Wake Forest University
North Carolina
#9 Men's Soccer Cruises Past Carolina, 2-0
10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Wake Forest used a pair of second half goals and recorded their fourth consecutive shutout as the ninth-ranked Demon Deacons got past North Carolina, 2-0, to secure at least a share of the 2004 ACC Regular Season Championship Sunday afternoon. The victory was the Demon Deacons' eighth consecutive win and the first over the Tar Heels at Fetzer Field since the 1982 season -- snapping a streak of nine matches without a victory.
The Wake Forest defense limited North Carolina to only five shots on the afternoon. In fact, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brian Edwards was not even creditied with a save. Edwards did record his fourth straight shutout and seventh this season. The netminder has not allowed a goal in 424:11 and has surrendered just two goals in the past 693:02. Edwards lowered his goals against average to 0.85.
The victory not only gave the Demon Deacons five ACC victories for the first time in school history, but also improved Wake Forest to 5-0 on the road this season and 6-0-1 away from Spry Stadium. With Virginia's loss to Virginia Tech last evening, the Demon Deacons now can capture the ACC Regular Season Championship outright and secure the upcoming tournament's top-seed with a victory at Duke this Friday, Nov. 6.
Wake Forest grabbed the lead just moments into the second half. Senior Amir Lowery gained controlled of the ball in the Tar Heel midfield. Lowery spotted senior forward Scott Sealy just inside the 18-yard box. Sealy received the pass with his back to the goal. The All-American candidate spun, beat a pair of Carolina defenders and slotted the ball past Carolina netminder Ford Williams at 46:04.
The goal for Sealy was his 13th of the season and 39th of his career. Already second on the career goals and points list, Sealy moved into sole possession of fifth place on the single-season scoring list. The forward has now scored a goal in five consecutive matches.
Senior Stephen Keel provided a huge insurance goal at 61:13. Sophomore Ryan Solle played an attacking ball to senior Tomy Szczypiorski, who allowed the ball to pass through his legs to Keel. The forward then hammered a shot from the right side of the penalty area into the far lower corner of the net. The goal was Keel's second of the season and 11th of his career. Solle picked up his team-leading eighth assist.
In a pretty entertaining first half, the Demon Deacons had a pair of near scoring chances. Senior Ryan Caugherty whipped in a corner kick and senior defender James Riley headed the ball back toward the far corner, but the ball sailed just high. With just under 20 minutes remaining in the opening 45 minutes, Lowery had a brilliant scoring opportunity. After Wake Forest put together a combination of brilliant passes through the Tar Heel defensive third, sophomore Wells Thompson broke free down the right wing. Thompson beat one defender and slotted a pass to Lowey, who was unmarked just outside the penalty area. Lowery then rifled a one-timer on goal, but Williams made a sprawling save to get the match scoreless.
The Demon Deacons get away from ACC action on Tuesday evening when they travel to face Southern Conference foe Davidson. Kickoff is scheduled 7 pm. The Wildcats will officially open their brand new soccer facility, Alumni Stadium. The Demon Deacons lead the all-time series with Davidson, 17-4-1. Wake Forest has captured the previous six meetings with the Wildcats.
-- WakeForestSports.com --
