Wake Forest Athletics
Millington, Opara Appear With US National Teams
6/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
June 4, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest sophomore Nick Millington and junior Ike Opara recently appeared with a pair of United States Men's Soccer National Teams. Millington saw time with the U.S. U-18 team in Portugal, while Opara played with the U.S. U-20 team against Costa Rica in Sarasota, Fla.
Millington, a sophomore midfielder from Raleigh, N.C., played in all three games, including two starts, for the U.S. in the U-18 Lisbon International Tournament in Portugal. After coming in as a second-half sub in the opening game of the tournament against Finland, Millington was part of the starting 11 in the final two games. The U.S. finished the event with a 1-1-1 record, defeating Finland, playing Germany to a scoreless tie and dropping a 1-0 decision to Portugal. Millington was joined on the trip by Wake Forest head coach Jay Vidovich, who was serving as an assistant coach.
Millington saw playing time in 13 games, including one start, during his freshman season as a Demon Deacon. He finished the year with a goal and an assist. Millington tallied a goal in Wake's 3-0 win against UCLA on September 5 and added an assist in the Deacs' 8-2 victory over Virginia Tech on October 4.
Opara, a junior from Durham, N.C., was one of six defenders on the U.S. U-20 team that played Costa Rica in a pair of games at the Development Academy Spring Showcase. The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year started and played the full 90 minutes in both games for the U.S. The team went 1-0-1 over the two games, defeating Costa Rica 2-1 in the opener, before tying Costa Rica 3-3 in the second game.
One of the top central defenders in college soccer, Opara started 22 games during the 2008 season, helping the team to 14 clean sheets. He was named a first team All-American by Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News. The All-ACC First Team member also added five goals for the Demon Deacon offense.
