Wake Forest Athletics
Sunday, October 18
Winston-Salem, N.C.
3:30 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
No. 1 North Carolina
Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
No. 4 Wake Forest Set for Home Battle with No. 1 North Carolina
10/17/2026 12:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
This marks the two programs’ 42nd all-time meeting.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Competing for the first time since the 2024 College Cup Championship, No. 4 Wake Forest women's soccer will face the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels this Sunday, Oct. 18th at Spry Stadium.
The contest is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed nationally on ACCN with live stats available here.
Need to Know - Game 14
No. 4 Wake Forest (10-2-1, 3-2-1 ACC) vs. No. 1 North Carolina (12-1-0, 5-0-0 ACC)
Sunday, Oct. 18 2026 - 3:30 PM - ACCN
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Spry Stadium
Fan Information
Sunday will be the Deacs' final senior night of the season, as we celebrate defenders Sammi Wiemann and Sierra Sythe, as well as student managers Sophie Johnson and Addison Roberts.
Parking is encouraged in lots A, B, Q, W1 & W2. A complete parking map of campus is here.
Gates open one hour prior to kickoff for all home matches.
Accessibility Information
Wake Forest Athletics strives to provide content at games, social media and on GoDeacs.com that is accessible to all people. In the continued effort to improve accessibility of the technology and digital content at tomorrow's game, fans can access closed captions here for the public address announcer and in-venue content.
Wake Forest Athletics is always open to learning about new ideas and ways we can improve. Please report accessibility challenges, identify content you find inaccessible, or give us general feedback at maddenr@wfu.edu
Last Time Out
Sierra Snipe
Whether it's on offense or defense, redshirt-junior Sierra Sythe has been a commanding piece, guiding the Demon Deacons to a 7-0 record before conference play. The captain has gone the full 90 all but one game this season, still recording 82 minutes in the game. Sythe ranks fifth nationally and first in the conference with five-game winning goals, and tops the offensive categories for the Deacs. With seven goals and 15 points, she held a four-game scoring streak prior to ACC play. Her consistency has shown up in other categories, converting 4-of-4 penalty kicks for the Deacs. Sythe's efforts this season have earned her three ACC Player of the Week awards, and a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Leaderboard. Most recently, she was named on the Mac Hermann Midseason Trophy Watch List for the first time in her career.
Department of Defense
Beyond the efforts of the Wake Forest defense, the Deacs' anchors remain a shining element to the Demon Deacons' game. Redshirt-junior Valentina Amaral continues to dominate in goal, leading the ACC across multiple categories. She ranks first in the conference with 0.588 goals against average, 0.841 save percentage and seven shutouts. Additionally, the All-America is third in Wake Forest program history with 19 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe). In September, she was named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List, college soccer's highest individual honor. Redshirt-freshman Lizzie Thornton earned her first career start this past August, facing five shots and tallying three saves against Old Dominion. Thornton launched high to make a save in the 82nd minute, securing not only the 1-0 victory but her first career shutout.
Finder's Keepers
Beyond the efforts of the Wake Forest defense, the Deacs' anchors remain a shining element to the Demon Deacons' game. Redshirt-junior Valentina Amaral continues to dominate in goal, leading the ACC across multiple categories. She ranks first in the conference with 0.588 goals against average, 0.841 save percentage and seven shutouts. Additionally, the All-America is third in Wake Forest program history with 19 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe). In September, she was named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List, college soccer's highest individual honor. Redshirt-freshman Lizzie Thornton earned her first career start this past August, facing five shots and tallying three saves against Old Dominion. Thornton launched high to make a save in the 82nd minute, securing not only the 1-0 victory but her first career shutout.
Midfield Mania
The Wake Forest midfield has been a force to fear both at home and on the road. Junior Lola Ressler is second on the team with four goals, with her most recent strike against NC State in October. In August, Ressler netted her first career brace in August against Iowa. The midfielder's first goal against the Hawkeyes was just 46 seconds in, tying fourth in program history for fastest goal scored. Alongside Ressler, senior captain Dempsey Brown recorded her first career goal in the home opener against No. 16 LSU, earning her TopDrawerSoccer National Player of the Week. The midfielder has shown versatility, slotting into the backline for three games this season.
