No. 13 Wake Forest Shares Points with Cal

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Extending its home unbeaten streak to 14 matches dating back to last season, the No. 13-ranked Wake Forest women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw with Cal Sunday afternoon at Spry Stadium.

The Demon Deacons (7-2-2, 2-1-1 ACC) came out of the gates quick with an opener in the 10th minute courtesy of senior forward Emily Murphy. The goal came following a perfectly drawn up corner that saw a dummy from Emily Morris free up senior Zara Chavoshi for an attempt at goal. Murphy then pounced on the rebound for her first goal of the season.

The tally marked the seventh goal in a Wake Forest uniform for Murphy and the 17th of her collegiate career. Of note, she is now one point away from reaching 50 for her career (17 goals, 15 assists).

The second goal of the afternoon came off the boot of senior midfielder Emily Colton on a penalty kick in the 36th minute. The penalty was awarded after senior defender Laurel Ansbrow surged forward and found junior Caiya Hanks on the edge of the box, who cut inside and drew contact from a Cal defender.

Colton has now recorded a goal contribution in five of the last six outings, including a goal in the last two. She currently leads the team with 11 points so far this season with four goals and three assists. Additionally, she now has 14 goals and 39 total points for her collegiate career.

The Golden Bears (8-1-2, 1-0-1 ACC) leveled the contest with goals in the 79th and 85th minutes.

Wake Forest out-shot Cal, 12-to-8, over the course of the afternoon and finished with 56 percent of the ball.

For the second-consecutive game, the entire backline of seniors Laurel Ansbrow, Zara Chavoshi, Kristin Johnson and redshirt freshman Sierra Sythe went the full 90 minutes.

Johnson recorded her 60th start for Wake Forest, the most out of any active Demon Deacon. Her 67 appearances also lead the active squad.

Chavoshi made her 60th-career appearance for the Demon Deacons, the second active Deac to reach this mark, joining Johnson. Ansbrow made her 50th-career appearance for Wake Forest and 45th start.

Before the match, Wake Forest soccer honored Johnson and Malaika Meena for their incredible contributions to the program over the last four years. Additionally, the game served as the team's mental health awareness match.

How It Happened

Thursday's hero Emily Colton logged the first shot of the afternoon for Wake Forest after an excellent run from Caiya Hanks set up the senior in the box, but it was blocked by a Cal defender.
In the 10th minute, following a beautifully drawn up corner that saw a dummy from Emily Morris free up Zara Chavoshi for an attempt at goal, Emily Murphy pounced on the rebound and gave Wake Forest a 1-0 lead.
- The goal was originally called off due to offides, but was allowed following video review.
- It marked Murphy's first goal of the season as she brought her season points tally to five.
The Demon Deacons almost doubled the lead two minutes later after great skill from Anna Swanson on the right followed by a ball into the box saw Sythe just miss wide.
Wake Forest remained on the front foot as Murphy dropped deep and played a great ball into the box for Emily Cotlon, who came close to a second.
In the 36th minute, Laurel Ansbrow surged forward and found Hanks on the left side of the box, who cut inside and won a penalty for the Demon Deacons.
Emily Colton slotted the penalty home and has now recorded a goal contribution in five of the last six games.
- She now leads the team with four goals and 11 points this season.
The Demon Deacons kept the pressure up and went into the locker room with a 2-0 advantage.
- Wake Forest held a 9-to-4 shots edge over the first 45 minutes and controlled 60 percent of the possession.
Murphy came inches from a brace as she cut inside on her right and fired a shot just over the bar in the 70th minute.
Two minutes later, Colton also came close to a second on the day as she struck the crossbar.
Cal got a goal back in the 79th minute.
- The goal was the first conceded by Wake Forest in over 320 minutes.
The Golden Bears found an equalizer six minutes later.
Wake Forest and Cal shared the points with a 2-2 draw.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

Spry Stadium has been a fortress for the Demon Deacons over the last three seasons, as Wake Forest has posted a stellar 15-2-6 record at home since the start of 2022 and is currently on a 14-game unbeaten stretch.
- This ties the longest unbeaten home stretch in program history, set during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
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.
Wake Forest came into the match ranked fourth in the conference and 16th nationally with 19.10 shots per-game.
- Additionally, they are ranked fourth in the ACC in corners per-game and 16th nationally with 7.50.
Wake Forest now has seven points in ACC play, putting them in third at the conclusion of the contest with Virginia Tech still in action.
The Demon Deacons now have two players with double-digit points and six players with five or more so far in 2024.
- Emily Colton - 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists)
- Caiya Hanks - 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists)
- Sierra Sythe - 8 points (3 goals, 2 assists)
- Anna Swanson - 6 points (3 goals)
- Emily Murphy - 5 points (1 goal, 3 assists)
- Hannah Johnson - 5 points (2 goals, 1 assist)
On her senior day, Kristin Johnson recorded her 60th start for Wake Forest, the most out of any active Demon Deacon. Her 67 appearances also lead the active squad.
Senior Zara Chavoshi made her 60th-career appearance for the Demon Deacons, the second active Deac to reach this mark joining Johnson.
- Additionally, Chavoshi's center back partner, Laurel Ansbrow, made her 50th-career appearance for Wake Forest and 45th start.
Emily Murphy bagged her first goal of the season with the opener.
- It marked her seventh goal for Wake Forest and 17th of her collegiate career.
- She is now one point away from reaching 50 for her collegiate career.
With her penalty, Emily Colton has now recorded a goal contribution in five of the last six outings, including a goal in the last two.
- She now leads the team with 11 points so far this season with four goals and three assists.
- Of note, she now has 14 goals and 39 total points for her collegiate career.

Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now have a week to recover before hitting the road for a clash with Syracuse on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.

The match will be shown live on ACC Network Extra.

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Team Stats

Emily Colton

Emily Murphy

Sierra Sythe

Zara Chavoshi

Players Mentioned

Laurel Ansbrow

Zara Chavoshi

Emily Colton

Caiya Hanks

Hannah Johnson

Kristin Johnson

Malaika Meena

Emily Morris

Emily Murphy

Anna Swanson

Sierra Sythe

Wake Forest Athletics