Wake Forest University
Duke
No. 1 Wake Forest Loses to Duke, 1-0, in ACC Championship Game
11/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 5, 2006
GERMANTOWN, Md. -
Playing in its third straight overtime game, the No. 1 Wake Forest men's soccer team (15-3-3) saw its 11 game unbeaten streak snapped by No. 4 Duke (16-3-1) in the championship game of the 2006 ACC Tournament. Mike Grella scored the game winner six minutes into the first overtime session to give the Blue Devils their second championship in as many years.
Much of the first half was spent in the middle third of the field as the teams struggled to create quality scoring chances. The complexion of the game changed in the second half as play opened up and each team was able to produce more threatening opportunites on goal.
With just under eight minutes to play, Wake was given a golden opportunity to win the game in regulation. Duke defender Tim Jepson took down Wake's Wells Thompson on the edge of the penalty box and junior Pat Phelan lined up to take the free kick. The Enfield, Conn., native fired his shot directly into the wall of Duke defenders and his rebound shot was blocked as well.
The Deacons also had the first good chance in overtime. The ball crossed the endline to go out of bounds for a Wake corner kick. Senior Ryan Solle served the ball into the box and sophomore Lyle Adams jumped to get a head on the ball, but his shot landed on the top of the net.
With three minutes left in the first overtime, Grella made a run down the middle of the field, cut back inside to give himself space, and hit a 35 yard shot that made its way past Wake goalie Brian Edwards. For the game, Wake outshot Duke by a 12-11 margin.
Wake was playing in its first ACC championship game since 1991. The defeat was Wake's first overtime loss of the year.
Edwards, Thompson and sophomore Sam Cronin were voted to the all-tournament team.
The Deacs will now await the release of the NCAA Tournament brackets. The bids for the 48-team field of the 2006 NCAA Tournament will be announced Monday, Nov. 6, between 4-5 p.m. on ESPNews.
