Wake Forest University
Davidson
#5 Demon Deacons Down Davidson, 2-1
11/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2004
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Wake Forest senior tandem Stephen Keel and Tomy Szczypiorski each scored second half goals to lead the fifth-ranked Demon Deacons past Davidson, 2-1, in the first ever match played at the Wildcats' new Alumni Stadium Tuesday night. The victory is the ninth consecutive for Wake Forest.
Szczypiorski put the Demon Deacons ahead early in the second half. Sophomore Ryan Solle gained possession after a Davidson give-away in their own midfield. Solle beat one Wildcat defender and went one-on-one with the Wildcat goalkeeper Bart Creasman. The netminder charged Solle, but the midfielder laid off a perfect ball to a charging Szczypiorski, who slotted the ball into the open net. The goal was Szczypiorski's first of the season, while the assist was Solle's team-leading nine of the season.
Wake Forest could have grabbed a two-goal lead in the 64th. Senior Scott Sealy was brought down in the penalty box and awarded with a penalty kick. The senior's attempt for his 14th goal of the season and 40th of his career was stopped by Creasman.
Sealy definitely made up for his missed penalty kick just minutes later. The senior gained possession of a Edwards punt, turned and took on a pair of Davidson defenders. The All-American candidate split the two defenders and spotted Keel all alone on the right wing. In one touch, Keel buried his third goal of the season into the near corner. The assists was Sealy's seventh on the campaign.
With a two-goal lead, the match looked under control, but the Wildcats got right back in the match with a penalty kick of their own. Robbie Reynolds was fouled just inside the box. Reynolds then blasted in the penalty kick at the 75:23 mark.
The goal for Davidson was the first allowed by the Demon Deacons in 499:34 -- a span going back to the second half of the 3-1 victory over Loyola Marymount on Oct. 15.
Davidson stole the momentum following the penalty kick goal, creating a couple of solid scoring chances, but Edwards was huge down the stretch. The goalkeeper made one tremendous save and denied service after service into the penalty area as the Deacs held on for their seventh consecutive victory over the Wildcats. The victory also improved Wake Forest to 6-0 this season on the road and 8-0-1 overall away from Spry Stadium.
Wake Forest had its fair share of scoring chances in the first half. The Demon Deacons first opportunity came just over 29 minutes into play. After Sealy was fouled just outside the penalty area, senior James Riley curled the ensuing free kick around the wall, but the scoring chance glanced off the post. The Deacs missed out on another golden scoring opportunity just five minutes later. Junior Grey Ballard and Szczypiorski worked a gorgeous give-and-go inside the Davidson box that allowed Szczypiorski to break free behind the Wildcat defense. Szczypiorski's shot was on target, but Creasman came out, cut off the angle and made a spectacular save to keep the match scoreless.
The Demon Deacons close the regular season Friday evening at Duke. Kickoff at Koskinen Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. A victory or tie in the match with the Blue Devils would secure Wake Forest's second ACC Regular Season Championship in the past three years and the top seed in next week's ACC Tournament. Duke leads the all-time series with the Demon Deacons, 17-10-5, but Wake Forest has captured the last six meetings.