Quick Hitters
Series History vs. North Carolina
Scouting the Tar Heels
Up Next
The Deacs are back on the road to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday, Oct. 22nd in Blacksburg, Va. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with streaming available on ACCNX.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
The contest is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed nationally on ACCN with live stats available here.
Need to Know - Game 14
No. 4 Wake Forest (10-2-1, 3-2-1 ACC) vs. No. 1 North Carolina (12-1-0, 5-0-0 ACC)
Sunday, Oct. 18 2026 - 3:30 PM - ACCN
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Spry Stadium
Fan Information
Sunday will be the Deacs' final senior night of the season, as we celebrate defenders Sammi Wiemann and Sierra Sythe, as well as student managers Sophie Johnson and Addison Roberts.
Parking is encouraged in lots A, B, Q, W1 & W2. A complete parking map of campus is here.
Gates open one hour prior to kickoff for all home matches.
Accessibility Information
Wake Forest Athletics strives to provide content at games, social media and on GoDeacs.com that is accessible to all people. In the continued effort to improve accessibility of the technology and digital content at tomorrow's game, fans can access closed captions here for the public address announcer and in-venue content.
Wake Forest Athletics is always open to learning about new ideas and ways we can improve. Please report accessibility challenges, identify content you find inaccessible, or give us general feedback at maddenr@wfu.edu
Last Time Out
- The No. 4 Wake Forest women's soccer team (10-2-1 3-2-1 ACC) suffered its second loss of the season, falling 2-0 to No. 24 Florida State (6-1-3, ACC 2-0-2), Thursday evening at Spry Stadium.
- The Deacs got off on the front foot, with back-to-back shots on goal in the 3rd minute.
- Graduate student forward Henley Tippins put a header attempt on target, with the FSU keeper there to collect the ball.
- In the sixth minute, redshirt-junior goalkeeper Valentina Amaral pulled out of the box to meet the Seminole attacker and block the shot out of play.
- Tippins saw another great look in the 11th minute, sending a header flying north of the crossbar.
- Sophomore forward Riley Cross put a shot on the Noles' keeper in the 20th minute.
- Florida State applied pressure to the Deacs' defense in the 35th minute, with Amaral taking the initial block and redshirt-junior defender Sierra Sythe stepping in net for the final clear.
- As time expired in the first half, Florida State took the 1-0 lead with two seconds remaining.
- Wake Forest entered the locker room trailing for the first time this season, but ahead of the Noles in possession.
- The Deacs pushed ahead out of the break, looking for shot opportunities.
- Amaral held strong between the posts, collecting a shot in the 59th minute.
- She doubled that in the 79th minute.
- Wake Forest fell to FSU, 0-2.
Sierra Snipe
Whether it's on offense or defense, redshirt-junior Sierra Sythe has been a commanding piece, guiding the Demon Deacons to a 7-0 record before conference play. The captain has gone the full 90 all but one game this season, still recording 82 minutes in the game. Sythe ranks fifth nationally and first in the conference with five-game winning goals, and tops the offensive categories for the Deacs. With seven goals and 15 points, she held a four-game scoring streak prior to ACC play. Her consistency has shown up in other categories, converting 4-of-4 penalty kicks for the Deacs. Sythe's efforts this season have earned her three ACC Player of the Week awards, and a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Leaderboard. Most recently, she was named on the Mac Hermann Midseason Trophy Watch List for the first time in her career.
Department of Defense
Beyond the efforts of the Wake Forest defense, the Deacs' anchors remain a shining element to the Demon Deacons' game. Redshirt-junior Valentina Amaral continues to dominate in goal, leading the ACC across multiple categories. She ranks first in the conference with 0.588 goals against average, 0.841 save percentage and seven shutouts. Additionally, the All-America is third in Wake Forest program history with 19 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe). In September, she was named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List, college soccer's highest individual honor. Redshirt-freshman Lizzie Thornton earned her first career start this past August, facing five shots and tallying three saves against Old Dominion. Thornton launched high to make a save in the 82nd minute, securing not only the 1-0 victory but her first career shutout.
