Wake Forest Blanks Clemson, Clinches ACC Third Seed
The 2-0 win at Spry Stadium secured the Demon Deacons' spot as the third seed in the ACC Women's Tournament.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Soccer
Wake Forest's women's soccer team defeated Clemson 2-0 on Thursday night at Spry Stadium. The win clinched the third seed in the ACC Women's Tournament for the fourth-ranked Demon Deacons.
Why it matters
The result secures a favorable tournament position for Wake Forest, which finished the regular season 14-2-1 overall and 7-2-1 in ACC play. It also closes out a season that has placed the program among the strongest in the conference.
Wake Forest finished the regular season 14-2-1 overall and 7-2-1 in ACC play, while Clemson finished 6-5-6 overall and 2-4-4 in conference matches. The team's remaining postseason path depends on results in the ACC Tournament, which had not yet been played at the time of the match.
The players
Sierra Sythe
Sythe is a Wake Forest forward who scored a penalty kick in the 59th minute to add to her career total of 15 goals.
Riley Cross
Cross is a Wake Forest player who scored the opening goal in the 32nd minute against Clemson.
The details
Riley Cross scored in the 32nd minute to give Wake Forest a 1-0 lead before Sierra Sythe converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute. Sythe's goal was her 15th career goal.
Timeline
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026: Wake Forest defeats Clemson 2-0 at Spry Stadium.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026: Wake Forest hosts sixth-seeded Duke at 6 p.m. at Spry Stadium in the ACC Tournament.
Season Trajectory
Earning the third seed under the ACC Women's Soccer Tournament format gives Wake Forest a placement within the conference's upper tier heading into postseason play. The result positions the program to contend in the bracket as the season moves into tournament competition.
The third seed means Wake Forest avoids the top two seeds in its early bracket path and will face sixth-seeded Duke at home on Sunday. Fans planning to attend can expect the match at Spry Stadium to begin at 6 p.m.
The takeaway
Wake Forest's home advantage and third-seed placement give the Demon Deacons a clear path to build on a strong regular season as ACC Tournament play begins.
What happens next
Wake Forest hosts sixth-seeded Duke on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Spry Stadium in the ACC Women's Tournament.
Further reading
For more local coverage, explore Winston-Salem Soccer coverage on Wisevoter.
