WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – First half goals from Katie Stengel and Marisa Park gave No. 17 Wake Forest a 2-0 victory over Kentucky Sunday afternoon at Spry Stadium. The Deacons went a perfect 2-0 on the weekend, winning the ACC/SEC Challenge title.

 

The Deacs improve to 4-1-0 on the year while the Wildcats fall to 3-1-0.

 

Wake Forest took an early 1-0 lead in the 14th minute after a 24-yard shot from Jackie Logue rattled off the crossbar and Stengel was there to put the ball into the vacant net. The Deacs struck again in the 41st minute when Alisha Woodson lofted a high ball into the box from almost midfield, and Park managed to get a head on it at the back post to put Wake Forest ahead 2-0.

 

“I’m happy that we got an early goal, because it took some of the pressure off of us,” said head coach Tony da Luz. “To get two wins was huge. We’re conditioning the team to get used to two-game weekends because that’s what we’ll face in ACC play. The two goals we scored were good goals, and we created a lot of chances in the run of play, while limiting their chances to free kicks.”

 

Stengel’s goal was her second game-winner of the weekend after she also scored the deciding goal against LSU on Friday. The freshman ranks second on the team with three goals this season.

 

“(Stengel) is looking like a complete player,” said da Luz. “She pressures hard and does a great job defensively as well. She’s really strong holding the ball under pressure for us, and she created opportunities with crosses. I’m happy that she got a couple goals this weekend.”

 

The Demon Deacons dominated the contest from beginning to end, outshooting the Wildcats 21-3, and not allowing a Kentucky shot until midway through the second half. Aubrey Bledsoe made one save while earning her second shutout of the season.

 

“We cleared out more space for (Bledsoe) on set pieces today,” said da Luz. “We pushed up a little higher so that she could come and get the ball. She did a really good job early with communication on those balls. It was a definite improvement.”

 

Freshman forward Rachel Nuzzolese led the Deacons with six shots, but failed to find the net for the first time this season, ending her goal-scoring streak at four games.

 

No player had more than one shot for Kentucky, and Wildcats did not have any real scoring chances until the 88th minute when a long shot from Taylor Ray clanged off the inside of the left post.

 

Wake Forest players Stengel, Nuzzolese, Bianca D’Agostino and Caralee Keppler were named to the ACC/SEC Challenge All-Tournament Team.

 

The Deacons peppered Kentucky goalkeeper Sydney Hiance from the outset, unleashing 12 shots in the first half and nine in the second.

 

The team will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Blacksburg, Va. to face Vanderbilt and Villanova in the Hilton Garden Invitational. The Deacs will face the Commodores on Friday Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. before taking on the Wildcats on Sunday Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m.

 

“Next weekend we play two tough teams in Vanderbilt and Villanova,” said da Luz. “It’s a Big East team and another SEC team, and they’re both really good, so we’re looking forward to next weekend.”

 

ACC/SEC Challenge All-Tournament Team

 

Rachel Nuzzolese (Wake Forest)

Bianca D’Agostino (Wake Forest)

Katie Stengel (Wake Forest)

Caralee Keppler (Wake Forest)
Natalie Horner (Kentucky)

Caitlin Landis (Kentucky)

Jenna Goblirsch (Kentucky)

Ashley VanLandingham (Kentucky)

Kelly Lynch (Virginia Tech)

Katie DeTuro (Virginia Tech)

Kelly Conheeney (Virginia Tech)