WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- No. 13 Northwestern dominated the action throughout the majority of the second half but a late goal by host and 10th-ranked Wake Forest was the only tally of the match as the Demon Deacons posted a 1-0 victory Thursday evening at Kentner Stadium.
The Wildcats' defense was outstanding once again, but the loss was the second consecutive by a 1-0 margin for NU after falling by the same score to No. 15 Louisville on Sunday.
The first half was quiet offensively for both sides as Wake Forest managed four shots while Northwestern had three. Two of the Wildcats' shots were on goal while the Demon Deacons put one of their shots on target.
Following the intermission, the 'Cats thoroughly dominated the action as most of the opening 28 minutes of the period were spent in the hosts' defensive end. Northwestern's offensive pressure resulted in four penalty corners, but the guests were unable to capitalize on any of the opportunities.
Wake Forest junior goalkeeper Valerie Dahmen proved to be impenetrable as she made four saves in the second half and six for the match.
The only goal of the contest was set up by a miscue in the Northwestern defensive end. A turnover resulted in a takeaway by Jess Newark who found herself alone with NU keeper Maddy Carpenter and fired a reverse-stick shot in for the score with 7:17 remaining in regulation.
Needing a goal to tie, the Wildcats pulled Carpenter for an extra field player for the final 4:24 of regulation but NU was unable to find the tally it needed to extend the match.
The 'Cats finished the match with a 9-6 edge in shots and a 4-1 advantage in penalty corners, but Wake Forest got the edge where it matters the most.
Northwestern is back in action at 9:30 a.m. Central time Sunday as it takes on 20th-ranked James Madison in Winston-Salem.