Oct. 8, 2008

Wake Forest-Duke Game Notes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The 15th-ranked Wake Forest (8-3-0, 1-2-0 ACC) women's soccer team hits the road for the first time in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season, traveling to Durham, N.C., to meet No. 11 Duke (9-2-1, 1-1-1 ACC) on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

After opening conference play with a win over Maryland, the Deacons have dropped back-to-back matches against Boston College and North Carolina. Wake currently sits in seventh in the ACC standings with three points.

The Deacs are coming off a 4-2 loss to No. 2 North Carolina last Sunday. The Deacons twice cut the Tar Heel lead to one, but were unable to score the equalizing goal. Jill Hutchinson and Amy Smerdzinski each scored goals in the game for Wake Forest.

Hutchinson and Allie Sadow are currently tied for the team lead in goals with six each. Hutchinson leads the team in assists with five and points with 17.

Duke enters Thursday's match with a 9-2-1 record, including a 1-1-1 mark in ACC play. In conference play, the Blue Devils have defeated NC State, lost to North Carolina and tied Boston College. Duke is currently ranked 11th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and 12th by Soccer America.

Leading the way offensively for Duke is 2007 All-ACC Second Team member Elisabeth Redmond, who has scored eight goals on the season and has 20 points. Redmond, Marybeth Kreger and Jane Alukonis are tied for the team lead in assists with four.

Cassidy Powers starts in goal for the Blue Devils, playing all 12 games this season. She has allowed nine goals on the season and has made 34 saves.

Wake Forest and Duke are meeting for the 19th time in series history with the Blue Devils leading the overall series 11-5-2. The Deacons are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Duke, including a 1-0 overtime win in the ACC Tournament last season.

Live stats from Thursday's match will be available at goduke.com. A recap from the game will be available at wakeforestsports.com.

-WakeForestSports.com-