by WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest battled top-ranked Virginia to a 1-1 draw to open ACC play at Spry Stadium on Friday night.
Madison Hammond (Navajo) put the Demon Deacons (5-2-2, 0-0-1 ACC) ahead with a penalty kick in the 87th minute, but the Cavaliers (8-0-1, 0-0-1 ACC) tied it in the final minute of regulation on an Anna Sumpter goal.
UVA came into the game leading the nation in goals at more than four per game and hadn’t scored less than two goals in a game this season.
“We had a very specific gameplan, and we executed it really well,” head coach Tony da Luz said. “We knew we had to defend a lot because Virginia is averaging four goals per game. We put ourselves in a really good position to win the game at the end and it’s unfortunate they tied it. But it’s a great game for us to build on for ACC play. It’s the number one team in the country and the kids played their hearts out.”
Wake Forest keeper Meghan Kennedy made seven saves to preserve the draw. After UVA was limited to four shots in the opening half, the Cavaliers took eight in the second half and six in the two overtime periods.
“It makes a statement about how we’re going to play in the ACC,” da Luz added. “One of our biggest goals for this year was to improve in ACC play and to be able to compete consistently every single day. I thought today we did that, and we got a great tie out of the game. It’s definitely something to build on.”
The Deacs continue ACC play against No. 8 Duke at home on Sept. 26.
