Deacon Decade - Men's Soccer
12/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 23, 2009
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December 5, 2009 - Wake Forest Advances to Fourth Straight College Cup
Few people expected the Demon Deacons to return to the College Cup after losing eight starters from the 2008 team. However, the Deacs proved all the doubters wrong on December 5, defeating UCLA 2-0 to advance to the program's fourth consecutive College Cup. It marked just the ninth different time in NCAA history that a team advanced to four straight national semifinals. In the College Cup, the Demon Deacons dropped a 2-1 overtime heartbreaker to eventual national champion Virginia.
Wake Forest, which was picked fourth in the ACC preseason poll, claimed the fifth conference regular season title in program history, finishing the conference slate at 5-2-1. It marked the fifth league title in the last seven seasons. The Deacs claimed three of the four league individual honors as Corben Bone won ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Ike Opara won his second straight ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and head coach Jay Vidovich was named the league's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
2008 - Deacs Set New Standard for College Soccer
The 2008 Wake Forest men's soccer team set a new standard of excellence in men's college soccer. Even though Wake didn't bring home the national title, the team was clearly the class of college soccer during the '08 season. The Deacs finished the season with the country's best record at 21-2-1 and also led the country in scoring offense, averaging 3.38 goals a contest. Wake finished the regular season unbeaten at 17-0-1 and claimed the program's fourth conference championship, finishing the league schedule with a 7-0-1 mark.
Wake Forest players also brought home a bevy of national awards. Marcus Tracy won the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, which recognizes the top player in college soccer. Sam Cronin, who was also one of the three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes excellence in the community, the classroom and on the playing field. Six Wake Forest players were drafted in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, setting a record for most players selected from one college in an MLS SuperDraft. Head coach Jay Vidovich was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year for the second straight year, while assistant coach Carson Porter earned the Glenn "Mooch" Myernick College Assistant Coach of the Year award.
September 26, 2006-September 18, 2009 - Home Sweet Home
Wake Forest enjoys one of the best home field advantages in college soccer. The Deacs took full advantage of playing at home in the latter stages of the decade, posting a 35-game home unbeaten streak that lasted nearly four years. The streak ranks as the fourth longest in NCAA history. Wake started the streak on September 26, 2006, with a 2-1 win against Appalachian State. The next loss at Spry Stadium didn't occur until September 18, 2009, when Virginia claimed a 1-0 win.
The Demon Deacons also dominated non-conference foes, recording a 46-game unbeaten streak against non-conference foes. After losing to California on November 26, 2005, Wake Forest rolled off 46 straight wins against non-conference opponents before falling to Charlotte, 3-1, on September 29, 2009.
September 21-26, 2008 - Best Week Ever?
It's not often that a team can claim road wins over recent national champions in the same season, much less the same week. However, the Deacs accomplished the feat during September, 2008. Wake Forest opened the week on Sunday, September 21, by dismantling 2006 national champion, UC Santa Barbara, 6-2 in front of 7400 Gaucho fans. After allowing a goal in the opening minute of the game, the Deacs responded with five unanswered goals and cruised to a convincing win.
After returning home to defeat Appalachian State on Wednesday, Wake Forest traveled to College Park, Md., and defeated 2005 national champion and second-ranked Maryland, 4-2, in front of a then-record crowd of 6,500 fans at Ludwig Field on Friday, September 26. The Deacs fell behind twice in the first half, but answered each time to tie the game at two after the first half. Zack Schilawski and Austin da Luz scored second half goals to give Wake Forest the 4-2 win and complete one of the best weeks in program history.
