Wake Forest Athletics
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Wake Forest’s Sythe Tabbed with Third ACC Player of the Week Nod
9/8/2026 1:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The defender earned back-to-back weekly nods to open the year this past August.
CHARLOTTE – Redshirt-junior defender Sierra Sythe has been named ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
Sythe has been a standout individual on the Wake Forest women's soccer squad, both offensively and on the backline. The defender has gone the full 90 in all but one contest this season and leads the team with four goals and 11 points.
The Long Beach, Calif.-native recorded her first career-brace this past Sunday against No. 21 Florida, lifting the squad to a 2-1 victory over the Gators, as well as a perfect non-conference schedule. Prior to their win in Gainesville, the Deacs earned their sixth shutout of the season with a 3-0 victory over the South Florida Bulls and Sythe netting one of the three goals.
During both games in the Sunshine State, Sythe was called up to the line as Wake Forest earned penalty-kick opportunities and had no issue converting both. The defender has scored all three of the Deacs' penalty-kicks this season, helping to extend her goal-scoring streak to four games.
The redshirt-junior has also been a vital member of the defense, as the backline allowed just one shot on goal against South Florida, and three total shots across both halves. Additionally, the defense limited the No. 21 Florida Gators to two shots on goal. The Wake Forest backline continues to shut down tough opponents across the country, having yet to allow a goal at home and among the top five in the nation with one goal allowed in seven matches.
Sierra Sythe
Up Next
The Demon Deacons head back home to open the ACC slate, beginning with No. 10 Virginia Cavaliers, this Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The contest will be streamed on ACCNX with live stats available here.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Sythe has been a standout individual on the Wake Forest women's soccer squad, both offensively and on the backline. The defender has gone the full 90 in all but one contest this season and leads the team with four goals and 11 points.
The Long Beach, Calif.-native recorded her first career-brace this past Sunday against No. 21 Florida, lifting the squad to a 2-1 victory over the Gators, as well as a perfect non-conference schedule. Prior to their win in Gainesville, the Deacs earned their sixth shutout of the season with a 3-0 victory over the South Florida Bulls and Sythe netting one of the three goals.
During both games in the Sunshine State, Sythe was called up to the line as Wake Forest earned penalty-kick opportunities and had no issue converting both. The defender has scored all three of the Deacs' penalty-kicks this season, helping to extend her goal-scoring streak to four games.
The redshirt-junior has also been a vital member of the defense, as the backline allowed just one shot on goal against South Florida, and three total shots across both halves. Additionally, the defense limited the No. 21 Florida Gators to two shots on goal. The Wake Forest backline continues to shut down tough opponents across the country, having yet to allow a goal at home and among the top five in the nation with one goal allowed in seven matches.
Sierra Sythe
- ACC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 1)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2)
- Leads the Demon Deacons with five goals and 11 points.
- Is on a four-game goal streak.
- Also leads the Deacs with 10 SOG.
- Tied first in the nation and the ACC with three game-winning goals.
- Multiple call ups to the USYNT U-23 team
- Helped the Deacs to one of the best defensive records in the nation in 2024
- Started all 20 matches in 2025, totaling the most minutes of any outfield player
- Broke into the record book with nine assists and wrapped the previous year sixth among the program for most assists in a single season
- Finished second on the team with 15 points
- Recorded three goals across her appearances.
- Named No. 40 on TopDrawerSoccer Midseason Rankings in 2025
Up Next
The Demon Deacons head back home to open the ACC slate, beginning with No. 10 Virginia Cavaliers, this Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The contest will be streamed on ACCNX with live stats available here.
Follow The Deacs
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Defender
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