.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
The Demon Deacons (7-2-1, 2-1-0 ACC) continued to ride the momentum after defeating No. 2 Virginia, 3-0, on Sunday. The Deacs grew into the contest and controlled possession for much of the first half before getting on the board with a wonder strike from senior Emily Colton in the 30th minute into the top right corner of the goal.
It marked her third goal for the Demon Deacons and 13th of her career. Junior Caiya Hanks picked up her team-high fourth assist of the season following a great forward run.
The marker would be all Wake Forest needed as they handed the No. 1 Cardinal (8-1-0, 0-1-0 ACC) their first loss of the season. The match also marked the first conference game for Stanford as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Deacs continued to be on the front foot for much of the first half as they had chances to double their lead. At the half, Wake Forest had an 8-to-4 shot advantage and went on to finish the game with a 14-11 shot edge for the game.
On the defensive side of the pitch, the Demon Deacons stayed composed and organized while redshirt freshman Valentina Amaral stood tall in net. She made a key save in the ninth minute to keep the game level and finished the night with four saves for her second consecutive clean sheet.
Five outfield players for the Demon Deacons went the full 90 minutes, including the entire backline of seniors Laurel Ansbrow, Zara Chavoshi, Kristin Johnson and freshman Sierra Sythe. The four defended superbly over the course of the contest.
Wake Forest has not conceded a goal in the last 243 combined minutes, dating back to the game at No. 10 North Carolina a week ago. Overall this season, Amaral has a 0.28 goals against average including 10 saves on 11 shots (.909 save percentage).
Wake Forest has been incredible at Spry Stadium over the last three seasons, as it has posted a stellar 15-2-5 record at home since the start of 2022 and is currently on a 13-game unbeaten stretch. This marks the second-longest unbeaten home stretch in program history and is one shy of the record set in 2007-08.
Women's soccer is believed to be the sixth program in Wake Forest history to knock off the No. 1 team in the country joining Baseball, Field Hockey, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer and Men's Tennis.
The Demon Deacons are now 3-0-1 all-time against Stanford dating back to 1997. Of note, Wake Forest is the only team in the nation to be undefeated against Stanford all-time with at least three matches played.
How It Happened
- Stanford registered the first shot of the evening in the ninth minute, as redshirt freshman Valentina Amaral was called into action and recorded an excellent save to keep the game scoreless.
- Wake Forest grew into the game and fired the next three attempts of the contest between the 18th and 25th minutes.
- In the 30th minute, Emily Colton gave Wake Forest the 1-0 advantage as she rocketed a shot from the edge of the box perfectly into the top-right corner of the net.
- It marked her third goal for the Demon Deacons and 13th of her career.
- Caiya Hanks picked up her team-high fourth assist of the season following a great forward run.
- Another excellent run from Hanks almost doubled the lead for Wake Forest in the 40th minute.
- Colton tested the keeper from distance once again a minute later as the Demon Deacons remained on the front foot for the remainder of the first half.
- Wake Forest went into the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.
- The Demon Deacons out-shot the Cardinal, 8-to-4 in the first 45 minutes.
- In the second half, the Demon Deacons continued to press the Cardinal with a shot from Colton in the 59th minute needing to be parried away by the Stanford keeper. The Deacs continued the pressure but Murphy's shot was wide of the net.
- Minutes later in the 62nd, Murphy put another Wake Forest shot on frame that eventually forced a concession of back-to-back Demon Deacon corner kicks.
- As the Stanford pressure continued to ramp up in the later stages of the match, the backline for the Deacs stepped up when it needed to most.
- Amaral grabbed her fourth and final save of the night in the 74th minute to relieve the attack.
- The Demon Deacons had an answer for each of Stanford's attacks at the end of the game as clearing balls were held up nicely by Murphy, Small and Colton to help drain out the end of the clock.
- The Deacs, who finished the night with advantages in possessions, shots, shots on goal, fouls drawn and corner kicks, went on to close out the 1-0 victory over No. 1 Stanford.
- The win moves the Deacs to a tie for second in the conference standings with six points and just one point back of SMU who currently leads the league with seven points through three games.
- It was the first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent in program history.
- Additionally, it's the 11th win over a top-five opponent for Wake Forest and second this week.
- Spry Stadium has been a fortress for the Demon Deacons over the last three seasons, as Wake Forest has posted a stellar 15-2-5 record at home since the start of 2022 and is currently on a 13-game unbeaten stretch.
- This marks the second-longest unbeaten home stretch in program history and is one shy of the record set in 2007-08.
- The Demon Deacons entered the weekend ranked 13th nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, the highest ranking for Wake Forest since 2013.
