WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Playing in its first road contest of the season, Villanova fell to No. 10 Wake Forest on Thursday afternoon, 2-0, at Spry Stadium.

Villanova (0-2) was outshot 14-8 by Wake Forest (3-0) in the loss but held the Demon Deacons to just three on frame. Avrie Nelsen accounted for both shots that landed on goal for the Blue and White.

Nelsen had Villanova's first chance of the afternoon, evading a defender and sending a blast from nearly 12 yard out that was batted down by Wake Forest's Valentina Amaral.

The Deacs struck first with a goal in the eighth minute from Sierra Sythe. Brooke Miller sent a long pass right outside the 18-yard box to Kylie Maxwell was able to get past two Wildcat defenders. She made a diagonal pass back toward the top of the box to fine Sythe, sending a top-drawer shot over a diving Dickinson for a 1-0 lead.

Nelsen had another chance in the 29^th minute that was also grabbed by Amaral. By the break, Villanova trailed in shots, 7-4 with Wake Forest placing two on frame. On the defensive end for the 'Cats, Hannah Dickinson accounted for one save in the opening 45, picking up a dribbler from the foot of Alejandra Gomez.

Maxwell made it a two-goal lead for the Demon Deacons early in the second half. She picked up a pass near the top right corner of the box before moving in to send a look into the back left side of the net for a 2-0 advantage in the 47^th minute. Maxwell ended up leading all players with four shots.

Villanova is back at home on Sunday to host Columbia at 2 p.m. inside the Higgins Soccer Complex.