Deacs Fall to MLS' Columbus Crew, 1-0
3/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 28, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
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Though they were able to hold their own against the professionals, the Wake Forest men's soccer team fell to the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, 1-0, in an exhibition match between the two teams on Wednesday evening. Ominous storm clouds close to kickoff proved to be harmless, and a spirited crowd of soccer fans who made it to Spry Stadium were treated to an entertaining match.
Despite the loss, the Deacs were able to take a few positives away from the game. The majority of the uninjured players saw game action, highlighted by a magnificent shot-stopping performance from freshman Akira Fitzgerald. Playing the entire first half, the Baltimore native made seven outstanding saves against the MLS side to keep the visitors scoreless going into halftime.
The Crew got on the board early in the second half off an extremely well-taken goal by Jacob Thomas in the 51st minute. Ned Grabavoy touched the ball to Thomas off of a restart, and Thomas ripped a low, swerving ball around Wake's wall and past the outstretched arm of Deacon goalie Brian Edwards in the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Wake had several solid chances of its own in the second half. Minutes after the Crew's goal, Zack Schilawksi played a beautiful through ball onto the foot of Cody Arnoux. Arnoux was in alone with Columbus keeper Andy Gruenebaum on the right side of goal, but the freshman's hard shot was saved out of bounds.
Sophomore Michael Lahoud had several strong strikes of his own in the half but was unable to get any on net.
Wake was coming off a 3-1 victory over the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division in their first match of the spring season. The Deacons' spring will continue on Friday when they take on ACC-rival Duke at 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium. The Deacs will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss from the 2006 ACC Tournament championship game.
Wednesday kicked off a busy week for the Crew as well. Columbus will host a youth clinic on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Spry Stadium soccer complex. The camp will cost $15.
The week will be capped off by an exhibition match between the Crew and the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, March 31, at 7 p.m. The game, which will also be played at Spry, will be a homecoming for former Deacon All-American Scott Sealy who plays forward for the Wizards.
Tickets for the match are $10 and are available by visiting the Wake Forest ticket website or by calling 336-758-DEAC.
- WakeForestSports.com -
