No. 12 Wake Forest Falls at NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The No. 12-ranked Wake Forest women's soccer team (9-2-2, 3-1-1 ACC) fell for the first time in ACC play as it dropped a road contest to NC State (3-6-4, 2-1-2 ACC) Thursday night at Dail Soccer Field.

The Demon Deacons faced adversity in the beginning stages of the match and were down two goals throughout the first half, but were able to get one back just before the break thanks to a header from freshman Elliana Ramirez in the 43rd minute.

Sophomore midfielder Amaya Dawkins played the ball into the box that resulted in the first assist of her career.

Ramirez is the 11th different player and fourth freshman to score for Wake Forest this season. Of note, freshmen have accounted for 11 of the Deacs' 25 goals this campaign (44 percent).

In goal, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Valentina Amaral finished the night with five saves. Thursday marked her third game of the season with at least five stops and the fifth such match in her career.

Additionally, the standout keeper surpassed 40 saves on the year and is now eight shy of 100 for her career.

How It Happened

NC State was aggressive in the early stages of the match, scoring the first two goals of the contest in the 9th and 10th minutes.
Just a minute later, freshman Kylie Maxwell responded to the pressure and forced the Wolfpack keeper to make a save.
In the 15th minute, redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Valentina Amaral corralled a shot attempt from the Pack to reach her 40th save of the season.
As NC State continued to apply pressure in the zone, junior Dempsey Brown made a key block in the 31st minute to prevent the Pack from another scoring opportunity.
Amaral jumped high to grab her second save of the night in the 36th minute.
The Demon Deacons got one back two minutes before the break as Dawkins played a perfect looping cross into the box, which found Ramirez who headed it home for her first-career goal.
- It marked the first-career points for both Texas natives.
Wake Forest had a chance to equalize seconds before half as Chance picked it off a Wolfpack player and won a free kick from just outside the box.
- Sythe played a beautiful ball in front of goal but the Deacs were unable to get a touch.
The Deacs trailed 2-1 going into the locker room.
- The shots were even at four apiece after the first 45.
Sythe had another free kick opportunity from an almost identical spot as the one before the break, but sent it into the wall before a rebounded effort from Dawkins sailed over the bar.
The Wolfpack had their first chance of the second half in the 49th minute as Amaral easily corralled an attempt while diving to her left.
Wake Forest pushed back against the Pack's offense with a pair of shots on target in the 56th and 57th minutes from Sythe and graduate student Sophie Faircloth.
The Deacs had a fantastic scoring opportunity in the 70th minute off a corner as Maxwell directed a header high, but the Wolfpack keeper pushed the chance out.
Brown struck the crossbar with five minutes to go as Wake Forest continued to put pressure on the Wolfpack.
Wake Forest was unable to find an equalizer and lost, 2-1.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

Freshman forward Elliana Ramirez scored her first-career goal in the 43rd minute with a header.
- She is the 11th different Demon Deacon to score this season and the fourth freshman.
- Of note, freshmen have contributed to 11 of Wake Forest's 25 goals this campaign (44 percent).
With her assist on the Ramirez goal, Dawkins recorded her first-career goal contribution.
Redshirt-sophomore Valentina Amaral reached 40 season saves.
- With five saves on the night, it marked her third match of the season with five-or-more stops and fifth for her career.
Senior Carly Wilson made her 55th career appearance.
Senior Laine DeNatale made her 25th career appearance.
Junior Dempsey Brown made her 10th start of the season.

From Coach da Luz
"We started the game negatively and without confidence. Going down 2-0 early on the road is not the way to win. We did respond very well to get to 2-1 before halftime and continued to outplay them in the second half. We created so many good chances and passed the ball well. We have to be more precise in our finishing going forward. We must respond with full commitment in our next game at Spry vs Louisville. "

Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now return home after a three-match road stretch as it hosts Louisville Thursday, Oct. 9 at Spry Stadium. The contest will be streamed live on ACCNX with kickoff at 7 pm.

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Team Stats

Elliana Ramirez

Amaya Dawkins

Kylie Maxwell

Hannah Johnson

Players Mentioned

Valentina Amaral

Dempsey Brown

Amaya Dawkins

Laine DeNatale

Sophie Faircloth

Kylie Maxwell

Elliana Ramirez

Carly Wilson

Wake Forest Athletics