VILLANOVA, Pa. – After a scoreless stalemate through 83 minutes of play, Wake Forest used an 84^th minute goal to take a 1-0 win over Villanova on Thursday at Higgins Soccer Complex.

The loss gives Villanova (3-3) its first set of back-to-back losses on the year. The Wildcats were outshot 29-2 in the loss with Wake Forest (4-1-1) landing 11 shots on frame. Hannah Dickinson and the Villanova defense once again faced a strong offensive force with the junior goalkeeper making 10 saves for a second consecutive game.

"We had a tough stretch here with two top-25 programs and we did a lot of work on our defensive shape," Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. "We grew from it, you know. I do think we should have gotten the result today, at least a tie. We did not do enough to earn a win, but very disappointed with six minutes left on the clock to give up a goal like that."

🎤Alex Little, @meredithrose28 and head coach @samar_azem check in after a 1-0 loss to Wake Forest. pic.twitter.com/8SDmFXTNsQ
— Villanova Women's Soccer (@NovaWSoccer) September 6, 2024
 

Both of Villanova's two shot attempts in the loss came in the first half with chances from Alex Little and Madison Shumate getting blocked by Wake Forest defenders. The Demon Deacons peppered on 11 shot attempts in the opening 45 with three of those of those landing on goal to all be saved by Dickinson.

One of Wake Forest's best chances in the first half came in the 21^st minute with Emily Murphy pushing her way to the top of the 18 yard box. She sent a strong look that was pushed away by Dickinson near the crossbar. Later in the 26^th minute, Murphy once again took a chance, this time from nearly 20 yards out. Her shot was picked up by Dickson who laid out for the save.

Wake Forest was given a set piece in the 62^nd minute that was taken by Zara Chavoshi from over 20 yard out. Her arching shot when toward the net but was punched behind the net by a leaping Dickinson, keeping the match scoreless.

The deciding goal came in the 84^th minute with Emily Colton racing into the penalty box to evade a few Wildcat defenders. Before crossing out of bounds, she pushed a pass back to an open Alex Woods inside the goal box. Woods sent a shot right by the right post that went over Dickinson and into the net to make it 1-0 with six minutes to play.

Villanova was unable to get a shot attempt down the stretch, but the 'Cats defense stopped a pair of shots to keep it a one-goal game.

Emily Colton led everyone on the pitch with eight shot attempts and three on frame. Wake Forest netminder Payton Cahill was not called upon for a save.

Villanova takes a week away from competition before hosting Bucknell next week. That contest is set for Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. inside Higgins Soccer Complex.