WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Clemson Tigers (6-5-6, 2-4-4 ACC) finished with four shots on goal, but ultimately dropped a 2-0 battle after the No. 4 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (14-2-1, 7-2-1 ACC) capitalized on two free kick opportunities in both a red card that left Clemson down a player 32' into the match and a penalty kick in the 59'.
In goal, graduate goalkeeper Nona Reason concluded the night with a season-high seven saves, six of which were made in the second half. Offensively, senior Dani Davis led the Tigers with two shots on goal, while Taylor Leib and Anna Castenfelt tallied one shot on goal each.
Both teams relied on defense in the first half, taking just 10 combined shots. The Demon Deacons, however, were able to capitalize on a red card issued to the Tigers in the 32'. Wake Forest was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box that Riley Cross sent to the top right corner of the net, out of Reason's reach to make it 1-0.
The Tigers offense responded quickly with three shots, including a header opportunity off of a corner from Davis that was saved by Wake Forest's Valentina Amaral, and a look from Reagan Thompson that went wide of the net.
Wake Forest's offense kept the Tigers under pressure in the second half, extending its advantage in the 59'. The Demon Deacons were awarded a penalty kick following a handball in the box. Sierra Sythe fired the shot to the left side of the net, past a diving Reason to make it a 2-0 deficit.
Ten minutes later, Taylor Leib found herself with open space following a series of passes off of a Wake Forest turnover. Leib took a shot, but Amaral made another save, diving out of the net to her right to deny the Tigers once again. This attempt would end up being the final shot the Tigers took, as Clemson fell to Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
Up Next
The Tigers await their NCAA Tournament fate, which will be announced during the NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, November 16, at 4 p.m.
