Soccer is often a game of inches, and that proved true in the College Cup semi-final as six inches of white paint and two goal-line clearances made the difference as Wake Forest defeated Stanford 1-0 to reach the national championship match.

The best moment of a tense and cagey first half came when Wake Forest goalkeeper Valentina Amaral and defender Kristin Johnson combined for one of the plays of the season. Andrea Kitahata unleashed a shot that looked destined for the corner, only for Amaral to get mere fingertips on the attempt, pushing it off the goal post for Johnson to make a dramatic goal-line clearance.

WHAT AN INSANE SAVE 🤯#WCollegeCup x 🎥 ESPNU / @WakeWSoccer pic.twitter.com/q5ETFkob1z

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2024

That was the closest either team came to scoring in a remarkably evenly matched opening period that saw possession split 50/50 and Wake Forest holding a slight edge with four shots to three.

The Deacs began the second half a team on fire, carving the Cardinal defense apart for several quality chances, matching their first-half total of four shots in just the first six minutes. And just when it looked like Stanford recovered from the early onslaught, Wake Forest got a golden chance at a breakthrough.

A Laurel Ansbrow interception followed by excellent team play from one side of the pitch to the other resulted in Sierra Sythe playing a cross to Emily Morris, who then executed a first-time shot that goalkeeper Haley Craig tipped just enough for Elise Evans to attempt a goal-line clearance. On the same goal where Johnson and Amaral made their miraculous recovery in the first half, Stanford fell just short, with a video review confirming that the ball did cross the line, giving Wake Forest a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes to play.

THE ONE THAT DID IT ‼️

📺 @WakeWSoccer | ESPN+

pic.twitter.com/uX2BgQHc2N

— The ACC (@theACC) December 7, 2024

The remainder of the match would see Zara Chavoshi shine at center back as she has all season with one well-timed intervention after another. Amaral showcased her elite composure, continually finding passing angles that beat the frustrated Cardinal press. 

The victory marks the first College Cup final for Wake Forest in its 30th season. Head Coach Tony da Luz, who has been in charge for 28 of those seasons, was emotional upon recollecting what it meant to finally reach a national final.

“You saw all of our alums in the stands, and that is the most gratifying thing for me. Our alums and our fans are so invested in our program and so faithful to our programs in all ways.”

Stanford sees it season end a game shy of where it ended last season. The Deacs will play North Carolina for the national final on Monday.

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