Wake Forest Athletics
Men's Soccer Hosts Dartmouth In Home Opener
9/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 6, 2001
Winston-Salem, NC -
Release #2 - September 7
This Week:
September 8 vs. Dartmouth 1:00 pm - Spry Stadium
September 11 vs. Charleston Southern 7:00 pm - Spry Stadium
The undefeated Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0) return to Spry Stadium for their 2001 home opener against Dartmouth on Saturday September 8. The Demon Deacons are fresh off a tournament title, capturing the GMU/Kappa Soccer Classic with a 2-0 win over 16th-ranked James Madison and 3-1 against George Mason.
The two wins at George Mason did not go without notice to college soccer observers nationwide. The Demon Deacons made the largest jump of any team in the country in the NSCAA poll released on Monday Sept. 3. Wake Forest catapulted to #9 after being omitted from the top 25 in the preseason polls. The ranking is the team's highest since Sept. 11, 2000 when the Decas were #5.
Sophomore goalkeeper William Hesmer and Maryland defender Philip Salyer share this week's ACC Men's Soccer Player of the Week honor. Hesmer allowed one goal in 180 minutes of play to lead Wake Forest to wins over No. 16 James Madison and George Mason. The Wilson, N.C., native recorded his first career shutout against No. 16 JMU tallying six saves. The only goal allowed by Hesmer over the weekend came on a second half GMU penalty kick. Hesmer was also named to the GMU Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team.
Head coach Jay Vidovich became Wake Forest's winningest coach in school history with the season-opening 2-0 victory over James Madison. Vidovich passed his friend and mentor Walt Chyzowych, who is widely considered to be the father of American soccer. Vidovich is 79-49-10 in his eighth season as the head coach of the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest was well-represented on the George Mason Soccer Classic All-Tournament team. Four Deacons made the list including senior Jamal Seale and a trio of sophomores, Brian Carroll, William Hesmer and Kevin Wickart.
In the early going, Wake Forest has already shown the ability to make some noise on corner kicks, scoring on two of nine corner kick opportunities through two games, a 22.2% clip. Last season, on 122 corner kick opportunities, the Deacons scored just five goals (4%).
Already through two games, the Deacons have had some pleasant suprises in the points column. Less than 90 seconds into the JMU game, junior Bobby Gehring got on the board, his first goal since his freshman season when he tallied six. Christian Lonteen already has two assists. After being the team's leading scorer in 1999 with 20 points, Lonteen had less of an impact statistically in 2000 with just eight points. If both players can continue their early successes, it will go a long way to replacing Ben Stafford, last year's leading scorer.
dartmouth big green
Overall: 0-0-0
At Spry Stadium: 0-0-0
No Previous Meetings
charleston southern buccaneers
Overall: 2-0-0
At Spry Stadium: 2-0-0
10/20/98 H 6-2 W
10/26/99 H 5-1 W
The Boys Are Back In Town
Pollsters Show The Deacons A Little Love
Hesmer Named Co-ACC Player of the Week
Being Jay Vidovich
Four Deacons Make GMU All-Tournament Team
Deacons Dangerous On Corner Kicks
Familiar Faces Get On The Scoresheet
