Thursday, August 14
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7 p.m.
Wake Forest University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
SMU
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
SMU
0
0
0
Wake Forest
1
1
2
No. 10 Wake Forest Women’s Soccer Clinches Opening Night Victory Over SMU
8/14/2025 11:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Deacs scored in each half and earned a clean sheet in the victory over the Mustangs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The No. 10 ranked Wake Forest women's soccer team (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC) earned a 2-0 victory over SMU (0-1-0, 0-0-0 ACC) in the 2025 season opener on Thursday night at Spry Stadium.
Wake Forest opened the scoring in the 31st minute on the team's first shot attempt of the evening, as freshman Kylie Maxwell tallied a goal in her collegiate debut. Wake would then double the advantage in the 59th minute before seeing out the first victory of the campaign.
Since the 2020-21 season, Wake Forest is 15-0-2 at home against non-conference opponents in regular season action. In those 17 games, the Deacs have outscored opponents 49-2.
Wake Forest will wrap up the opening weekend of the 2025 season on Sunday evening, as the Demon Deacons host the LSU Tigers for an ACC/SEC matchup at Spry. Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will air on ACC Network.
How It Happened
On The Front Foot
Dating back to 2000, Wake Forest is 24-2-2 in home openers. With today's result, the Deacs extended their winning/unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents in home openers to 12-straight.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
From Coach da Luz
"We made more progress tonight and grew into the game. Our midfield was very good for much of the game. They found wide players and won 50/50's. Amaya Dawkins was superb as well. We always want a shutout and our team defending was very good, with our goalkeeper and backline setting the tone. The attack was led by Kylie Maxwell, who was dangerous throughtout the game. Her two goals in her debut is a program first, so her future is bright. Sierra Sythe was incredible as well, as she was running into the attack constantly. Overall, we improved in many areas and we hope to make more progress on Sunday against LSU. Wake fans, please come out and support us!"
Up Next
Wake Forest will remain at home to conclude the opening weekend of the season, hosting LSU for the first time since 2010.
Kick-off will be at 1 p.m. and the contest will air nationally on ACC Network.
Wake Forest opened the scoring in the 31st minute on the team's first shot attempt of the evening, as freshman Kylie Maxwell tallied a goal in her collegiate debut. Wake would then double the advantage in the 59th minute before seeing out the first victory of the campaign.
Since the 2020-21 season, Wake Forest is 15-0-2 at home against non-conference opponents in regular season action. In those 17 games, the Deacs have outscored opponents 49-2.
Wake Forest will wrap up the opening weekend of the 2025 season on Sunday evening, as the Demon Deacons host the LSU Tigers for an ACC/SEC matchup at Spry. Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will air on ACC Network.
How It Happened
- SMU registered the first shot of the contest in the 17th minute, but goalkeeper Valentina Amaral remained composed as it did little to trouble the 2024 All-ACC selection.
- Wake Forest took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute, as freshman Kylie Maxwell – making her Demon Deacon debut – buried her first attempt past the SMU keeper.
- Maxwell was set up by fellow freshman Alejandra Gomez and team captain Sierra Sythe on the opener.
- The assist was the fourth of Sythe's career.
- The goal was the difference in the first half between the Deacs and Mustangs, as Wake Forest entered the halftime break up 1-0.
- Wake Forest maintained 54 percent of possession in the first 45 minutes.
- Amaral was tested in the 51st minute, but the redshirt sophomore made a diving stop to her left to keep SMU off the scoreboard.
- Wake Forest extended their lead in the 59th minute off a deflected ball.
- The Deacs continued to push forward for a third goal, with a pair of attempts inside the 18 in the 63rd minute including a shot that was pushed away by the SMU keeper.
- Wake Forest would see through the clean sheet result, as 17 players contributed to the 2-0 victory.
On The Front Foot
Dating back to 2000, Wake Forest is 24-2-2 in home openers. With today's result, the Deacs extended their winning/unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents in home openers to 12-straight.
- Wake Forest 2, SMU 0 (2025)
- Wake Forest 4, Temple 0 (2024)
- Wake Forest 1, App State 0 (2023)
- Wake Forest 2, Milwaukee 0 (2022)
- Wake Forest 1, UIC 0 (2021)
- Duke 4, Wake Forest 3 (2020)
- Wake Forest 3, Temple 0 (2019)
- Wake Forest 1, Tennessee 1 (2OT, 2018)
- Wake Forest 5, William & Mary 1 (2017)
- Wake Forest 1, Coastal Carolina 1 (2016)
- Wake Forest 4, Georgia 0 (2015)
- Wake Forest 2, Charlotte 0 (2014)
- Wake Forest 3, Kentucky 1 (2013)
- UNCG 1, Wake Forest 0 (2012)
- Wake Forest 2, Radford 0 (2011)
- Wake Forest 2, WVU 0, (2010)
- Wake Forest 4, Campbell 0 (2009)
- Wake Forest 2, Utah 1 (OT, 2008)
- Wake Forest 1, Long Beach State 0 (2007)
- Wake Forest 4, Syracuse 0 (2006)
- Wake Forest 4, UNCW 1 (2005)
- Wake Forest 3, UNCG 2 (2004)
- Wake Forest 5, Liberty 0 (2003)
- Wake Forest 3, Georgia 1 (2002)
- Wake Forest 6, Elon 1 (2001)
- Wake Forest 3, UNCG 0 (2000)
Demon Deacon Details of Note
- Senior Carly Wilson earned her 11th career start and first since Aug. 20, 2023 against Army.
- Senior Laine DeNatale earned her first career start.
- Sophomore Chloe Burst earned her first career start.
- Sophomore Amaya Dawkins earned her first career start.
- Freshmen Alejandra Gomez, Elliana Ramirez and Kylie Maxwell earned starts in their collegiate debuts.
- Junior Addison Roberts and senior Brooke Miller each made their debuts for the Old Gold and Black.
- Freshmen Sonoma Bever and Rachael Wright made their Demon Deacon debuts.
From Coach da Luz
"We made more progress tonight and grew into the game. Our midfield was very good for much of the game. They found wide players and won 50/50's. Amaya Dawkins was superb as well. We always want a shutout and our team defending was very good, with our goalkeeper and backline setting the tone. The attack was led by Kylie Maxwell, who was dangerous throughtout the game. Her two goals in her debut is a program first, so her future is bright. Sierra Sythe was incredible as well, as she was running into the attack constantly. Overall, we improved in many areas and we hope to make more progress on Sunday against LSU. Wake fans, please come out and support us!"
Up Next
Wake Forest will remain at home to conclude the opening weekend of the season, hosting LSU for the first time since 2010.
Kick-off will be at 1 p.m. and the contest will air nationally on ACC Network.
Team Stats
SMU
WFU
Goals
0
2
Shots
7
5
Shots on Goal
1
3
Saves
2
1
Corners
4
2
Fouls
13
4
Scoring Plays
Kylie Maxwell (1)
Assisted By: Alejandra Gomez , Sierra Sythe
GOAL by WFU Maxwell, Kylie Assist by Gomez, Alejandra and Sythe, Sierra.
30:43
0
GOAL by WFU TEAM.
58:56
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's SoccerForward
/ Women's SoccerForward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerDefender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
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