Finder's Keepers
Beyond the efforts of the Wake Forest defense, the Deacs' anchors remain a shining element to the Demon Deacons' game. Redshirt-junior Valentina Amaral continues to dominate in goal, leading the ACC across multiple categories. She ranks first in the conference with 0.588 goals against average, 0.841 save percentage and seven shutouts. Additionally, the All-America is third in Wake Forest program history with 19 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe). In September, she was named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List, college soccer's highest individual honor. Redshirt-freshman Lizzie Thornton earned her first career start this past August, facing five shots and tallying three saves against Old Dominion. Thornton launched high to make a save in the 82nd minute, securing not only the 1-0 victory but her first career shutout.
Midfield Mania
The Wake Forest midfield has been a force to fear both at home and on the road. Junior Lola Ressler is second on the team with four goals, with her most recent strike against NC State in October. In August, Ressler netted her first career brace in August against Iowa. The midfielder's first goal against the Hawkeyes was just 46 seconds in, tying fourth in program history for fastest goal scored. Alongside Ressler, senior captain Dempsey Brown recorded her first career goal in the home opener against No. 16 LSU, earning her TopDrawerSoccer National Player of the Week. The midfielder has shown versatility, slotting into the backline for three games this season.
Quick Hitters
- Wake Forest remained at the top of the nation in recent polls, earning No. 4 on United Soccer Coaches and No. 8 TopDrawerSoccer. Their RPI ranks fourth in the nation.
- The Demon Deacons completed the non-conference schedule 7-0-0 and one goal allowed on the road.
- Redshirt juniors Valentina Amaral and Sierra Sythe have amassed numerous accolades already this season, including spots on the Mac Hermann Midseason Watch List.
- Sythe has been named ACC Defender of the week three times, while Amaral was named Goalkeeper of the week twice.
- Additionally, Sythe sits on the TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Leaderboard.
- Redshirt juniors Valentina Amaral and Sierra Sythe have amassed numerous accolades already this season, including spots on the Mac Hermann Midseason Watch List.
- Head Coach Tony da Luz is in his 30th season with the program, with a 340-206-68 (.609) record in his time with the Deacs.
Series History vs. North Carolina
- Wake Forest is 2-36-3 all time against the Tar Heels, and are 1-12-1 at Spry Stadium.
- The two programs met for the first time ever on Oct. 21, 1994.
- The two teams last faced off at the 2024 College Cup Championship, where North Carolina defeated the Deacs 1-0.
- Wake Forest has one win and one draw against the Tar Heels at home.
- Oct. 13, 2023: T, 1-1
- Oct. 27, 2000: W, 1-0
- The Deacs' last victory over North Carolina occurred on Oct. 21, 2012, where the No. 13 Demon Deacons defeated the No. 10 Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, 2-1.
Scouting the Tar Heels
- The Tar Heels are led by head coach Damon Nahas, who is in his third season with the program.
- North Carolina is 12-1-0 and 5-0-0 in the ACC, with a 5-0-0 record on the road.
- Notable victories include a 4-2 home win over Duke and a 3-1 victory at Virginia.
- Offensively, North Carolina averages 3.39 goals per game with 44 goals this season. They average 8.92 points per game, fifth best in the nation and first in the conference.
- The Tar Heel's scoring offense ranks third nationally and second in W-L-T percentage (0.923).
- Sophomore Bella Devey leads the offense with 14 goals, as well as five in ACC play. The mid/fwd also has five game-winners to her name.
- Defensively, the Heels have conceded eight goals (.62 per match). North Carolina relies on freshman Cali O'Neill on their backline, as the defender has recorded over 1,000 minutes, the most of any outfield player.
Up Next
The Deacs are back on the road to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday, Oct. 22nd in Blacksburg, Va. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with streaming available on ACCNX.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerWednesday, October 14
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