The atmosphere at Spry Stadium was electric as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks in a much-anticipated ACC showdown. From the opening whistle, the home side asserted control, pressing high and dictating tempo.
In the 16th minute, junior forward Lola Ressler broke the deadlock with a clinical finish that sent the crowd into celebration. Her fifth career goal put the Deacons on the board and set the tone for a commanding performance.
The lead was doubled just after the half‑hour mark when sophomore midfielder Riley Cross redirected a cross into the net, marking her first career goal and capping a swift move down the right flank. The momentum continued to build, and the Deacons entered the break with a two‑goal advantage.
Defensive Mastery
Backline discipline proved pivotal, limiting the Gamecocks to just five shots on target. Redshirt‑junior goalkeeper Valentina Amral made a crucial save in the second half, preserving the clean sheet and reinforcing the team's reputation for defensive solidity.
The final blow came in the 80th minute when graduate student Henley Tippins headed home a corner to cap the scoring at 3‑0. The goal not only sealed the victory but also highlighted the depth of talent across the roster, with contributions from both newcomers and veterans alike.
The win extends Wake Forest's unbeaten home streak to 18 matches, a run that began in October 2024 and includes an impressive 8‑0‑3 record at Spry Stadium this season. The Deacons now sit atop the ACC standings with six points from two conference victories, a testament to their steady progression and collective ambition.