Wake Forest women lose to Boston College

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Junior Amanda Howell scored her first career goal, and Wake Forest took No. 9 Boston College to the wire, before falling to the Eagles 2-1 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Spry Stadium.

The match was Wake’s annual “Kick For the Cure” game. The Demon Deacons wore pink  Nike jerseys that were auctioned off, raising over $1,500 dollars for the North Carolina Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Demon Deacons drop to 10-5-1 (5-3-1 ACC) while the Eagles improve to 11-4-1 (4-4-0 ACC).

Boston College took the lead just before the half on a Stephanie Wirth goal in the 41st minute, but Howell leveled the game for the Deacs in the 76th minute on a penalty kick. Both teams had opportunities in overtime, before Natalie Crutchfield drew a penalty kick in the 99th minute that was converted by Kristen Mewis to give the Eagles the 2-1 victory.

Aubrey Bledsoe took the loss in net for the Deacs, making two saves, while Jillian Mastroianni earned the win for BC.

Boston College had the better of the play in the opening period, but were continually frustrated by the Wake Forest defense.

The Eagles finally broke through in the 40th minute. Mewis found the ball during a scramble in the box and headed it in the direction of Wirth, who put the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box, giving BC a 1-0 halftime lead.

Wake Forest brought pressure in the second half, and the Deacons capitalized when Katie Stengel drew a penalty kick in the 76th minute that was driven home by Howell for to tie the game at 1-1. The Deacs continued to press as regulation ticked down, but were unable to find a goal, sending the match to overtime.

Marisa Park had the best chance of the overtime period for Wake Forest in the 97th minute when she blasted a shot from 21 yards that went just over the crossbar.

Boston College found the game-winner in the 99th minute. Crutchfield was fouled while making a run in the right side of the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick for the Eagles. Mewis stepped up to the spot and delivered a well-struck shot to give Boston College the 2-1 victory.

Wake Forest will close out the regular season with its Senior Day match against No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Spry Stadium. Demon Deacon seniors Amanda Barasha, Bianca D’Agostino, Victoria Delbono and Casey Luckhurst will be honored on the field.