Wake Forest University
Saint Louis
Wake Forest Edged by Saint Louis in Opener
8/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest men's soccer team opened the 2016 season by dropping a 1-0 match to Saint Louis Friday night at Spry Stadium. The Demon Deacons outshot the Billikens 28-5 on the evening, but couldn't overcome an early SLU goal.
"It was a little bit disheartening because I thought the guys deserved more," said head coach Bobby Muuss. "There is a lot of excitement in an opener and it is tough when an opponent comes in and sits so deep. Their plan was to sit back and try to get a counter, and give them credit, they executed their game plan. One mistake cost us the game today. We know better and we will learn from it. We had 28 shots, but about 12 of them were a little impatient. Later in the game, you are down a goal and want to make something special happen, which I like, but I think we could have done better in the final third. We need to rebound from this and be ready for Sunday."
The Billikens (1-0) struck in the 14th minute of play to take a 1-0 lead. A long kick from goalkeeper Sascha Otte found Anthony Brown, who blasted a shot from the top of the box just under the crossbar. A minute later Saint Louis had a chance to double the lead as the Deacs committed a handball in the box, but freshman goalkeeper Andreu Cases Mundet saved the penalty kick attempt from Lennart Hein. Wake Forest (0-1) continued to pressure the Saint Louis end for the remainder of the half, but couldn't find the equalizer despite a 6-3 shot advantage over the first 45 minutes.
Wake Forest increased the pressure in the second half, outshooting Saint Louis 22-2 over the final 45 minutes, but could not find the back of the net. The Deacons came close on several chances in the final 20 minutes, including a header by Steven Echevarria that glanced off the post.
In addition to a 28-5 edge in shots, Wake Forest had a 13-2 corner kick edge. Cases Mundet made two saves in goal for Wake Forest, while Sascha Otte made 11 saves at the other end to post the shutout for Saint Louis.
Wake Forest continues its season-opening six-game homestand Sunday when it hosts Cal Poly. Game time at Spry Stadium is 7:30 p.m.
