Wake Forest Soccer Off to Strong Start as Both Programs Earn Early Recognition
The NCAA soccer season is upon us, and both the men's and women's teams have high hopes for this year. Both teams received high honors in the preseason and in the first week of play. With plenty of Wake alumni performing on the highest stage, the soccer programs hope to return to the levels they were playing at during the 2024 season.
Both teams have had plenty of player turnover, including players with pro pedigree. They will seek to make an impact in one of the strongest conferences in NCAA soccer.
The expectations are high, as each game will mean a lot, especially in ACC play. With home games against some top ACC opponents, there is no doubt that, other than the elite players, the fans will be vital in helping the Deacons win games this Fall.
Women’s Soccer Defense Leads the Way
The women's soccer game is off to a fantastic start, beginning the season 2-0-0 with wins over SEC opponents South Carolina and 16th-ranked LSU. Their defense has been the standout so far, as the Deacons have yet to allow a goal this season.
In addition, players were already awarded honors, with Sierra Sythe being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week and Valentina Amaral being named Co-Goalkeeper of the Week. Sythe played all 180 minutes of both shutout wins, while Amaral had 6 saves in the two matches.
The 11th-ranked Demon Deacons have started the season hot and will continue to rely on their stellar defense to propel them to wins. With plenty of tough opponents coming up on the schedule, like Stanford and Virginia, the Demon Deacons hope to continue their momentum as they enter conference play.
Men’s Soccer Ready to Make Its Mark in 2026
The men's soccer season is about to start for the Deacons, with their first game coming soon against San Francisco. Like women's soccer, there are several talented teams in the ACC, including NC State, Stanford, and Virginia, so Wake will have its hands full in such a talented conference.
While they haven't played many games yet, they still have plenty of potential for this year. Senior midfielder Jeffrey White was even named to the ACC Preseason Watch List, displaying the promise he has shown in his previous years at Wake. He has also been named a captain for this season, showing the leadership he has displayed in his previous years.
There's plenty to be excited about for this year's soccer season. Demon Deacons are already receiving recognition for their talent, and there is plenty of potential for success for both the men's and women's teams. Soccer is always one of Wake's most competitive sports, so the early signs of success are very encouraging for a program as prestigious as Wake.
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Alex is a junior at Wake Forest University. He is studying decision analytics and computer science, and he’s interested in everything relating to sports. He was born and raised in East Greenwich, a small town in the smallest state, Rhode Island. His specialty is basketball, enjoying both playing and writing about the sport. The majority of his articles when he was a staff writer for The Old Gold and Black were basketball articles. When not writing or studying for his difficult coursework, Alex likes to spend time with friends and family and exercising.
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