Spring 2008 - Deacs Take Trip to Brazil
The Wake Forest men's soccer team had a once in a lifetime experience during the spring of 2008, making a 10-day trip to Brazil. The trip included matches with top club teams, training sessions and community service. Wake faced off against teams such as UniSanta, the top university team in the country, and club teams Santos, Sao Paolo and Flamengo. The Deacs also gave back to the community while in Brazil making a trip to the Brazilian Favelas in Sao Paolo to distribute gear they've collected through the year. The team also had a chance to sightsee some of the most scenic locations on Earth, including Corcovado Mountain (home of the Christ Redeemer statue), Sugar Loaf and Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
December 16, 2007 - Wake Forest Wins First National Championship
Wake Forest claimed the first national championship in program history by defeating Ohio State, 2-1, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The Deacs fell behind 1-0 but tied the game on a goal from College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player Marcus Tracy. Cary native Zack Schilawski gave Wake the lead with a goal in the 78th minute. Goalkeeper Brian Edwards was named the College Cup's Most Outstanding Defensive Player after allowing one goal in the two games. The Demon Deacons advanced to the title game with a 2-0 win against Virginia Tech on the strength of two goals from Tracy. The Demon Deacons advanced to the College Cup on Austin da Luz's golden goal against Notre Dame in front of the first sell out crowd at Spry Stadium in program history.
The Deacons posted a 22-2-2 record in 2007, the best mark in the country. Wake Forest also ranked second in scoring offense (2.58 goals per game), third in goals against average (0.52) and tied for sixth in shutout percentage (0.58).
November 24, 2006 - Wake Forest Advances to First College Cup
Wake Forest advanced to the first College Cup in program history on November 24, 2006, defeating Santa Clara 3-1 at Spry Stadium. The Deacs got goals in the game from Steven Curfman, Michael Lahoud and Wells Thompson. It was a gratifying tournament run for the Demon Deacons, who were able to advance past the third round after failing to do so in 10 previous NCAA Tournament appearances. In the national semifinals, the Deacs controlled the game against UC Santa Barbara, but neither team was able to score a goal. The Gauchos advanced to the championship game, beating Wake Forest 4-3 in the penalty kick shootout.
Much of the success of the Wake Forest program can be directed to the late Walt Chyzowych, who was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Chyzowych served as the Demon Deacon head coach from 1986-1994 and led Wake Forest its first and only ACC Tournament title in 1989 and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He passed away just one day before the start of the 1994 season.
October 27, 2006 - Deacs Down No. 2 Virginia in Charlottesville
No. 3 Wake Forest won for just the third time in Charlottesville, defeating second-ranked Virginia 2-1 in front of a national television audience on Fox Soccer Channel. After falling behind 1-0 early in the second half, the Demon Deacons rallied on goals from Julian Valentin and the first collegiate goal from Cody Arnoux. Wake defeated Virginia for the first time since 2002, a span of seven goals. Just a week later, the Demon Deacons would again meet Virginia in the ACC Tournament semifinals as the two teams played to a 1-1 tie through 110 minutes of play. Wake Forest would get the better of the Cavaliers in the penalty kick shootout, winning 4-3 and advancing to the ACC Tournament championship game.
November 9, 2004 - Parkhurst, Sealy Sweep ACC Awards
Scott Sealy was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, while Michael Parkhurst was tabbed as the league's Defensive Player of the Year, giving Wake Forest a clean sweep of the ACC awards in 2004. Sealy led Wake Forest with 17 goals, 10 assists and 44 points in 2007, earning All-American honors from the NSCAA and College Soccer News. Parkhurst started all 21 games for Wake Forest in 2004 and helped the team to nine shutouts, including four consecutive clean sheets during the season.
Both Sealy and Parkhurst have enjoyed successful professional careers. Sealy was taken with the 11th pick of the MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City, while Parkhurst was selected ninth overall by the New England Revolution. Parkhurst, who is now playing in Denmark with FC Nordsjaelland, was named the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the Humanitarian of the Year in 2006. He was also a member of the U.S. team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
November 11, 2003 - White Named ACC Player of the Year
Jeremiah White became the first Wake Forest player to be named ACC Player of the Year on November 11, 2003. White was also Wake's first-ever three-time All-ACC selection. White had eight goals and five assists during the 2003 season. He was drafted by New England in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft. White currently plays professionally with AEG Aarhus in Denmark.
