Thursday, August 21
Winston-Salem, N.C.
5:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
2
vs
0
Villanova
Photo by: Bryce Mitchell / Wake Forest Athletics
No. 10 Wake Forest Records Third Consecutive Shutout With 2-0 Home Result
8/21/2025 7:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Strikes from Sythe and Maxwell at the 8th and 47th minute respectively earned the Deacons third victory of the year.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Marked by a 10th career shutout for redshirt sophomore Valentina Amaral the No. 10 Wake Forest women's soccer team improved to 3-0-0 (0-0-0 ACC) with a 2-0 victory over the Villanova Wildcats (0-2-0, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) on Thursday night at Spry Stadium.
Despite the 'Cats early score attempts, Wake Forest struck first. Redshirt sophomore Sierra Sythe netted her first goal of the season off a diagonal pass from freshman Kylie Maxwell. Senior Brooke Miller recorded her first points with Wake Forest with a secondary assist on Sythe's strike.
The Deacons entered the second half with the 1-0 lead and tallied six total shots to the 'Cats four. Just two minutes into the second half, freshman Kylie Maxwell battled off an opposing defender to notch her second goal of the year. In just three games with the Old Gold and Black, Maxwell has recorded two goals, two assists and six total points.
After earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors during the opening week of the season, Amaral faced eight shots and made two saves to record her third clean sheet of the year and tenth of her career. This marks the most consecutive shutouts to start a season dating back to 2021.
Since the 2020-21 season, Wake Forest is 17-0-2 at home against non-conference opponents in regular-season action. In those 19 games, the Deacs have outscored opponents 52-2.
How It Happened
Demon Deacon Details of Note
From Coach da Luz
"We controlled the tempo tonight. Our passing was outstanding and we maintained possession for long stretches. We still have some work to do in the final third of the game but that will come the more we play together. Three shutouts in three games is fantastic and it's something to take a lot of pride in. We're looking forward to a tough match at Mississippi State on Sunday."
Up Next
The top-10 Deacs head to Starkville, Miss. for their first road test of the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The match will be streamed nationally on SECN with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Despite the 'Cats early score attempts, Wake Forest struck first. Redshirt sophomore Sierra Sythe netted her first goal of the season off a diagonal pass from freshman Kylie Maxwell. Senior Brooke Miller recorded her first points with Wake Forest with a secondary assist on Sythe's strike.
The Deacons entered the second half with the 1-0 lead and tallied six total shots to the 'Cats four. Just two minutes into the second half, freshman Kylie Maxwell battled off an opposing defender to notch her second goal of the year. In just three games with the Old Gold and Black, Maxwell has recorded two goals, two assists and six total points.
After earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors during the opening week of the season, Amaral faced eight shots and made two saves to record her third clean sheet of the year and tenth of her career. This marks the most consecutive shutouts to start a season dating back to 2021.
Since the 2020-21 season, Wake Forest is 17-0-2 at home against non-conference opponents in regular-season action. In those 19 games, the Deacs have outscored opponents 52-2.
How It Happened
- Redshirt sophomore Valentina Amaral was tested early, as the 'Cats recorded the first two shots of the contest.
- Wake Forest struck first as freshman Kylie Maxwell sent the ball across the box and found redshirt sophomore Sierra Sythe to net the score at the 8th minute mark.
- Senior Brooke Miller also recorded an assist on the goal, her first as a Deac and first career assist overall.
- Maxwell has recorded points in every match thus far this season.
- Amaral came up big in the 29th minute and registered the second save of the contest to hold the lead.
- Just seconds later, the Deacons continued to apply pressure as Miller found another scoring opportunity.
- Wake Forest entered the break leading 1-0.
- Just a minute and a half into the second half, Maxwell fought her way through the Villanova defense and buried the ball deep to extend the Deacs' lead.
- Senior Taryn Chance created another scoring opportunity for Wake Forest as she set up freshman Alejandra Gomez for a header, but was unable to find the back of the net.
- The Wildcats tested Amaral once again at the 72nd minute, but the Oviedo, Fla. native remained unrattled between the posts.
- Villanova continued to apply pressure in the final minutes with back-to-back corners, but Wake Forest held on to secure the 2-0 result.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
- Sophomore Lola Ressler made her first career start.
- Senior Brooke Miller tallied her first career assist, as well as her first points in the Old Black and Gold.
- Four freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Allie Flanagan, Aislynn Maguire, Sydney Schuler and Tahlia Zadeyan.
- Senior Taryn Chance made her 20th career appearance.
- Redshirt sophomore Valentina Amaral recorded her 10th career shutout.
From Coach da Luz
"We controlled the tempo tonight. Our passing was outstanding and we maintained possession for long stretches. We still have some work to do in the final third of the game but that will come the more we play together. Three shutouts in three games is fantastic and it's something to take a lot of pride in. We're looking forward to a tough match at Mississippi State on Sunday."
Up Next
The top-10 Deacs head to Starkville, Miss. for their first road test of the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The match will be streamed nationally on SECN with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
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