Wake Forest advances to first NCAA Women’s College Cup final in program history

CARY, N.C. – Behind the lone marker in the game from senior midfielder Emily Morris, the Wake Forest women’s soccer team has advanced to the 2024 NCAA National Championship after defeating Stanford, 1-0, in the College Cup semifinals Friday night in Cary, N.C.

It marks the first championship appearance in program history for the Demon Deacons.

The Demon Deacons (16-3-4) broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when a cross from redshirt freshman Sierra Sythe found senior Emily Morris at the back post. Morris’ shot took a deflection off the The Cardinal (16-5-2) goalkeeper’s hand and off the deflection bounced over the touchline. The goal was the latest the first goal has been scored in a national semifinal since 2018.

The goal marked the fourth for Morris on the season and second of the postseason. Junior Caiya Hanks also picked up a secondary assist on the goal, marking her 12th of the season, breaking the program record for assists in a single season. Additionally, Hanks has recorded 34 points this season including 11 goals.

In net, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Valentina Amaral notched four saves in the game in order to secure her 11th win and her seventh clean sheet of the season.

On the defensive side, the back line of Sythe and seniors Laurel Ansbrow, Kristin Johnson, and Zara Chavoshi held the Cardinal to only seven shots on the game, moving to 5-1-2 this season when holding opponents to 6-to-10 shots allowed in a game.

For the first time in program history, the Demon Deacons will appear in the NCAA championship game, securing a rematch against either North Carolina or Duke on Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

To read more on Wake Forest’s historic College Cup run, click here.