Wake Forest University
University of Kentucky
Demon Deacons Face Kentucky for a Spot in the Quarterfinals
5/5/2021 11:37:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Demon Deacons will look to make a fifth appearance in the quarterfinals when they face Kentucky on Thursday night.
CARY, N.C. -- No. 4 Wake Forest (12-2-2) will look to advance to the Elite Eight of the 2020 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship when the Demon Deacons face No. 24 Kentucky (12-4-2) on Thursday night in Cary, N.C.
Wake Forest opened the tournament on Sunday night defeating Coastal Carolina by a score of 3-2 in a second round matchup at Spry Stadium, while Kentucky downed New Hampshire 2-0 in a match that took place in Greensboro, N.C.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. and will be streamed here.
The Matchup
-
The Demon Deacons enter the contest No. 4 in the latest United Soccer Coaches rankings, as the latest inclusion marked the 85th-straight week of appearing in the top-25.
-
Additionally, Wake Forest has appeared in the top-10 of that poll for 65-straight weeks.
-
The Demon Deacons also received two first-place votes in the latest poll.
-
Wake Forest is currently riding a seven-match unbeaten streak as the Demon Deacons this spring are 5-0-2.
-
The Demon Deacons were the only ACC squad to score a point in every conference match it played in this spring.
-
Kentucky qualified for postseason play with an at-large bid, finishing tied for third in Conference USA behind fellow NCAA Tournament participants Marshall and Charlotte.
-
Like Wake Forest, Kentucky is one of only six teams nationally to win at least 12 matches so far this season.
Last Time Out
-
Wake Forest won its opening game of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Coastal Carolina 3-2 at Spry Stadium on Sunday evening.
-
Sophomore Omar Hernandez netted his second brace of the season with goals in the 15th and 49th minutes. He is now tied with junior Kyle Holcomb for the team lead in goals this season with six.
-
A Coastal Carolina own goal in the 23rd minute gave Wake Forest a 2-0 lead entering halftime.
-
Holcomb, sophomore Takuma Suzuki and freshman Jahlane Forbes each picked up an assist between Hernandez's two goals. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Cole McNally earned two saves in his first-ever NCAA Tournament start between the posts.
Scouting the Wildcats
-
Kentucky is 12-4-2 in the 2020-21 season and is currently on a three match winning streak with victories over Old Dominion, South Carolina and New Hampshire.
-
The Wildcats have three wins over ACC opponents this season, twice defeating Duke while also taking down Louisville.
-
Thursday marks Kentucky's third Sweet 16 appearance.
-
The offense this season has been led by a balanced attack, with six players scoring at least three goals and eight players scoring at least two goals.
-
Sophomore Eythor Bjorgolfsson leads Kentucky with 12 points on the season thanks to a tied-team best four goals and a team-best four assists. Junior Forward Daniel Evans trails just behind with 11 points (four goals, three assists).
-
Senior Enrique Facusse has once again been stout for the Wildcats, as the three-time All-C-USA goalkeeper has allowed just two goals in his three appearances so far this spring.
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship History
-
This season's selection marks the 24th time in the program's 40-year history of making the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
-
The program has made the College Cup six times, including twice under current head coach Bobby Muuss (2016 and 2019).
-
In 2007, the Demon Deacons earned their first National Championship by defeating Ohio State 2-1 in the Final.
-
The Demon Deacons are 13-5-0 in NCAA Men's Soccer Championship play under Muuss.
-
Wake Forest has advanced to the Round of 16 in each of the last six seasons.
Looking Ahead
-
The winner of Thursday's match will move on to the quarterfinals to face either Stanford or North Carolina at 5 p.m. on Monday in Cary, N.C.. Thursday's match between the Cardinal and Tar Heels will be contested at 6 p.m. at WakeMed Field #2.
-
All remaining 2020 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship matches will be played in Cary.
