Wake Forest University
South Carolina
Wake Forest Drops 1-0 Decision to South Carolina
9/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2010
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
| Updated Season Stats
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - South Carolina's Bradlee Baladez scored in the sixth minute and the Gamecocks withstood a furious second half rally by Wake Forest to defeat the Demon Deacons 1-0 on Tuesday night at Spry Stadium.
With the loss, Wake Forest drops to 3-4-1 on the season, while South Carolina improves its record to 4-2-1 on the year.
South Carolina scored the only goal of the match early on Baladez's second goal of the season in the sixth minute. A failed clearance by the Wake Forest defense gave Baladez a chance to score and he tucked his shot inside the right post to put the Gamecocks on top.
Luca Gimenez led Wake Forest with three shots in the game, while Andy Lubahn and Sam Redmond each had two attempts on goal.
Jimmy Maurer earned his fourth shutout of the season in goal for the Gamecocks, making seven saves, including six in the second half. Akira Fitzgerald suffered the loss for Wake Forest, making two saves and allowing one goal.
Wake Forest held a commanding 13-6 edge in shots in the match, including an 11-1 edge in the second 45 minutes. The Deacs had a 7-3 edge in shots on goal and a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
After managing just two shots in the first half, Wake Forest was able to apply constant pressure in the second half, attempting 11 shots. The first came just eight seconds into the second stanza when Lubahn had a shot in the middle of the field that was saved by Maurer.
Gimenez had another good luck at goal 44 seconds later. His attempt from just outside the box on the left side went wide of the right post.
It appeared the Deacs had equalized in the 55th minute, but the goal was called back for offside. Lubahn played a pass to Gimenez on the left side. Gimenez crossed a pass to the right to Kyle Emerson, who placed the ball into the open net, but the goal was called back as Emerson was ruled offside.
Wake Forest continued to keep the pressure on the South Carolina defense as the Deacs had three shots on frame in the span of 90 seconds. Lubahn, Luciano Delbono and Luca Gimenez each had shots in the 69th and 70th minutes that required saves from Maurer.
The Deacs' last attempt of the game came in the 84th minute off a corner from Emerson. His kick found the head of Arena near the left post, but the shot went wide of the goal to keep the Gamecocks in front 1-0.
Wake Forest resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday, hosting Virginia Tech. Start time is set for 7 p.m.
For all of the latest information on Wake Forest men's soccer, please log on to www.WakeForestSports.com or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account @wakemenssoccer or www.twitter.com/wakemenssoccer.
