Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
No. 4 Wake Forest Back at Spry to Face the Wolfpack
10/3/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Deacs have yet to concede a goal this season on home turf.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Returning to the pitch after a two-week break, the No. 4 Wake Forest women's soccer team battles big-four rival NC State Wolfpack this Sunday, Oct. 4th at Spry Stadium.
The contest is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live on ACCNX with live stats available here.
Need to Know - Game 11
No. 4 Wake Forest (9-1) vs. NC State (9-1-2)
Sunday, Oct. 4 2026 - 5 PM - ACCNX
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Spry Stadium
Fan Information
Sunday's game is full of fun opportunities, including senior celebrations for goalkeeper Valentina Amaral and midfielder Dempsey Brown. As well, early arriving students can grab a Wake Forest soccer scarf. Sunday also will feature the theme "Deutschland Deacs", paying homage to the German National Team's time at Spry Stadium for World Cup Training.
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.
Ticket Information
Non-conference games are $15 for reserved seating in Section 3, and general admission in any of the bleachered sections is priced at $10 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 4-18). Meanwhile, ACC games are $20 for reserved seating with general admission set at $15 for adults and $10 for youth.
Attendance on Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill will remain free during all regular season action.
Ticket prices will increase by $5 on match days at the box office.
To secure your spot at Spry Stadium, visit godeacs.com/tickets (fees will be added for online purchases) or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336.758.3322.
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 Spry Advantage
The Deacs have posted a stellar 32-3-9 record at home since the start of 2022, with its lone loss over the past three seasons coming against No. 1 Duke in 2024. In 2025, Wake Forest finished the season with a 8-0-3 record at Spry, highlighted by a 1-1 draw with No. 1 Notre Dame to close the home regular season slate. The Deacs have yet to allow a goal on their home turf, and have a 22-game unbeaten streak at Spry Stadium, dating back to 2024.
Sythe of All Trades
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 sixth nationally and second in the conference with four-game winning goals, and tops the offensive categories for the Deacs. With six goals and 13 points, she held a four-game scoring streak prior to ACC play. Her consistency has shown up in other categories, converting 3-of-3 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
Wake Forest's defense has proven itself as one of the top defenses' in the country. Redshirt-junior Sierra Sythe and senior Sammi Wiemann continue to be secure pieces to the defense, with Sythe now on a 45-game start streak. Beyond her defensive skill, Sythe also leads the Deacs offensively across three categories. Sophomore Tahlia Zadeyan has settled into her role as centerback, bringing added height to the line. Sophomore Taylor Maxwell has been unstoppable in conference play and at the conclusion of non-con, helping to limit the Florida Gators to two shots on goal this past September. With the combined skills across the backline, Wake Forest limited No. 10 Virginia to three shots in their ACC opener. The Deacs 8th in the country and 1st in the ACC with a .889 save percentage, between the skills of the backline and efforts in goal. Additionally, the Demon Deacons are first in the conference and 10th in the nation with a team 0.400 goals against average.
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, earning her 30th career win against No. 10 Virginia to open conference competition. Amaral has recorded a shutout in all but two of her appearances this season, leading the conference and third in the nation. This past Wednesday, 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. Amaral ranks first in the conference and 14th in the nation with a 0.875 save percentage, allowing an ACC best four goals this season. Additionally, the All-America ranks third in Wake Forest program history with 18 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe).
Quick Hitters
Series History vs. NC State
Scouting the Wolfpack
Up Next
The Demon Deacons return to the Sunshine State for a battle with the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Oct. 10th. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ACCNX.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
The contest is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live on ACCNX with live stats available here.
Need to Know - Game 11
No. 4 Wake Forest (9-1) vs. NC State (9-1-2)
Sunday, Oct. 4 2026 - 5 PM - ACCNX
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Spry Stadium
Fan Information
Sunday's game is full of fun opportunities, including senior celebrations for goalkeeper Valentina Amaral and midfielder Dempsey Brown. As well, early arriving students can grab a Wake Forest soccer scarf. Sunday also will feature the theme "Deutschland Deacs", paying homage to the German National Team's time at Spry Stadium for World Cup Training.
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.
Ticket Information
Non-conference games are $15 for reserved seating in Section 3, and general admission in any of the bleachered sections is priced at $10 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 4-18). Meanwhile, ACC games are $20 for reserved seating with general admission set at $15 for adults and $10 for youth.
Attendance on Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill will remain free during all regular season action.
Ticket prices will increase by $5 on match days at the box office.
To secure your spot at Spry Stadium, visit godeacs.com/tickets (fees will be added for online purchases) or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336.758.3322.
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
- Action remained quiet through the opening stages, as the Cardinal pushed hard into the Deacs' defending end.
- Stanford recorded the first off-target attempt of the game in the 8th minute.
- The Demon Deacons earned some momentum back with corner kicks in the 20th and 22nd minutes.
- Wake Forest got its first good look towards the net in the 34th minute, with grad student Henley Tippins ready at the top of the box.
- Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Valentina Amaral recorded her first save of the night three minutes later.
- The Deacs remained drawn with the Cardinal, 0-0 at the break.
- Stanford tested Amaral in the 54th minute, as the Deacs' keeper made a diving save to push the ball wide.
