Sports > September 18, 2008

By Nick Oliphant | Staff writer

The Wake Forest women’s soccer team went 2-0 Sept. 12-14 in the Wake Forest Nike Tournament. The team defeated both Charlotte and No. 22-ranked Cal State-Fullerton by scores of 3-0 improving their record to 6-1-0.

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Wake Forest women’s soccer player heads the ball away from opposing player in a recent match against Cal State-Fullerton. The Deacons, now 6-1, will open their ACC season by hosting Maryland Sept. 25. (Mary Kate Wagner/Old Gold & Black)

In the first game Sept. 12 at Spry Stadium, sophomore Bianca D’Agostino, making just her second start of the season, put the Deacons on the board early. The transfer from Penn State netted a cross from junior Allie Sadow in the 10th minute putting the Deacs up 1-0.

The contest was physical. The two teams combined for 37 fouls, but that did not stop the Deacon offense from firing shots on goal.

In the 49th minute senior Amanda Lebo fired a shot from the top of the box that ricocheted off the Charlotte keeper and bounced into the net putting the Deacs up 2-0.

Junior Caitlin Farrell scored the third goal of the game for the Deacs just under four minutes later when the Charlotte keeper deflected D’Agostino’s free kick.

Farrell fired a shot from 14 yards out and found the back of the net clinching the 3-0 Deacon victory.

Junior goalkeeper Laura Morse picked up her second win of the season in just her second start. She made a season-high tying four saves.

The Deacons took a season-high 31 shots, including 12 shots on goal in route to easily defeating No. 22 Cal State Fullerton 3-0 Sept. 14 at Spry Stadium.

D’Agostino once again began the scoring when she netted a ball senior Camelyn Dillion sent into the box that was mishandled by the keeper in the 38th minute.

The goal was part of an explosive first half for the Deacons, who attempted 16 shots in the first 45 minutes, twice as many as the Titans attempted for the entire game.

In the second half, Sadow and junior Sarah Winslow scored within three minutes of each other to put the game away. The two shutouts, as Morse again played the entire game, brought the season total to five for the Deacons, in just seven games.

Four players were named to the all-tournament team: D’Agostino, Dillon, junior defender Bess Harrington and Morse.

D’Agostino was honored as the ACC Player of the Week and was named to the Soccer America Women’s Team of the Week after scoring the first two goals of her career, both game winners.

“The team performed at a much higher level from a competition standpoint,” Head Coach Tony da Luz said. The soccer quality was very good but the difference was a more intense mentality.”

He also noted that Harrington’s transition from midfield to central defense has been a key factor in the team’s success, as she and Farrell now form a strong partnership in central defense.

“They are two very imposing figures back there,” da Luz said.

The team next plays Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. against UNC-Greensboro at Spry Stadium, the final non-conference game before the team begins ACC play.

The Deacs begin ACC play when they host Maryland Sept. 25.