Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Liberty
Wake Forest Defeats Liberty 2-0 in Exhibition
8/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 22, 2009
Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Freshman forward Andy Lubahn scored a goal and assist in his first collegiate game as third-ranked Wake Forest downed Liberty 2-0 in an exhibition match on Saturday night in front of 2,341 fans at Spry Stadium.
"It was great to be back at Spry again," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "Our guys were excited and hungry to play. We got off to a great start with Lubahn's goal. The rest of the game showed that we have a lot of work to do, but I think there were a lot of good things tonight as well."
Wake Forest wasted no time in scoring, as Lubahn scored 46 seconds into the first half. Zack Schilawski added the second goal, scoring in the 79th minute.
Lubahn was impressive in his first match as a Demon Deacon, scoring the game-winning goal and also adding an assist on the second goal of the night.
"It was a great debut for him," Vidovich said. "We're very excited about his potential. He's a good soccer player and a compliment to the Wake Forest jersey."
The Demon Deacons outshot Liberty 13-2, including nine shots in the second 45 minutes. Wake had seven shots on goal, compared to zero for Liberty.
Akira Fitzgerald and Michael Lisch combined for the shutout in goal. Fitzgerald played the first 61:48 of the game and Lisch closed out the contest, playing the final 28:12. Neither keeper was forced to make a save in the game.
Wake Forest grabbed an early 1-0 lead just 46 seconds into the game. A giveaway by a Liberty player inside the 18-yard box came right to Lubahn. He fired a shot from 14 yards out that went inside the left post to put the Demon Deacons in front 1-0.
The Deacs had several quality chances early in the second half to double the lead, but were unable to find a goal. In the 62nd minute, senior Austin da Luz attempted a shot from 30 yards out, but the keeper made a diving stop to keep the score at 1-0.
Lubahn nearly netted his second goal of the game in the 70th minute. Junior Corben Bone played a cross to Lubahn inside the six-yard box. His shot from point blank range was deflected by a Liberty defender at the goal line and bounced off the cross bar, allowing the Flames to clear the ball to safety.
Schilawski was able to double the lead in the 79th minute. Senior Nick Courtney played a one-touch pass to Schilawski on the right side of the box. His attempt from 15 yards out snuck inside the left post to make the score 2-0. Lubahn also recorded an assist on the play.
Liberty struggled to get anything going offensively the entire game. The Flames managed their first shot in the 58th minute. The best scoring chance for Liberty came in the 88th minute. Wake Forest gave the ball away inside the 18. Timothy Bullock had an open look at the goal from 12 yards out, but his shot went just wide of the right post.
Andrew Madero and Paul Gilbert each played 45 minutes in net for Liberty and allowed a goal. Madero made one stop for Liberty, while Gilbert made four saves.
Wake Forest closes out its exhibition schedule on Thursday, August 27, when it travels to Furman for an 8 p.m. contest.
