Wake Forest University
Towson
Men's Soccer Advances to First-Ever NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal
11/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 19, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Behind second-half goals from senior Steven Curfman and freshman Zack Schilawski, the Wake Forest men's soccer team (17-3-3) advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program's history by defeating the Towson Tigers, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Spry Stadium. The Deacons advance to play Santa Clara at Spry on Friday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m.
The Deacons dominated possession from the beginning and were able to keep the Tigers (15-2-3) on their heels for the majority of the game. Towson did not register a shot until 20 seconds into the second stanza.
Sophomore Marcus Tracy, who had two goals and two assists in the Deacs' game on Wednesday against Hofstra, had a game-high 5 shots. He took his opportunities well, but was unable to find the back of the net.
The makeup of the game changed after Curfman was able put in his fifth goal of the season. Schilawski made a run with the ball but was taken down by Towson defender Maxx Hurkamp just outside the edge of the penalty box. Curfman lined up the ensuing free kick and put a right-footed, swerving shot around the Tigers' wall and past the goalie to give the Deacs a 1-0 lead.
Wake struck again 12 minutes later as a result of some sublime passing from sophomore Sam Cronin and senior Wells Thompson. From midfield, Cronin found Thompson who put a one timer through the Tigers' backline and right on the foot of a streaking Schilawski. Towson goalie Greg Flaherty did well to cut down the angle, but Schilawski found room underneath the keeper's left arm and slotted the ball through for his sixth goal on the season.
The Wake backline of Evan Brown, Pat Phelan, Julian Valentin and Lyle Adams and goalie Brian Edwards kept the shutout intact until 22 seconds remaining in the game, when a Towson player was fouled in the box off of a corner kick. The referee pointed to the spot and midfielder Pat Healey put the penalty kick past Edwards to his left to make the game 2-1. The Deacs were able to run out the rest of clock to seal the victory.
After going shotless in the first half, Towson was able to get off six in the second, but Wake enjoyed a 14-6 overall shot advantage. The win improved the Deacs' overall NCAA Tournament record to 8-9-1 and increased Wake's school record for victories in a season to 17.
- WakeForestSports.com -
