Wake Forest Athletics
ProDeacs: Demon Deacons Finding Success Across the Globe
2/2/2026 5:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Nine Wake Forest alums will compete in the NWSL this upcoming season, of which features Laurel Ansbrow who begins her journey in the league with the Boston Legacy in its inaugural year.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – An exciting new season of professional women's soccer is on the horizon, with dozens of Wake Forest women's soccer alums spread across leagues and the globe. The Gainbridge Super League kicked off the new year with a slate of matches this past Saturday, while the NWSL is set for February and March kickoffs. Outside of the United States, the Northern Super League is coming off of its inaugural season as a league, while Demon Deacons in the English Championship embark on the second half of their seasons.
Gainbridge Super League
The USL embarks on the second half of its season in January, as three Demon Deacons are set for their winter fixtures: Emily Morris and All-ACC Freshman Team member Giovanna DeMarco with Carolina Ascent, and 2025 All-American Emily Colton with DC Power.
In her first season with Carolina Ascent, Morris totaled eight starts in 10 appearances and tallied her first-career assist. Also completing her first professional campaign in 2025, Colton made 10 starts in 11 appearances with a goal and led the team with three assists.
Upcoming Matches
NWSL
This past season, four-time All-ACC selection Katie Stengel helped Gotham FC claim its second NWSL title in three seasons, as she faced off against former teammate and three-time All-American, Aubrey Kingsbury of the Washington Spirit. Gotham will open its season against the newly formed Boston Legacy, of which 2024 Elite 90 Award winner Laurel Ansbrow is part of. Ansbrow joined the team following a stint with Fort Lauderdale FC in the Super League.
The Spirit, meanwhile, begin their spring at home versus the Portland Thorns, a squad which features Mac Hermann finalist, Caiya Hanks. Hanks joined the Thorns midseason, tallied seven starts in eleven matches and notched two goals and one assist before being sidelined with a season ending injury.
Set for her first season in Salt Lake, Madison Hammond makes her debut with the Utah Royals, following four years with Angel City FC. The 2019 All-ACC Second Team honoree will battle with Bayley Feist of the Kansas City Current.
In her second year with the Orlando Pride, 2024 All-American Zara Chavoshi opens the season facing off with 2018 graduate, Ryanne Brown of Seattle Reign. Brown recently signed a one-year contract extension and returns to action in 2026 after an injury the previous season.
Rounding out the NWSL, the 2020 All-ACC Third Team and All-Region selection Hannah Betfort starts her second season with the NC Courage.
Upcoming Schedule
Northern Super League
This past year marked the inaugural season of the Northern Super League, noted as a top-division professional women's soccer league of Canada. Two Demon Deacons have excelled already in the league's first year: Nikki Small (AFC Toronto) and Mariah Lee (Vancouver Rise). Lee and Small faced off in the inaugural NSL championship final, which saw the Rise secure a 2-1 victory over Toronto.
Following completion of the regular season, Small and the AFC Toronto squad completed the year with a historic victory over NWSL Shield winning Kansas City Current in the World Sevens Tournament.
English Championship
Malaika Meena is currently in her second year with Bristol City, a team that sits third in the FA Women's Cup. battling for promotion to the first division. Also fighting for a spot in the top flight is Newcastle United. A graduate of the class of 2024, Emily Murphy is also in her second year with the club and has totaled five goals and four assists in her 18 appearances.
Upcoming Schedule
Gainbridge Super League
The USL embarks on the second half of its season in January, as three Demon Deacons are set for their winter fixtures: Emily Morris and All-ACC Freshman Team member Giovanna DeMarco with Carolina Ascent, and 2025 All-American Emily Colton with DC Power.
In her first season with Carolina Ascent, Morris totaled eight starts in 10 appearances and tallied her first-career assist. Also completing her first professional campaign in 2025, Colton made 10 starts in 11 appearances with a goal and led the team with three assists.
