On August 23, the No. 11 Wake Forest women's soccer team will host Old Dominion at Spry Stadium, kicking off at 1 p.m. The contest marks the third meeting between the Demon Deacons and the Monarchs, a series in which Wake Forest holds a perfect 2‑0 record on its own turf.
Wake Forest arrives with a 3‑0 start to the season and a top‑11 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, while the Monarchs sit at 1‑2 after a modest opening stretch. The Demon Deacons' recent 2‑0 victory over Iowa showcased Lola Ressler's lightning‑quick brace, a feat that ranks among the program's fastest goals, and the team's dominant first‑half possession set the tone for the match.
Key storylines
Coach Will Roberts, in his inaugural season with Old Dominion, will look to translate a 13‑3‑4 record from the previous campaign into a competitive showing on the road. Meanwhile, Wake Forest's roster blends returning starters — including Sierra Sythe, Kylie Maxwell and Valentina Amaral — with a wave of transfers from programs such as UCLA, Georgetown and Penn State, bolstering depth heading into the final home fixture before a road trip to Portland.
The game is part of the school's "We Are Wake" initiative, which encourages fans to recognize distress and connect with support resources, adding a community‑focused layer to the on‑field action. Ticket pricing for the non‑conference match ranges from $10 general admission to $15 reserved seating, with youth tickets priced at $5, making the event accessible to a broad audience.
Beyond the standings, the matchup will also serve as a senior night celebration for seniors MJ Osborne and graduate student Henley Tippins, honoring their contributions to the program. The Demon Deacons' strong defensive record, highlighted by Amaral's 81 saves and a .796 career save percentage, will be tested against an opponent eager to make its mark under new leadership.
Individual accolades further underscore the stakes: Kylie Maxwell earned a spot on the Preseason All‑ACC team, while Maxwell, Sythe and Amaral received weekly conference nods. Dempsey Brown was recognized as TopDrawerSoccer’s National Player of the Week, and the team was named the publication’s Team of the Week, reflecting the program’s early momentum.
As the final home game before a road trip, the match promises to be a pivotal moment for the Demon Deacons, who will look to carry their early-season form into the next phase of the schedule while honoring the seniors who have shaped the program's recent success.