No. 13 Wake Forest Set to Host ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Aug. 24, 2012
ACC/Big Ten Challenge Live Results
By Currie McFayden, Wake Forest Media Relations (@SIDeacons)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest field hockey team will kick off its 2012 campaign this weekend against Iowa and Michigan in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge to be hosted at Kentner Stadium.
In addition to the Deacs, Michigan, North Carolina and Iowa will each play two games on Saturday and Sunday. Wake Forest will clash with Iowa on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and with Michigan at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Wake Forest in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Since the tournament began in 2001, the Demon Deacons have posted a 17-5 record against their Big Ten foes, going 10-1 against the Wolverines and 7-3 against the Hawkeyes. Wake's only other loss in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge came in the first year of the event when it dropped a 2-0 decision to Michigan State.
In 2011, the Deacons dropped a pair of heartbreakers, losing by only one goal to both Iowa (3-2) and Michigan (2-1). Iowa jumped ahead with a pair of first-half goals and did not relinquish the lead in the Aug. 27, 2011, contest, while Michigan netted the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute to steal a win the very next day.
Deacons Picked No. 13 in NFHCA Preseason Poll
Wake Forest will begin the season ranked 13th in the nation following the release of the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association's preseason poll on Aug. 21. The ranking is similar to the Deacs' starting position in 2011, when they opened the season ranked 11th.
Each of the four teams in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge is ranked in the top 15, with North Carolina leading the pack at No. 2. The Tar Heels opened with 799 points and 15 first-place votes, just shy of fellow ACC competitor and 2011 national champion Maryland. No. 10 Michigan grabbed 426 points and sits just one position behind top Big Ten team Penn State. Iowa stands just ahead of Wake Forest at No. 12 with 347 points and the Deacs round out the list in 13th with 293 points.
Rae, Walkley Seeking Offensive Encores in 2012
The Demon Deacons return both of their top scorers from the 2011 season in
Kari Walkley and preseason All-ACC pick
Lizzie Rae. In last year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Walkley found the back of the net against Iowa while Rae posted a shot on goal in each match.
Walkley and Rae each reached double-digits in goals last season. Rae tallied 13 goals, good for the team lead and eighth in the ACC, including a fantastic performance against Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament in which she recorded a hat trick. Walkley pitched in 11 scores of her own and had four two-goal games as the Deacs posted a 3-1 record in those matches.
All-American Canadian: Kozniuk's Defensive Spark
Sophomore Anna Kozniuk, a native of North Vancouver, Canada, will look to build on her fantastic freshman season as the Deacons return to the field. She earned third-team All-American honors as well as the prestigious ACC Freshman of the Year award for her standout efforts.
Kozniuk recorded four goals and a team-high seven assists in 2011, emerging as a significant threat along the back line in addition to her offensive prowess. She did not play against Iowa in last year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge due to mandatory freshman orientation, but had an immediate impact against Michigan, scoring Wake Forest's only goal.
Next Time Out...
Following the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Wake Forest will be off until Sunday, Sept. 2, when the team will take on No. 4 Princeton in a 1:00 p.m. showdown at Kentner Stadium. The Deacs downed the Tigers in New Jersey on Oct. 9, 2011, with a 3-2 victory in overtime courtesy of Anna Kozniuk's game-winning goal.
Full ACC/Big Ten Challenge Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 25 - North Carolina vs. Michigan (11:30 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 25 - Wake Forest vs. Iowa (2:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 26 - Wake Forest vs. Michigan (11:30 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 26 - Iowa vs. North Carolina (2:00 p.m.)
Live results for all matches can be found here. A full recap of each day's action will be posted at the conclusion of both matches.
