Wake Forest Remained Undefeated After Defeating California

The Wake Forest women's soccer team secured a 3-1 victory to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Soccer

Wake Forest Remained Undefeated After Defeating California

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Wake Forest moved to 9-0 on the season after a 3-1 victory against California on September 17, 2026. The win also improved the team to 2-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Why it matters

The victory keeps Wake Forest at the top of their conference standings and extends their winning streak to nine games. The win demonstrates the team's ability to remain composed in late-game situations against tough competition.

Wake Forest goalkeeper Valentina Amaral recorded six saves in the match, bringing her career total to 155. The team reached a 2-0 conference record with goals in the 36th, 78th, and 85th minutes.

The players

Valentina Amaral

She is a goalkeeper for Wake Forest who reached 50 career appearances and has 155 career saves.

Henley Tippins

She is a soccer player for Wake Forest who scored a goal in the 36th minute of the match.

Sierra Sythe

She is a Wake Forest soccer player who scored a go-ahead goal on a free-kick in the 78th minute.

Chloe Burst

She is a soccer player for Wake Forest who converted a 1-on-1 chance in the 85th minute.

The details

Henley Tippins opened the scoring in the 36th minute after an assist from Kylie Maxwell. Following a California equalizer, Sierra Sythe scored on a free-kick in the 78th minute, and Chloe Burst added an insurance goal in the 85th minute.

September 17, 2026: Wake Forest defeated California.
September 20, 2026: Wake Forest faces Stanford at 4 p.m.

Season Trajectory

This win positions Wake Forest as a primary contender for the Atlantic Coast Conference women's soccer championship. Their undefeated start forces other teams in the conference to adjust their defensive strategies when facing this high-scoring lineup.

The victory keeps Wake Forest unbeaten with a 2-0 conference record, significantly bolstering their position in the regional standings. The team now prepares for a high-stakes matchup against Stanford to continue their winning streak.

The takeaway

Maintaining an undefeated record requires balanced play from both the offensive and defensive units. Consistent goalkeeping and opportunistic scoring remain the keys to success as the team enters a challenging stretch of the conference schedule.