- The Demon Deacons entered the match 10th in the RPI.
| Date | Opponent | Score |
| 10/27/2000 | #5 North Carolina | W, 1-0 |
| 10/1/2004 | #3 Virginia | W, 2-1 (OT) |
| 10/8/2009 | #5 Florida State | W, 3-0 |
| 9/15/2011 | #3 Florida State | W, 2-0 |
| 11/4/2011 | #3 Duke | W, 2-1 |
| 9/20/2012 | #4 Boston College | W, 2-0 |
| 8/24/2017 | #3 South Carolina | W, 3-2 |
| 9/2/2018 | #5 Penn State | W, 1-0 |
| 10/31/2021 | #2 Duke | W, 2-1 |
| 9/15/2024 | #2 Virginia | W, 3-0 |
| 9/19/2024 | #1 Stanford | W, 1-0 |
Known Wake Forest Wins Over No. 1 (All Sports)
| Date | Sport | Opponent | Location | Score |
| Sept. 19, 2024 | Women's Soccer | Stanford | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 1-0 |
| April 24, 2016 | Men's Tennis | North Carolina | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 4-3 |
| April 3, 2016 | Men's Tennis | Virginia | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 4-3 |
| Nov. 1, 2012 | Men's Soccer | Maryland | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 4-2 |
| Jan. 28, 2009 | Men's Basketball | Duke | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 70-68 |
| Sept. 27, 1998 | Men's Soccer | Washington | Seattle, Wash. | 2-1 |
| Feb. 23, 1992 | Men's Basketball | Duke | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 72-68 |
| Sept. 23, 1991 | Men's Soccer | Virginia | Charlottesville, Va. | 2-0 |
| Jan. 21, 1989 | Men's Basketball | Duke | Greensboro, N.C. | 75-71 |
| Jan. 21, 1982 | Men's Basketball | North Carolina | Chapel Hill, N.C. | 55-48 |
| Jan. 3, 1975 | Men's Basketball | NC State | Greensboro, N.C. | 83-78 |
*Records based on known wins in record books. Wake Forest encourages fans to submit other known games.
- This marked the 18th time in program history that Wake Forest faced a top-ranked team and first since the 1-1 draw against No. 1 Virginia on Sept. 20, 2019.
- The Demon Deacons came into the match ranked fourth in the conference and 18th nationally with 19.67 shots per-game.
- Additionally, they ranked fourth in the ACC in corners per-game and 15th nationally with 7.67.
- In goal, Valentina Amaral recorded her third-career clean sheet and second of the season.
- She has only conceded one goal in over 500 minutes for her career with a .926 save percentage and a 0.18 goals-against average.
- Wake Forest is now 3-0-1 all-time against Stanford dating back to 1997.
- Of note, Wake Forest is the only team in the nation to be undefeated against Stanford all-time with at least three matches played.
- This marked the first meeting between the two sides since 2006.
- Wake Forest now has six points in ACC play, putting them in fourth, one point behind leaders SMU.
- This was the second-consecutive game in which Wake Forest defeated an unblemished team, downing No. 2 Virginia (8-0-0) and No. 1 Stanford (8-0-0) over the span of five days.
- The winner was Emily Colton's third goal in a Wake Forest uniform and 13th of her career.
- She has now recorded at least one goal contribution in four of the last five matches.
- Her nine points rank second on the team so far this season.
- With her assist on the goal, Caiya Hanks has now reached double-digit points for the season-consecutive season with three goals and a team-high four assists.
- Wake Forest has five players with five or more points so far in 2024.
- Caiya Hanks - 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists)
- Emily Colton - 9 points (3 goals, 3 assists)
- Sierra Sythe - 8 points (3 goals, 2 assists)
- Anna Swanson - 6 points (3 goals)
- Hannah Johnson - 5 points (2 goals, 1 assist)
- Kristin Johnson picked up the secondary assist on Colton's goal, her first of the season and seventh of her career.
"Our team put in a committed performance tonight. We played great soccer, tackled with great timing and pressed a very good Stanford team. We are improving each game and sustaining high performance each ACC game. Our defensive unit was outstanding and Emily Colton scored a wonder goal. Emily Murphy put in a huge amount of work and was unlucky not to score. Proud of our team and look forward to Sunday"
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will remain at home for a clash against another one of the ACC's newest additions, Cal, on Sunday at noon.
The match will be shown live on ACC Network.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Team Stats
STAN
WFU
Goals
0
1
Shots
11
14
Shots on Goal
4
6
Saves
5
4
Corners
2
6
Fouls
12
4
Scoring Plays
Emily Colton (3)
Assisted By: Caiya Hanks , Kristin Johnson
GOAL by WFU Colton, Emily Assist by Hanks, Caiya and Johnson, Kristin.
29:58
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerForward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerFootball 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