Wake Forest Athletics
#ProDeacs: Wake Forest Women’s Soccer Alumni Excelling at the Professional Level
4/23/2025 3:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Seven members of the 2024 national finalist squad have made their pro debuts over the last three months.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Highlighted by seven new additions to the professional ranks, Wake Forest women's soccer alumni have made major impacts across the globe already in 2025. Here is a quick look at how our #ProDeacs have been performing at the next level.
NWSL Rookies Up & Running
Since joining the Portland Thorns just over a month ago, Caiya Hanks has made an immediate impact for the club. Last night (April 22) against Gotham, Hanks recorded her first-career assist in the seventh minute as she beat her defender with excellent 1-on-1 skill in the box before sliding it across for Marie-Yasmine Alidou for the opening goal.
She continued to be the best player on the pitch, creating multiple scoring opportunities until she put Portland in front for good with her first professional goal in the 61st minute. Her teammate, Samantha Coffeey, found her in the box before the rookie curled it into the back of the net. Hanks was the third rookie this season to net a game winner.
Hanks finished the match with a 9.0 match rating, the best rating on the pitch. Additionally, she led the Thorns in shots (five) shots on target (three), shot-creating actions (five) and progressive carries (five). So far this season, she has played in all six matches for Portland with three starts.
On the other side of the country, Zara Chavoshi has also gotten her professional career underway on Orlando's backline. The Potomac, Md.-native has made two appearances so far this season, making her NWSL debut on March 23 against Gotham. The standout defender and the Pride currently sit second in the league on 12 points through five games.
Both of the Wake Forest NWSL rookies will be back in action this weekend as Chavoshi will batlle fellow Demon Deacon Madison Hammond and Angel City on Friday (April 25) at 8 p.m. Hanks will take on Racing Louisville on Sunday (April 27) at 4 p.m.
Professional Homecomings
Two members of the 2024 College Cup squad have recently returned home to play in their home country of England in the Women's Championship. Forward Emily Murphy and midfielder Malaika Meena have gotten off to flying starts with Newcastle United and Bristol City, respectively.
Murphy has already scored twice and added five assists in just seven matches played. Newcastle are currently sixth in the championship on 30 points with just two matches remaining. Meena's Bristol are level on points but hold a plus-three advantage on goal differential.
Despite not having scored a goal for Wake Forest since her freshman campaign in 2021, Meena opened her professional account right off the bat against Murphy's Newcastle on March 2 in the eighth minute. Of note, Bristol has only dropped one match since Meena joined the club.
Also returning home in 2025 is one of the most creative players Wake Forest has seen, as Nikayla Small joined AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League for its inaugural season. Small started and went the full 90 in the club's first match against Montreal. Fellow Demon Deacon, Mariah Lee, is also competing in the NSL for the Vancouver Rise.
USL Super Stars
Back in the States, two more recent Wake Forest graduates have been lighting it up in the USL Super League.
Midfielder Emily Colton has made an instant impact since joining the DC Power two months ago, making her professional debut in a 3-3 thriller against Carolina on Feb. 23. In her seven matches, DC has picked up eight points (1.14 points/game). Without her, the club earned eight points in 15 matches (.53 points/game). Despite only playing one match in February, she garnered Team of the Month honors for dominating the contest against Carolina.
Defender Laurel Ansbrow has started and gone the full 90 in all nine matches since joining Fort Lauderdale United in February. On her debut against Tampa Bay, she recorded her first pro assist. Ansbrow has played a role in three clean sheets and has only conceded nine goals while she's been with the club. The rookie was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month twice for her incredible defensive efforts.
For the league-leading Carolina Ascent, Giovanna DeMarco has made 16 appearances this campaign with 12 starts in the midfield. In total, she has recorded over 1,000 minutes of action and has played a large role in the team's success.
Veterans on Top
While the Demon Deacons have seen seven players from last season's squad sign pro contracts, Wake Forest creating professional players is nothing new. Two members of the groundbreaking 2011 College Cup team remain in the sport and are still excelling at the highest level.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury has kept three-consecutive clean sheets for the Washington Spirit a season-removed from leading them to the NWSL Championship match. She has helped Washington limit opponents to just three goals so far this season which ranks third in the league behind only Kansas City (one) and Orlando (two). Additionally, Kingsbury's 18 saves and 90.5 save percentage both rank second in the league.
