Wake Forest University
Kentucky
Wake Forest Blanks Kentucky 3-0 in Exhibition
8/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 22, 2015
By Steve Kirkland, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest men's soccer team concluded its preseason schedule Saturday night with a 3-0 victory over Kentucky in front of 3,633 fans at Spry Stadium. Junior midfielder Jacori Hayes scored twice and freshman midfielder Jack Harrison added a goal and an assist for the Demon Deacons.
"Our ultimate goal was to come into this game and see if we could take steps and get better from last week's game at Furman," said head coach Bobby Muuss. "I think we did that tonight. We started the game really well. Our goal was to impose our game on Kentucky and the guys did that. We learned some things about ourselves and got a lot of the young guys some experience. That will only make us better going forward."
The Demon Deacons controlled play from the start as Michael Gamble had several chances to give Wake an early lead. He got behind the defense in the fifth-minute, but his one-timer was saved by Kentucky keeper Callum Ferrell. Ten minutes later he fired a shot from the top of the box that rattled the crossbar.
Wake Forest took advantage of their edge in possession with the game's first goal in the 26th minute. Harrison sent a cross to the far post that found Hayes, who headed it home to give the Deacons the lead.
Hayes doubled the lead in the 37th minute with his second goal of the night. After Gamble had forced a save on a shot at the top of the box, the rebound fell right to Hayes who tapped it home.
The Demon Deacons added a third goal in the 68th minute as Harrison one-timed a cross from Philip Parker. Wake Forest also had two other second half goals nullified by offside and Harrison had another chance go off the post.
"The interchange and counteractive movements of the front three and four was fantastic tonight," said Muuss. "When those guys are on, and we are moving, and getting numbers forward, we can be very dangerous. With the type of players we have, that poses a threat to any opponent."
Wake Forest outshot Kentucky 17-3 on the evening and had the game's only two corner kicks. Alec Farrell and Andrew Harris each played a half in goal for the Demon Deacons to combine for the shutout.
Wake Forest will open a four-game homestand on Friday, Aug. 28, against Santa Clara to start the regular season. First kick between the Deacs and Broncos is set for 7 p.m.
Fans can purchase single game tickets and season tickets for both the men's and women's soccer programs. Single game tickets are $5 per game and $3 for groups of eight or more. Season tickets are $48 for adults and $27 for youth and seniors. For more information, please call (336) 758-3322.
