Wake Forest University
3-1-0, 1-1-0
Clemson University
3-1-0, 1-1-0
Wake Forest Suffers First Loss of 2020 Season
10/13/2020 9:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Demon Deacons surrendered a goal in the 80th minute as Clemson snapped a five-game losing streak to Wake Forest.
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Despite equalizing an early second half goal from Clemson (3-1-0, 1-0-0) when senior forward Machop Chol struck in the 59th minute, Wake Forest (3-1-0, 1-1-0), allowed a Tigers goal in the 80th minute to suffer its first loss of the 2020 season.
Entering the match, the No. 1 ranked Demon Deacons had won five straight against the Tigers dating back to the 2016 season.
"Obviously we are gutted with the result but we learned a lot tonight on the road versus a very good Clemson team," said head coach Bobby Muuss. "I thought we rebounded from a slow start and played well at times in the second half. We lacked defensive discipline and teams like Clemson will make you pay for those mistakes. In the end, we will watch the game and take away points of focus for next week as we have another challenging opponent in North Carolina."
For the first time this season, the Demon Deacons went into the locker room for the halftime break without a score, as Wake Forest managed just one shot on goal through the first 45 minutes. The Tigers, however, were also stopped from netting a goal. Clemson's best chance in the first half came in the 35th minute when redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg made an acrobatic save off a shot from Clemson's James Brighton.
The Tigers, however, opened the second half with a goal when Pannenberg was beaten by Kimarni Smith in the 51st minute. The goal ignited Wake Forest' attack, as the Demon Deacons upped their pressure before Chol's third goal of the year came in the 59th minute.
While Wake Forest continued to create opportunities after, it was Clemson who struck again for the late game-winner.
The Demon Deacons will return home for a Sunday evening matchup against No. 3 North Carolina for a 6 p.m. start at Spry Stadium.
It will be the program's annual Genna Wiley Memorial Match, as the Demon Deacons will wear pink jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds going towards breast cancer research.
Team Stats
Kimarni Smith (2)
Assisted By: Grayson Barber
GOAL by Clem Smith, Kimarni Assist by Barber, Grayson.
50:30
Machop Chol (3)
GOAL by Wake Chol, Machop.
58:52
Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador (1)
Assisted By: Kimarni Smith
GOAL by Clem Fernandez-Salvador, Luis Felipe Assist by Smith, Kimarni.
79:46