In the top flight of England, Katie Stengel leads Crystal Palace in goals (three) and assists (three) through 16 matches this season. She has contributed to six of Palace's 15 goals scored this season (40 percent). Stengel also leads the club in xG accumulated (4.2), xAG accumulated (2.0), progressive carries (31) and progressive passes received (62).
A more recent grad, Vicky Krug, has become one of the most reliable defenders in Germany. She has started all but one of Leipzig's 19 matches so far this season with 1,478 minutes played. She leads the squad in tackles won (26) and interceptions (38).
Recent Results and Upcoming Fixtures
NWSL
NWSL Rookies Up & Running
Since joining the Portland Thorns just over a month ago, Caiya Hanks has made an immediate impact for the club. Last night (April 22) against Gotham, Hanks recorded her first-career assist in the seventh minute as she beat her defender with excellent 1-on-1 skill in the box before sliding it across for Marie-Yasmine Alidou for the opening goal.
She continued to be the best player on the pitch, creating multiple scoring opportunities until she put Portland in front for good with her first professional goal in the 61st minute. Her teammate, Samantha Coffeey, found her in the box before the rookie curled it into the back of the net. Hanks was the third rookie this season to net a game winner.
Hanks finished the match with a 9.0 match rating, the best rating on the pitch. Additionally, she led the Thorns in shots (five) shots on target (three), shot-creating actions (five) and progressive carries (five). So far this season, she has played in all six matches for Portland with three starts.
On the other side of the country, Zara Chavoshi has also gotten her professional career underway on Orlando's backline. The Potomac, Md.-native has made two appearances so far this season, making her NWSL debut on March 23 against Gotham. The standout defender and the Pride currently sit second in the league on 12 points through five games.
Both of the Wake Forest NWSL rookies will be back in action this weekend as Chavoshi will batlle fellow Demon Deacon Madison Hammond and Angel City on Friday (April 25) at 8 p.m. Hanks will take on Racing Louisville on Sunday (April 27) at 4 p.m.
Professional Homecomings
Two members of the 2024 College Cup squad have recently returned home to play in their home country of England in the Women's Championship. Forward Emily Murphy and midfielder Malaika Meena have gotten off to flying starts with Newcastle United and Bristol City, respectively.
Murphy has already scored twice and added five assists in just seven matches played. Newcastle are currently sixth in the championship on 30 points with just two matches remaining. Meena's Bristol are level on points but hold a plus-three advantage on goal differential.
Despite not having scored a goal for Wake Forest since her freshman campaign in 2021, Meena opened her professional account right off the bat against Murphy's Newcastle on March 2 in the eighth minute. Of note, Bristol has only dropped one match since Meena joined the club.
Also returning home in 2025 is one of the most creative players Wake Forest has seen, as Nikayla Small joined AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League for its inaugural season. Small started and went the full 90 in the club's first match against Montreal. Fellow Demon Deacon, Mariah Lee, is also competing in the NSL for the Vancouver Rise.
USL Super Stars
Back in the States, two more recent Wake Forest graduates have been lighting it up in the USL Super League.
Midfielder Emily Colton has made an instant impact since joining the DC Power two months ago, making her professional debut in a 3-3 thriller against Carolina on Feb. 23. In her seven matches, DC has picked up eight points (1.14 points/game). Without her, the club earned eight points in 15 matches (.53 points/game). Despite only playing one match in February, she garnered Team of the Month honors for dominating the contest against Carolina.
Defender Laurel Ansbrow has started and gone the full 90 in all nine matches since joining Fort Lauderdale United in February. On her debut against Tampa Bay, she recorded her first pro assist. Ansbrow has played a role in three clean sheets and has only conceded nine goals while she's been with the club. The rookie was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month twice for her incredible defensive efforts.
For the league-leading Carolina Ascent, Giovanna DeMarco has made 16 appearances this campaign with 12 starts in the midfield. In total, she has recorded over 1,000 minutes of action and has played a large role in the team's success.
