Wake Forest Athletics
Men's Soccer Names Three Captains for 2016 Season
4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With the conclusion of spring practice and competition, Wake Forest men's soccer has named three captains for the 2016 season in Ian Harkes, Jacori Hayes and Alec Ferrell.
Both Harkes and Hayes were team captains last season with Michael Gamble as the Deacs went 17-3-2 and made an appearance in the Elite Eight.
"These three guys are not just great players, but they are great leaders and even better young men," said head coach Bobby Muuss. "They work extremely hard each day, value the ‘team first' mentality and have a strong desire to win. Both Jacori and Ian showed last year they can wear the armband and lead a team to a championship and although Alec was not a captain last year, his leadership both on and off the field has been vital to the team's success and we expect that to continue this year."
A season ago, Harkes started all 22 games and scored one goal to go with four assists for the season while patrolling central midfield. After the season, he was named an All-ACC First Team honoree while collecting NSCAA All-South Region Second Team honors, ACC Championship All-Tournament Team honors and All-ACC Academic Team accolades. In his career, Harkes has started all 59 games he's played in.
"It is a tremendous honor to be a captain for Wake Forest men's soccer," Harkes said. "There have been so many great players and coaches that have passed through the program and set the foundation for who we are and what we stand for. To wear the same jersey they did and to have the chance to lead a team where every guy is chasing the same goal is a privilege.
"I am very excited to be a part of the 2016 team because not only is there a tremendous amount of talent in the group, but also because of the belief, hard work and love for the game we all share and the desire to carry on the Wake Forest soccer culture of excellence with many more wins in 2016."
Hayes had a breakout season in 2015, notching five assists to go with a career-best five goals on his way to earning All-ACC First Team recognition. All five of his goals went down as game-winners, including tallies against Santa Clara, South Carolina, North Carolina and Louisville on two occasions. The goal in the 17th minute on Oct. 17 against North Carolina lifted then-No. 4 Wake Forest to a 1-0 win over the second-ranked Tar Heels in front of a program-record 5,070 fans at Spry Stadium.
"It is an honor to wear the armband and lead a group of guys that have grown to be my family," Hayes said. "I always want to play my best for the team and provide a good example for others, but with that said I know there is a lot of pressure and responsibility in being a captain for this program. My goal is to be the best captain I can be in leading the team and continuing to build upon last season's success, but to also to continue to set the standard for the future leaders of our great program."
Ferrell also had a breakout season for the Demon Deacons in 2015 by posting a career-best 0.66 GAA in 18 starts between the pipes. His .846 save percentage topped his previous career-high by more than 80 points (.760) and his 66 saves on the year helped him pull into ninth place all-time at Wake Forest with 172 career saves. Additionally, his current career GAA of 1.01 sits fourth-best all-time heading into his final year with the program. After the 2015 season, Ferrell was named an All-ACC Second Teamer.
"When I first stepped into Spry Stadium four years ago, I knew immediately it was a special place," Ferrell said. "Today as I look around at it, my teammates and those who came before me, I am very humbled to be a part of the Wake Forest soccer family. To have the role of being one of the team captains is an unbelievable honor that I will cherish. This place, this team and this family are sacred to me and I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead this team with Ian and Jacori as we look to improve upon last season's results chasing championships."
Throughout the 2016 season, Muuss and his coaching staff will lean heavily on not only the three captains, but also on the team's multitude of seniors.
"I think the three captains and the support from the other senior leaders on this team will lead to a successful season," Muuss said. "We have a great group of seniors on this team with great experience and our coaching staff will be leaning on these three and other upper classmen to drive and lead this group."
Wake Forest posted a perfect 5-0 record during its spring season against the likes of Virginia Tech, UNCG, Kentucky, Elon and VCU. Across the five games, the Deacs did not allow a goal while outscoring their opponents 10-0, highlighted by the 4-0 win on April 16 at Springfest in front of 1,514 fans at Spry Stadium. Prior to the spring slate, Wake Forest posted a 3-0 mark while in Spain, beating teams from Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and UE Cornella.
The Deacs' 2016 ACC schedule will start at home on Sept. 10 when Wake Forest welcomes Virginia to Winston-Salem for a 7 p.m. matchup. The Demon Deacons' nonconference schedule will be announced next month.
