Field hockey falls to No. 26 Wake Forest despite career performance from Clements

Hayden Braun, Contributing Writer

VCU field hockey took on Wake Forest University at Cary Street Field on Sept. 12. The Rams fell 2-0, despite another career-high performance of 14 saves from redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Emma Clements.

The Demon Deacons opened the game with heavy pressure, outshooting VCU 8-1 in the first quarter. Clements made five saves in the opening 15 minutes, including three in a row on one possession to keep the game scoreless.

“This is my house,” Clements said in an interview after the game. “The cage is mine and that ball is not going in it, even if it hits me in the face, it hits me in the face, I’m doing everything I can to not let that ball in.”

Wake Forest earned three penalty corners in the first period but was unable to convert. The Rams’ defense continued to hold in the second period, with Clements stopping four more shots. 

The game remained tied 0-0, even though VCU was outshot 12-1 at halftime.

“I thought our unit was outstanding,” head coach Stacey Bean said. “Emma made some great saves, but the group in front of her focused on doing their job. Corners are supposed to be an advantage, but we limited them to some lower-quality shots.”

The Demon Deacons broke through in the third period when first-year Logan Marthinus scored the opening goal. Just seconds later, first-year Lauren Storey doubled Wake Forest’s lead, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.

“We’re still young back there,” Bean said. “We lost focus for a couple of minutes, and it cost us two goals. That’s not just on the backs — when I say defense, I mean the whole team.”

VCU pushed forward in the fourth quarter, earning three penalty corners. Third-year Morena Macera and third-year midfielder Manuela Secondo each had shots, but Wake Forest’s defense held firm. 

Secondo scored VCU’s only first half shot and said the Rams need to build more support on offense.

“Sometimes it was one versus five,” Secondo said. “If we keep working those post-ups and giving support to our teammates, we can definitely be up there against good teams.”

Clements was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week after shutting out William & Mary with 14 saves, surpassing her previous career high of 12 saves.

“She’s been lights out all season,” Bean said. “She’s really becoming a leader for us back there. She’s communicating at a high level, and because she’s doing that, it gives her confidence to read the plays.”

Wake Forest outshot VCU 26-5 overall, including 16-4 on goal, and earned eight penalty corners to the Rams’ three.