Veterans on Top
While the Demon Deacons have seen seven players from last season's squad sign pro contracts, Wake Forest creating professional players is nothing new. Two members of the groundbreaking 2011 College Cup team remain in the sport and are still excelling at the highest level.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury has kept three-consecutive clean sheets for the Washington Spirit a season-removed from leading them to the NWSL Championship match. She has helped Washington limit opponents to just three goals so far this season which ranks third in the league behind only Kansas City (one) and Orlando (two). Additionally, Kingsbury's 18 saves and 90.5 save percentage both rank second in the league.
In the top flight of England, Katie Stengel leads Crystal Palace in goals (three) and assists (three) through 16 matches this season. She has contributed to six of Palace's 15 goals scored this season (40 percent). Stengel also leads the club in xG accumulated (4.2), xAG accumulated (2.0), progressive carries (31) and progressive passes received (62).
A more recent grad, Vicky Krug, has become one of the most reliable defenders in Germany. She has started all but one of Leipzig's 19 matches so far this season with 1,478 minutes played. She leads the squad in tackles won (26) and interceptions (38).
Recent Results and Upcoming Fixtures
NWSL
- Madison Hammond - Angel City FC
- Last: Loss, 0-4, vs. NY/NJ Gotham
- Next: Friday, April 25 vs. Orlando Pride (8 p.m.)
- Caiya Hanks - Portland Thorns
- Last: Win, 4-1, vs. NY/NJ Gotham
- Next: Sunday, April 27 vs. Racing Louisville (4 p.m.)
- Ryanne Brown - Seattle Reign
- Last: Won, 1-0, vs. Portland Thorns
- Next: Saturday, April 26, at Bay FC (10 p.m.)
- Hannah Betfort - NC Courage
- Last: Loss, 0-1, vs. Bay FC
- Next: Saturday, April 26 vs. KC Current (7 p.m.)
- Aubrey Kingsbury - Washington Spirit
- Last: Won, 1-0, at Orlando Pride
- Next: Saturday, April 26, vs. NY/NJ Gotham (1 p.m.)
- Bayley Feist - Kansas City Current
- Last: Won, 2-0, vs. Houston Dash
- Next: Saturday, April 26, at NC Courage (7 p.m.)
- Zara Chavoshi - Orlando Pride
- Last: Loss, 0-1, vs. Washington Spirit
- Next: Friday, April 25, vs. Angel City FC (8 p.m.)
- Laurel Ansbrow - Fort Lauderdale United FC
- Last: Draw, 1-1, at Dallas Trinity
- Next: Saturday, April 26, vs. Carolina Ascent (7:30 p.m.)
- Emily Colton - DC Power
- Last: Loss, 0-1, vs. Tampa Bay Sun
- Next: Saturday, April 26, at Brooklyn FC (6 p.m.)
- Giovanna DeMarco - Carolina Ascent
- Last: Won, 3-0, vs. Spokane Zephyr FC
- Next: Saturday, April 26, vs. Fort Lauderdale United (7:30 p.m.)
- Katie Stengel - Crystal Palace
- Last: Loss, 0-4, vs. Arsenal
- Next: Today vs. Chelsea (2:15 p.m.)
- Malaika Meena - Bristol City
- Last: Draw, 1-1, at Portsmouth
- Next: Sunday, April 27, vs. Sunderland (9 a.m.)
- Emily Murphy - Newcastle United
- Last: Draw, 1-1, at Charlton
- Next: Sunday, April 27 vs. Birmingham City (9 a.m.)
- Mariah Lee - Vancouver Rise
- Last: Won, 1-0, vs. Calgary
- Next: Sunday, April 27 vs. Montreal (3 p.m.)
- Nikayla Small - AFC Toronto
- Last: Loss, 0-1, vs. Montreal
- Next: Sunday, April 26 vs. Calgary (5 p.m.)
- Vicky Krug - RB Leipzig
- Last: Loss, 2-5, at Hoffenheim
- Next: Saturday, April 26 vs. SGS Essen (6 a.m.)
- Estelle Laurier - OGC Nice
- Last: W, 2-1, vs. Saint-Malo
- Next: Sunday, April 27 vs. Lens (7 p.m.)
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerSpring Camp Media Availability (4/2/26) | Wake Forest Football
Thursday, April 02
Spring Camp Media Availability (3/31/26) | Wake Forest Football
Tuesday, March 31
Spring Camp Media Availability (3/28/26) | Wake Forest Football
Saturday, March 28
Spring Camp Media Availability (3/26/26) | Wake Forest Football
Thursday, March 26