The 2026 women’s soccer season for Wake Forest begins with a marquee matchup as the Deacons, ranked No. 18 in the preseason polls, host LSU, the No. 16 Tigers, at Spry Stadium on Wednesday, August 12. The game, part of the ACC/SEC Clash series, will be streamed live on the ACC Network, giving fans across the country a chance to watch the opening night excitement.
A deep roster ready for battle
Wake Forest returns 14 players from the 2025 campaign, accounting for more than 60 percent of starters. Among them are ACC Freshman of the Year Kylie Maxwell, Sierra Sythe, Allie Flanagan and Lola Ressler, all of whom will look to build on last season’s momentum. Goalkeeper Valentina Amaral, now in her third year, posted six shutouts and 81 saves, posting a program‑record 0.84 GAA over the 2024‑25 stretch.
Adding to the mix are five transfers and six freshmen who bring new energy to the squad. Incoming players include Kaitlyn Sasadeusz from the University of San Francisco and goalkeeper Sofia Atehortua, a member of the U.S. Youth National Teams, both expected to contribute immediately.
Tigers poised to challenge
Coached by Sian Hudson, LSU arrives with five Preseason SEC Watch List honorees, highlighted by senior forward Ava Galligan, who led the Tigers with 11 goals and four assists in 2025. Between the posts, Audur Scheving logged 42 saves and six wins last season, giving the Tigers a reliable last line of defense.
Historically, Wake Forest holds a 3‑0 edge over LSU, including a 1‑0 clean‑sheet victory in 2025. That past dominance adds a narrative layer to the upcoming clash, even as both programs bring fresh line‑ups and ambitions.
Looking ahead
The Deacons’ schedule does not pause after the LSU encounter; they will travel to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday, August 16, at 5 p.m., with coverage again on ACCNX. Head Coach Tony da Luz, now in his 30th season with the program, brings a career record of 330‑205‑67 (.605) to the table, while Assistant Coach Christine Nairn, formerly of Penn State and the University of Alabama, joined the staff earlier in the year.
Beyond the on‑field action, Wake Forest Athletics continues to prioritize accessibility, offering closed captioning for live streams and encouraging fan feedback to improve the experience for all supporters.