Wake Forest University
North Carolina State
Deacons Beat NC State, 1-0, on Senior Night
10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 21, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
The third-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team improved its ACC record to 4-2-1 on Saturday night by defeating conference rival NC State by a 1-0 margin. It was a storybook ending to local product Wells Thompson's regular season career at Spry Stadium. The senior scored a 51st minute goal that proved to be the difference as the Deacons conducted senior night ceremonies for their five departing members.
The first half of play was wide open with neither team able to take a decisive edge. Perhaps the best scoring chance came from the Wolfpack's Jorge Mora who forced Wake's goalkeeper Brian Edwards to make a big diving save in the 26th minute. Shots were tied at seven apiece at halftime.
The pace of the game changed dramatically just minutes into the second half. Sophomore Sam Cronin found Thompson on the edge of the box and slotted him a crisp pass that allowed him to turn to goal unimpeded. The Winston-Salem native took on a Wolfpack defender and cut the ball back to give himself an open shot at NC State goalie Tom DeStefano. Thompson picked the lower-right hand corner of the goal and fired his shot past the diving keeper for what proved to be the game-winner. The goal was Thompson's sixth of the season and put him in sole possession of first place on the team's point list with 14 for the year.
The majority of the remaining action stayed in the Wolfpack defensive third of the field, as the Deacs put down a barrage of shots to keep NC State on its heels. The Deacons (14-2-1) had three golden opportunities in the 68th minute of play after sophomore Marcus Tracy fired one on frame. The pace of the shot forced DeStefano to deflect it wide where Austin da Luz was waiting. The freshman's ensuing shot went high. Seconds later, senior Steven Curfman rang one off the crossbar from 20 yards out.
The shutout was the 11th of the year and fourth in a row for Edwards, improving his own single-season record and dropping his goals against average to 0.74. The Charlotte, N.C., native made three saves on the night, all in the first half.
The win gave the Deacs their 13th victory over the Wolfpack (4-9-1) in their last 14 tries. It was also the last regular season game for seniors Curfman, Bobby Davis, Mark Ellington, Ryan Solle, and Thompson.
The Deacons will now travel to Charlottesville, Va., for their regular season finale against the second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. Fans will be able to view the game on Fox Soccer Channel with kickoff set for 8 p.m.
-- WakeForestSports.com --
