DURHAM, N.C. – Rachel Nuzzolese found the back of the net twice on blistering free kicks to give Wake Forest a 2-1 upset victory over No. 14 Duke at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C. on Thursday in the ACC opener for both teams. The win was the Deacons’ first-ever road victory against the Blue Devils.

 

Wake Forest improves to 7-3-0 on the season while Duke falls to 6-2-2.

 

“Today was the standard for getting an ACC win,” said head coach Tony da Luz. “It was a tough win against Duke. They’ve been fantastic this year, while playing a really tough schedule. To get a win here, a place we’ve never won before, against a great team like Duke is a high standard for our team. The key for the team will be pouring every single ounce of energy into every game. Hopefully we’ll be able to duplicate the effort on Sunday against Clemson.”

 

Nuzzolese scored for the first time in the 25th minute, driving the ball into the top-right corner off a free kick from a nearly impossible angle on the left side of the box to give the Deacons a 1-0 lead. The Blue Devils equalized in the 62nd minute when a long through ball put Laura Weinberg on a breakaway and she slid the ball under Bledsoe and into the bottom of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

 

Nuzzolese answered back only six minutes later, drawing a free kick at the top of the box 23 yards from goal, and blasting the free kick over the wall and just under the cross bar to put Wake Forest ahead 2-1. Three of her team-leading eight goals this season have come on set pieces. The Melville, N.Y. native entered the week leading all Division I freshmen in points, and her brace was her first multi-goal performance of the season.

 

“Having a player that can score on set pieces definitely changes the game,” said da Luz. “We were absorbing a lot of pressure in the first half and we got that break and that foul and it gives everybody a mental lift. Instead of getting worn down mentally, you get a burst. We’ve got to have her on the field because she can do that every time.”

 

The Blue Devils brought consistent pressure throughout the entire night, outshooting Wake Forest 15-5, including 9-3 in the second half, but the Deacons had one of their best defensive efforts of the season. Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe had a solid performance, earning the win while making three saves, and the team defended collectively from start to finish.  

“We were very organized, the ball-winning was terrific, and that’s what it takes to win in this league,” said da Luz. “Before the game, I told them that this was the first ACC game for this team, so this was our opportunity to show whether we were going to be tough and competitive. The effort and team spirit all the way through the bench was terrific. The subs came on an did a great job. I can’t single anybody out. (Nuzzolese) got the goals, but we were also very good defensively.”

 

The Demon Deacons won’t have long to enjoy their win as they will immediately begin preparation Sunday’s game against Clemson, their first home ACC game of the season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Spry Stadium, and the game will be streamed live on WakeForestSports.com via the CBS Sports All-Access package.

 

“We’re going to do our homework, watch a ton of video and try to know their team inside out,” said da Luz. “We have to be prepared of everything they can do and take care of our own performance.”