Wake Forest Athletics
No. 1 Deacons Open Season at Nike Carolina Classic
8/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 28, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After posting two wins in the exhibition season, the top-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team opens the regular season this weekend in the Nike Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill. The Deacons face VCU on Friday at 5 p.m. (ET), before battling Florida International on Sunday at 2 p.m. (ET).
"We're excited to play a game for real right now," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "It's been a long time since we've played a game that counts. We're very excited about the opportunity to play VCU and Florida International."
The Deacs finished the exhibition schedule with a perfect 2-0 record, defeating Wofford 5-1 and shutting out No. 20 Furman 1-0. Hermann Trophy candidates and preseason All-Americans Cody Arnoux and Marcus Tracy led the Deacs in the preseason, with each player scoring three times. Arnoux scored the game winner in each contest.
"I know our team is ready to start the season," Vidovich said. "We improved between the Wofford and Furman games and after the Furman game we've improved. Our guys are playing well in practice and are very capable. We're growing as a team. Our young players are learning the game. Our older guys are playing with pace and intelligence. I'm excited to see how we play this weekend."
Wake Forest faces off with VCU in the season opener. The Rams return seven starters and 15 letter winners from last year's team that finished with a 12-6-2 record and a 7-4-1 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. VCU returns 2007 All-CAA First Team member Gerson Dos Santos, who scored seven goals and added two assists in 2007. The Rams played two ACC foes in the preseason, tying Maryland 0-0 and playing Virginia Tech to a 1-1 draw.
"We've played VCU a few times in the NCAA Tournament," Vidovich added. "We have tremendous respect for their coach and players. They're an experienced team. I respect their program and I know we're going to have a very difficult match."
The Deacons and Rams have met five times previously, with Wake Forest owning a 3-0-2 series edge. The two teams last met in the third round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament. The teams played to a 2-2 tie in regulation and overtime, forcing the game into a penalty kick shootout. VCU eventually won in the shootout to advance to the next round.
A member of Conference USA, Florida International brings back six starters and 11 letter winners from a team that finished 5-14-2 in 2007. FIU junior forward Juan Guerra was recently tabbed the C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Sunday's matchup will mark the third all-time meeting between Wake Forest and FIU. The teams have split the previous two meetings, with the Deacons capturing the most recent match-up, a 3-2 overtime victory on September 12, 2004.
The Deacons have been extremely successful in season openers, posting a 25-2-1 record since the soccer program began in 1980. Wake Forest has won eight of its last 10 season lid-lifters, with one tie. The Deacs are 2-0-1 when opening the season on a neutral pitch, including last year's 2-1 season-opening win over Old Dominion in Chapel Hill.
Live stats for both weekend matches will be available at wakeforestsports.com. Also, a recap and stats from both contests will be available immediately following each game.
-WakeForestSports.com-
