#3 Men's Soccer Hosts UNC Greensboro

Sept. 24, 2002

Game #7

Deacons Return Home to Face UNC Greensboro

After playing five of its first six games on the road, Wake Forest returns home and can settle in for a while as Deacons open up a three-game homestand beginning Wednesday against UNC Greensboro.
Wake Forest is flying high with a six-game undefeated streak to open the season. The Deacons bring a number three national ranking into this week's contests.
UNC Greensboro comes into Wednesday's game with a 4-2 record with both losses coming to top 25 teams, Clemson and Furman.
Wake Forest has won the meetings in each of the last three seasons by a combined score of 5-1 but the Spartans still lead the all-time series 6-4-2.

Wake Forest Climbs to #3 in Soccer America Poll

For just the second time in school history, Wake Forest is ranked in top three. The Deacons check in at number three, behind Stanford and St. John's, respectively. Wake Forest, ranked fifth last week by the publication, defeated Richmond 2-0 and tied second-ranked St. John's on the road on Saturday night, 1-1, to stay undefeated.
At number three, the Demon Deacons equal their best ever ranking. In November of 1999, Wake Forest spent one week at number three in the NSCAA and Soccer Times polls. That Deacon squad started its year on a 16-game unbeaten streak with a 11-0-5 record.
Six of the ACC's seven schools that sponsor men's soccer are ranked in the top 25. Wake Forest is the highest of three in the top ten and the only still undefeated squad in the ACC.

Best Starts in School History

Through six games, the 2002 Deacons are off to one of their best starts in school history. It is just the fifth time in school history Wake Forest has stayed unbeaten to this point. Last time it happened was 1999 when the Deacons opened with an identical 4-0-2 record. That group keep its unbeaten streak intact for 16 games.
The last time Wake Forest started with a better record was 1991, a 5-0-1 start. However, an argument could be made that the 2002 Deacons have played a tougher schedule as three of its first six opponents have been ranked 11th or better.

Deacons Doing it With Defense

The secret to Wake's early success has been its ability to defend. In 600 minutes of play, the Deacons have allowed just five goals. That's one goal every two hours.
That mark is even more impressive when you consider the team's most experience defender, junior Kelvin Jones, has logged only 78 minutes out of a possible 420. The group of Bobby Gehring, Wiggy Saunders and James Riley have pulled together in front of goalkeeper William Hesmer. At this point, Wake Forest can claim the ACC's best defense as the five goals are the least allowed in the conference. That claim will be put to the test this week against a UNCG team that averages 3.87 goal per game and fourth-ranked Maryland, the ACC's top scoring team (3.5 per gm).

Freshman Class Showing Early Returns

Without a doubt, the freshman class has played a major part in Wake Forest's 4-0-2 record. Both Justin Moose (Statesville, N.C.) and Ryan Alexander (Southfield, Mich.) are on the scoresheet -- Moose with two goals and Alexander with a goal and two assists. But perhaps the valuable contributor has been central defender Michael Parkhurst. The native of Cranston, R.I., has been instrumental in the team's defense which has allowed an ACC-low five goals. Initially, Parkhurst filled in at the central defender spot for the injured Kelvin Jones. Now, it appears the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" theory is in full effect as Jones is getting back to full health and Parkhurst has established himself as a formidable defender.

Hesmer Cracks Wake Forest Goalkeeping Record Book

To become eligible for the Wake Forest record book, goalkeepers must have played 2500 career minutes in goal. Last week, William Hesmer reached that figure and immediately finds himself among the best goalkeepers to ever play for Wake Forest.
His goals against average (0.93) ranks number one and his save percentage (81.0%) is third. Hesmer was a second-team All-ACC selection last year and figures to be a strong candidate for first team honors this season.

Wake Forest Athletics