CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston women's soccer team battled back from a two-goal deficit in the dying minutes of the game but eventually fell to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 3-2 in double overtime.

Despite an even first half, the Cougars would concede first with Giovanna DeMarco finding a way past Genevieve Henderson in the Charleston goal via a header.

Wake Forest doubled their lead in the 63^rd minute to give head coach Christian Michner's squad an uphill task heading into the final 25 minutes.

But in the 68^th minute freshman Kacey Smekrud threw The College a lifeline with her first collegiate goal. Five Cougars combined with Smekrud shifting the ball onto her right foot and crushing a 25-yard effort into the top corner to cut the scoreline to 2-1.

Charleston continued to press forward and just minutes from the final whistle their efforts were rewarded. Laura Ortega found Alyssa Beck at the edge of the box with two minutes left. Beck volleyed from 25 yards out with the ball hitting both posts before crossing the line to level the game at 2-2.

Overtime followed with both teams continuing to press forward but neither could make a breakthrough in the first ten minutes. Just 42 seconds into the second overtime period the Demon Deacons broke Charleston hearts with a header to give them the 3-2 victory.

Postgame Quotes - Head Coach Christian Michner
On the game…
"I am so proud of this team and how we fought for 90 minutes and then into double overtime. It's a heartbreaking way to lose a game, but we have to hold our heads high after this performance. We continued to fight for every ball, even at 2-0 down in the second half, and this team was able to do some incredible things in a tough environment. We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country for 100 plus minutes and I couldn't ask any more from my team."

On the goals…
"Kacey [Smekrud] scored a goal to remember off a wonderful attacking move that involved five different players. She shifted the ball to her right foot and hit a laser from 25-yards out into the top corner. Alyssa [Beck] scored with a volley into the corner of the goal to level it for us and we were on the verge of winning it in regulation. It was a fantastic total team effort and we're excited to be back at Patriots Point in front of our home crowd next weekend."

Notables
• Kacey Smekrud scored her first collegiate goal; a 25-yard top corner strike
• Alyssa Beck scored her team leading second goal of the season
• Laura Ortega got her first assist of the season and continues to edge closer to breaking the all-time points record for Charleston
• Meredith Tunney continues to be the sole Charleston student-athlete to play every minute this season (371 minutes)
• Charleston took 16 shots, five on target with Genevieve Henderson making four saves through the 101 minutes played.

Next Up
Charleston look to the Charleston Classic (Aug. 31 – Sept. 2) in which they host Ball State on Friday evening at 7 p.m. before finishing with Florida International on Sunday at 1 p.m.