Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Falls To No. 25 Wake Forest 2-0

By: Sam Mostow | VT SMA '26
The Hokies went toe-to-toe with Wake Forest but weren’t able to generate many opportunities on Friday night. (Virginia Tech athletics)

Virginia Tech women’s soccer struggled to find shots on Friday night, attempting just three in a 2–0 loss to No. 25 Wake Forest.

None of the Hokies’ (5-4-1, 2-2 ACC) shots were on target, a big contrast from the Demon Deacons (8-1-2, 2-1-1 ACC), who took 11 shots, nine on goal. Forward Caiya Hanks tallied five by herself.

“I thought we played well in a lot of moments,” Hokies head coach Chugger Adair said. “We did a lot of good things. We got exposed a little bit in their counter or by their pace a couple times in the back, but I thought we created some good chances. I would have liked to see us take a chance or two early on and we didn’t get to turn the tide.”

The match was scoreless through the first half until Hanks struck in the 60th minute. Wake Forest midfielder Malaika Meena brought down a throw-in and notched a shot off the crossbar, rebounding to Hanks, who headed the ball into the net.

“The first goal was a little bit of a fluke — it was not a defensive shape thing — it was just kind of a little nick on a header, and I think that’s just unfortunate,” Virginia Tech goalkeeper Alia Skinner said.

In Adair’s eyes, the first goal required Tech to alter its strategy while playing from behind, which led to the second goal when the Demon Deacons caught them out on the counter attack.

“I’m disappointed — I thought we gave up a sloppy goal off the long throw, and that really changed a lot of the tone of the game,” Adair said. “It made us chase the game and it gave them a little bit of a leg up, and I was disappointed with that.”

Samantha DeGuzman and the Hokies only had three shots on goal against Wake Forest on Friday. (Virginia Tech athletics)

Skinner’s seven saves were a season-high, her highest total since 2021.

“She made a number of good saves in the first half and that was impressive,” Adair said. “I think she kept the ball out of the net and made a handful of saves. It kept us in the game in those counterattack opportunities… She had a pretty good match, so we’re pleased.”

Tech, as a whole, struggled to stop Wake Forest’s attack. Hanks finished with five shots for the Demon Deacons while Meena and forward Emily Murphy had two apiece. Nine of the team’s attempts were on goal.

“Wake is a great team,” Skinner said. “They’re ranked for a reason and they have some good wins. Their front runners are quality and they have good movement. I think we had a good defensive shape and we dealt with them pretty well.”

Wake’s second goal in the 84th minute, when Murphy sprinted past defenders and beat Skinner one-on-one, solidified Tech’s third loss against ranked teams this season. The Hokies previously fell at No. 20 Georgetown (2-1) and at No. 2 North Carolina (2-0).

The Hokies have two upcoming ACC home matches: vs. N.C. State (1-5-5, 0-1-2 ACC) on Oct. 5 and Clemson (8-1-2, 2-1 ACC) on Oct. 8. Tech has six more games in the regular season, games Adair hopes will bolster the Hokies for the future.

“This group is learning how to win games,” Adair said. “We’ve got some different kids playing up top, we’ve got some injuries, but we’re trying to figure out — with this group — how to win games. Who’s going to score goals consistently and be dangerous?”

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