The #17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-2-3, 3-1-2 ACC) continue their push for an ACC Tournament berth this evening as they travel to Clemson, SC to take on the Clemson Tigers (5-4-5, 2-3-2 ACC). For the Deacs,
this game will be critical to their hopes of getting back into the ACC Tournament places, as, after this weekend’s slate of games, they have dropped out of the top 6, although they have a game in hand on Cal and Louisville in 6th and 5th respectively, both of whom they can pass in the standings with a victory today. The Tigers on the other hand are looking to add a signature win to their résumé as they try to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The Tigers are in a rich vein of form, as, after an 0-3-2 start to conference play that included 3 straight losses to close out September, Clemson has now won two straight conference games, defeating both Syracuse and SMU on the road. The Deacs meanwhile are looking to bounce back, as they have only 1 win in their last 4 games, having drawn their most recent game to Louisville 1-1 after a late goal from the Cardinals. Historically, this series has been extremely competitive and the games hotly contested, and, as the season draws closer and closer to its finale, this is a win that both teams need badly to achieve their goals for year.
Opponent History
Clemson’s program is a young one, but they have been very competitive from the moment they were established in 1994. The Tigers have made the NCAA tournament 24 times in their previous 31 seasons, making the national tournament in each of the first 14 seasons of their existence, earning 5 bids under Tracey Leone, 2 tournament bids and the 2000 ACC regular season title under her husband Ray Leone, and then making 7 further tournament appearances under Todd Bramble. In that span, they finished top 6 in the ACC 13 times and made the final 8 of the NCAA tournament 4 times, accumulating a 188-93-22 record. In 2008, though, the program’s fortunes took a dramatic turn with the hire of Hershey Strosberg. In Strosberg’s 3 seasons in charge, the Tigers went from a consistent tournament team to the basement of the ACC, going 14-39-1 and posting an eye watering 1-28-1 record in conference. After Strosberg’s dismissal in 2010, Clemson hired then UNC Greensboro head coach Eddie Radwanski, and they have not looked back.
Radwanski had a difficult start to life in Clemson, posting a 5-25-2 ACC record in his first three seasons, but he was able to get the Tigers back in gear. Clemson made 10 straight NCAA tournament appearances from 2014 to 2023, posting double-digit wins in 9 of those seasons and finishing the year ranked in 7. They won the ACC regular season title for the second time in 2016 under Radwanski’s leadership, splitting that title with Notre Dame. In 2023, Radwanski led maybe his most notable season as Clemson head coach, taking the Tigers to their first ever College Cup appearance and their first ACC title game appearance since 2002. Last year, though, was a difficult one Radwanski and his team, as their 6-8-3 record and 2-7-1 conference mark were the worst for the program since the 2012 season, causing them to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their 2013 campaign. It’s been tough sledding again for the Tigers this year, but this series is one they have had the better of, holding a 17-11-4 mark against the Deacs, and the home side has won each of the last 5 meetings between these teams. That said, it has been dead even between the two sides since Radwanski’s arrival, as the series stands at 5-5-1 since 2011.
Tactics and Breakdown
In many ways, Radwanski’s Clemson very much mirrors Tony da Luz’s Wake side. They are very tactically diverse, having played a 4-3-3, 4-4-2, and a 3-4-3 in their past three games. They will also adjust their defensive intensity depending on the opponent, as they came out and pressed SMU very high in their most recent game, which is something the Deacs have had trouble with this season, but dropped into more of a mid block when they faced #1 Notre Dame. They are also a more possession-focused side when they have the ball, looking to build out of the back and keep the ball up the field rather than hitting it long. They also have the capability to be dangerous in transition, though, as they have some very talented outside players and midfielders as well as some big, physical forwards that can hold the ball up well. They are a physical side in general, sitting 31st in the nation and 3rd in the conference in fouls, and they also use that physicality up the other end of the field, proving to be dangerous on set pieces and crosses.
Overall, though, this Clemson team has struggled. They are an inexperienced defensive unit, with 4 freshmen starting along their back line in their most recent game. Turnovers when playing out of the defense have been an issue for them as well, and they have had their struggles in transition on that end of the field. As a team, they have also been prone to slow starts, giving up 7 goals in first 10 minutes of halves so far this season. And, most critically, they sit 323rd in the nation in save percentage, with keeper Addy Holgorsen having had her struggles since the start of conference play. All this has added up to 16 goals allowed through 7 games in ACC play, a defense that hasn’t kept a clean sheet since 9/4, and a team that sits 14th in the ACC on goals against average. Their attacking unit also sits 14th in the conference with 18 goals, and they have been up and down, scoring 2+ goals in a game on 6 separate occasions and having been shut out 4 times. With all of this being said, they have been a tough match for many of the conference’s top teams, having earned 2-2 draws with both #2 Stanford and current ACC top 6 Cal, and having come up just short to a 1-0 loss against Louisville against whom the Deacs drew last week. While the Tigers have had their struggles, this game will be no walkover.
Players to Watch
For Clemson, forward Juju Harris is clearly the biggest threat to Wake’s goal. Harris is a powerful and athletic forward with a great work rate that is both central to Clemson’s press and their ability to get forward. She leads the team in goals and points, having registered 5 goals and 6 assists for 16 total points. For a Wake team that has had its issues trying to build out of the back, Harris could be exceedingly dangerous, and she is in fine form, having assisted all 3 goals the Tigers scored vs SMU. Also critical to the Tigers’ success will be winger Tatum Short. Short is coming off of a 2 goal performance against SMU, and those two goals were her first and second of the season. Against a Wake team that often leaves their fullbacks isolated to defend the flanks, Short is likely going to have a lot of space and time to create dangerous opportunities. She is quick and really excels in quick passing plays, but the question is whether she can create for herself and her teammates this evening when she is one on one.
For the Deacs, I would look out for center back Laine DeNatale. Despite some center back rotation this season, DeNatale has been a lock starter at that spot, and she is also the Deacs’ tallest and most physical defender. She will have to match up with Juju Harris, and her ability both to keep the ball in possession and match up with Harris physically while against the ball will be critical to Wake’s chances of winning this game. Winger Taryn Chance is another player to look out for this evening for the Deacs. While Chance has of yet to register a point this season and is likely to come off of the bench this game, she really excels at taking on defenders one on one and putting good service into the area. Against an inexperienced Clemson back line that has struggled to keep the ball out of the net, this game could be an opportunity for Chance to break out and have a huge performance.
Where to Watch
Kickoff for this game is set for 7:00 EDT at Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, SC, and it will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