Upcoming Matches
- Emily Morris - Carolina Ascent
- Giovanna DeMarco - Carolina Ascent
- Last: L, 1-1 at Sporting Jax (5:00 p.m. ET)
- Next: Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Lexington SC (2:00 p.m. ET)
- Emily Colton - DC Power
- Next: Saturday, Feb. 7 at Sporting Jax (5:00 p.m. ET)
NWSL
This past season, four-time All-ACC selection Katie Stengel helped Gotham FC claim its second NWSL title in three seasons, as she faced off against former teammate and three-time All-American, Aubrey Kingsbury of the Washington Spirit. Gotham will open its season against the newly formed Boston Legacy, of which 2024 Elite 90 Award winner Laurel Ansbrow is part of. Ansbrow joined the team following a stint with Fort Lauderdale FC in the Super League.
The Spirit, meanwhile, begin their spring at home versus the Portland Thorns, a squad which features Mac Hermann finalist, Caiya Hanks. Hanks joined the Thorns midseason, tallied seven starts in eleven matches and notched two goals and one assist before being sidelined with a season ending injury.
Set for her first season in Salt Lake, Madison Hammond makes her debut with the Utah Royals, following four years with Angel City FC. The 2019 All-ACC Second Team honoree will battle with Bayley Feist of the Kansas City Current.
In her second year with the Orlando Pride, 2024 All-American Zara Chavoshi opens the season facing off with 2018 graduate, Ryanne Brown of Seattle Reign. Brown recently signed a one-year contract extension and returns to action in 2026 after an injury the previous season.
Rounding out the NWSL, the 2020 All-ACC Third Team and All-Region selection Hannah Betfort starts her second season with the NC Courage.
Upcoming Schedule
- Laurel Ansbrow - Boston Legacy
- Next: Saturday, Mar. 14 vs. Gotham FC (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Katie Stengel - Gotham FC
- Next: Saturday, Mar. 14 at Boston Legacy (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Aubrey Kingsbury - Washington Spirit
- Next: Friday, Mar. 13 vs. Portland Thorns (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Madison Hammond - Utah Royals
- Next: Saturday, Mar. 14 at Kansas City Current (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Ryanne Brown - Seattle Reign
- Next: Sunday, Mar. 15 at Orland Pride (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Bayley Feist - Kansas City Current
- Next: Saturday, Mar. 14 vs. Utah Royals (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Caiya Hanks - Portland Thorns
- Next: Friday, Mar. 13 at Washington Spirit (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Zara Chavoshi - Orlando Pride
- Next: Sunday, Mar. 15 vs. Seattle Reign (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Hannah Betfort - NC Courage
- Next: Saturday, Mar. 14 vs. Racing Louisville (7:00 p.m. ET)
Northern Super League
This past year marked the inaugural season of the Northern Super League, noted as a top-division professional women's soccer league of Canada. Two Demon Deacons have excelled already in the league's first year: Nikki Small (AFC Toronto) and Mariah Lee (Vancouver Rise). Lee and Small faced off in the inaugural NSL championship final, which saw the Rise secure a 2-1 victory over Toronto.
Following completion of the regular season, Small and the AFC Toronto squad completed the year with a historic victory over NWSL Shield winning Kansas City Current in the World Sevens Tournament.
English Championship
Malaika Meena is currently in her second year with Bristol City, a team that sits third in the FA Women's Cup. battling for promotion to the first division. Also fighting for a spot in the top flight is Newcastle United. A graduate of the class of 2024, Emily Murphy is also in her second year with the club and has totaled five goals and four assists in her 18 appearances.
Upcoming Schedule
- Malaika Meena - Bristol City
- Last: W, 3-0 vs. Sunderland
- Next: Sunday, Feb. 8 at Crystal Palace
- Emily Murphy - Newcastle United
- Last: Draw, 1-1 vs. Ipswich Town
- Next: Sunday, Feb. 8 at Southampton
Players Mentioned
Defender
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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