WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA — #7 Wake Forest held off a late South Carolina rally to secure a 2-1 victory Friday night in a tightly contested matchup. The Demon Deacons struck twice in the first half and early second half before the Gamecocks mounted a furious comeback attempt that fell just short. The home side's ability to weather South Carolina's pressure down the stretch proved the difference in a match that showcased the defensive intensity both teams brought to the field.
Wake Forest's attack came out firing from the opening moments. Kylie Maxwell broke through in the 14th minute to give the hosts an early advantage, setting the tone for a dominant first-half performance. The Demon Deacons controlled possession and limited South Carolina's opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, building what appeared to be a comfortable cushion. Then, just past the hour mark, Sammi Wiemann extended Wake Forest's lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute, seemingly putting the match out of reach.
But South Carolina refused to fold. Cuyler Zulauf pulled one back in the 63rd minute with an assist from Katie Shea Collins, injecting new life into the Gamecocks' attack. The goal sparked a frantic final stretch where South Carolina pressed relentlessly, searching for an equalizer that would have shifted momentum entirely. Wake Forest's defense, however, held firm when it mattered most, absorbing wave after wave of pressure without surrendering another goal.
The first half belonged almost entirely to Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons dominated the midfield battle and created multiple scoring opportunities beyond Maxwell's opening goal. South Carolina struggled to establish any rhythm in the attacking third, spending much of the period defending deep and looking to hit on the counter. Wake Forest's early aggression set the stage for what looked like it might become a comfortable home victory.
The second half took a dramatic turn once Zulauf's goal cut the deficit in half. South Carolina suddenly found its footing, pressing higher up the pitch and forcing Wake Forest into a more defensive posture. The Gamecocks generated several chances in the final 20 minutes, testing the Demon Deacons' resolve. Wake Forest's backline, however, remained organized and disciplined, denying South Carolina the space needed to complete the comeback.
Wiemann's two-goal performance highlighted Wake Forest's attacking depth, while Maxwell's early strike set the tone for the home side's dominant opening. For South Carolina, Zulauf's goal and the team's second-half intensity showed the Gamecocks possessed the quality to compete with a ranked opponent, even if the final result didn't reflect their late-game efforts.
Wake Forest's victory demonstrates the Demon Deacons' ability to control matches and protect leads against determined opponents. The ranked home side showed the composure and defensive organization required to withstand South Carolina's pressure-packed finish, securing three points in a match that remained competitive throughout its final stages. Wake Forest now plays #2 ranked Michigan State.