By:  Betsy Hicks, Sports Editor

The Wake Forest women’s soccer team lost in a high-tension shootout against the Florida State Seminoles in the November 6^th ACC Tournament championship game.

The Deacons came just short of a second consecutive ACC Championship title after the shootout. Wake Forest’s Rachel Nuzzolese made the team’s first shot; however, from there the Seminole keeper Kelsey Wys saved shots by Alisha Woodson, Katie Stengel and India Winford in succession.

“I think Florida State definitely did a good job of scouting us on penalties because (Wys) guessed right every time,” said head coach Tony da Luz. “We had the same kickers from last year. We went with our experience in the shootout situation, but in hindsight we probably should have at least had them shoot to the other side.”

When the Seminoles stepped up to shoot, they also converted their first goal. In addition, Seminoles’ CC Cobb and Marta Bakowska-Matthews successfully converted shots on Wake Forest goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

The Deacons led the game until the 86^th minute, when ‘Noles player Tiffany McCarty tied up the game. Goalkeeper Bledsoe did make a save in the 107^th minute to stop FSU from winning the game outright.

Wake Forest players Katie Stengel, Aubrey Bledsoe, Rachel Nuzzolese and Kim Marshall made the ACC All-Tournament team. Stengel, Nuzzolese, and Marshall were the team’s only unanimous selections. This is the second year in a row in which Wake Forest has had four players on the All-Tournament team, and the second consecutive year for Bledsoe and Stengel.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Deacons were named a no. 1 seed for the first time in the NCAA tournament and were able to host Summit League champion, Oakland, on Friday. The Wake Forest women trounced the Oakland team 2-0.

They next play Boston University at Kentner Stadium at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 18^th. Get out there and support one of Wake’s strongest teams!