- Senior defender Sammi Wiemann silenced multiple offensive chances, with a block and deflection out of the box
- The Cardinal maintained offensive pressure on the Demon Deacons, with a blocked off-target shot in the 61st minute.
- They added another in the 63rd minute, with senior midfielder Dempsey Brown there for the block.
- Stanford stayed hot in front of the box, crossing up high but redshirt-junior defender Sierra Sythe stretched to clear the chance.
- In the 68th minute, sophomore forward Kylie Maxwell saw her first good chance towards the net but was wide of the goal.
- The Demon Deacons got their first shot on goal of the afternoon in the 74th minute, with sophomore forward Allie Flanagan firing the ball.
- Stanford took the lead in the 77th minute.
- The Cardinal extended its advantage in the 90th minute.
- Wake Forest fell on the road to No. 6 Stanford, 2-0.
The Spry Advantage
The Deacs have posted a stellar 32-3-9 record at home since the start of 2022, with its lone loss over the past three seasons coming against No. 1 Duke in 2024. In 2025, Wake Forest finished the season with a 8-0-3 record at Spry, highlighted by a 1-1 draw with No. 1 Notre Dame to close the home regular season slate. The Deacs have yet to allow a goal on their home turf, and have a 22-game unbeaten streak at Spry Stadium, dating back to 2024.
Sythe of All Trades
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 sixth nationally and second in the conference with four-game winning goals, and tops the offensive categories for the Deacs. With six goals and 13 points, she held a four-game scoring streak prior to ACC play. Her consistency has shown up in other categories, converting 3-of-3 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
Wake Forest's defense has proven itself as one of the top defenses' in the country. Redshirt-junior Sierra Sythe and senior Sammi Wiemann continue to be secure pieces to the defense, with Sythe now on a 45-game start streak. Beyond her defensive skill, Sythe also leads the Deacs offensively across three categories. Sophomore Tahlia Zadeyan has settled into her role as centerback, bringing added height to the line. Sophomore Taylor Maxwell has been unstoppable in conference play and at the conclusion of non-con, helping to limit the Florida Gators to two shots on goal this past September. With the combined skills across the backline, Wake Forest limited No. 10 Virginia to three shots in their ACC opener. The Deacs 8th in the country and 1st in the ACC with a .889 save percentage, between the skills of the backline and efforts in goal. Additionally, the Demon Deacons are first in the conference and 10th in the nation with a team 0.400 goals against average.
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, earning her 30th career win against No. 10 Virginia to open conference competition. Amaral has recorded a shutout in all but two of her appearances this season, leading the conference and third in the nation. This past Wednesday, 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. Amaral ranks first in the conference and 14th in the nation with a 0.875 save percentage, allowing an ACC best four goals this season. Additionally, the All-America ranks third in Wake Forest program history with 18 career individual shutouts, behind NWSL Pros Kaitlyn Parks and Aubrey Kingsbury (Bledsoe).
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 fifth in the nation.
- The Demon Deacons completed the non-conference schedule 7-0-0 and one goal allowed on the road. They have yet to allow a goal at home.
- 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 339-206-67 (.609) record in his time with the Deacs.
Series History vs. NC State
- This Sunday marks the 33rd all-time meeting of the two programs.
- The Deacs are 20-9-3 against the Wolfpack, with a 10-2-2 record on home turf.
- The Demon Deacons have not lost to NC State at Spry Stadium since 1996.
- The Deacs are 20-9-3 against the Wolfpack, with a 10-2-2 record on home turf.
- Last season, Wake Forest suffered a 1-2 loss on the road at Dail Stadium.
- In 2024, the Deacs recorded a 3-0 victory against the Pack when the teams last competed at Spry Stadium.
Scouting the Wolfpack
- NC State is led by Gary Higgins, in his second season with the program. Higgins owns a career record of 115-57-32 across 11 seasons as a head coach, previously at the helm of ECU and Lenoir Rhyne.
- The Wolfpack are 9-1-2 this season, with a 4-0-2 mark on the road. They have yet to lose on the road. Their one loss was a 1-2 defeat by the Miami Hurricanes. Notable wins include a 2-2 draw with defending national champions Florida State and a 3-0 victory over Virginia Tech, who is receiving votes on the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
- Offensively, NC State is driven by Jade Bordeleau. The senior leads three categories in the conference and is second in two others with 13 goals, 27 points, 54 shots and 28 shots on goal. She leads the Pack in those respective categories, contributing over a third of the Wolfpack's total goals.
- NC State has allowed 11 goals in their 2026 campaign, limiting their opponents to an average of 7.7 shots per game.
- Freshman Riley Pickels anchors the Pack's backline, totaling 746 minutes in eight starts and nine appearances. Pickels has a 6-1-2 record in her rookie year, with two shutouts and 1.09 goals against average.
- The Wolfpack rely on a trio of veterans on defense with seniors Alex Mohr, Yuna Aoki and Carly Montgomery totaling the most minutes of outfield players so far this year.
- The group has also totaled a combined six goals, six assists and 18 points, with Mohr named ACC Defensive Player of the Week this past Tuesday.
Up Next
The Demon Deacons return to the Sunshine State for a battle with the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Oct. 10th. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ACCNX.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
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Midfielder
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Forward
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Forward
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Defender
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Defender
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Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's SoccerWednesday, September 30
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Friday, September 25