Demon Deacons Set to Host Coastal Carolina in Final Exhibition Before the 2021 Season
8/20/2021 12:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Wake Forest will make its first appearance of the year at iconic Spry Stadium this Saturday to host Coastal Carolina in an exhibition.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest men's soccer is set to host its final exhibition before the 2021 season, facing Coastal Carolina this Saturday at Spry Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and live stats will be available here.
Fan Information
Saturday's exhibition is free to all fans as The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina awaits the entire Winston-Salem community.
A number of new fan experience enhancements are planned for the 2021 season. This includes expanded food and beverage options, including availability on Walt Chyzowich Alumni Hill, an enhanced in-game experience, featuring an expanded video board production with additional cameras, replay, and fan-engaging elements, as well as new immersive experiences to promote the unique culture that is known around professional and collegiate soccer.
Parking is encouraged in lots A, B & Q. A complete parking map of campus is here.
Ticket Information
While all exhibition matches are free and seating will be general admission, fans will have the opportunity to select and purchase season tickets on Saturday evening for new reserved chair back seating at Spry Stadium.
General admission season tickets will also be on sale for Walt Chyzowich Alumni Hill and Spry Stadium.
Complete ticket information for the season can be found here.
The Matchup
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Wake Forest enters the 2021 season ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, which was released two weeks ago.
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The Demon Deacons have now been ranked in the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches poll for 87-straight weeks and the top-10 for 67-straight weeks.
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Coastal Carolina finished the 2020-21 season with a 9-5-2 overall record, only losing once in conference play.
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The Chanticleers were crowned Sun Belt regular season champions and Sun Belt Tournament champions, defeating Georgia State in penalty kicks to claim the tournament title.
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Coastal Carolina's final appearance of the 2020-21 season was a NCAA Men's Soccer Championship second round loss at the hands of the Demon Deacons this past May. Wake Forest made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
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The two programs have met eight times in total during regular season and postseason action, with Wake Forest holding a 6-2-0 advantage over the Chanticleers.
Last Time Out
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The Demon Deacons took down Furman 2-0 in an exhibition last Sunday in Greenville, S.C. A pair of second half goals from sophomore Chase Oliver and junior Omar Hernandez helped secure the victory.
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The Deacs sent out 25 different players during the exhibition and two different lineups to start each half.
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Four freshmen were in the Starting XI for their first collegiate action.
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Redshirt sophomore Cole McNally and freshman Trace Alphin each did their part in net to collect a combined clean sheet.
Quick Hits
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The Deacs come into the new season with the No.1-ranked recruiting class according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. Five of the new additions to the roster earned a top-150 ranking in the Class of 2021.
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Leading goal scorer Kyle Holcomb tallied nine goals and two assists during the 2020-21 season. The senior comes into his fourth season with a chance to break into the top-10 in program history for both goals and points. He was recently named to the ACC Preseason Watch List.
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Fellow senior Holland Rula has become a mainstay on the Deacs' backline, starting 17 games in the 2020-21 season. He also notched three assists, tied for second-most in the team.
Scouting the Chanticleers
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The Chanticleers finished the 2020-21 season ranked No. 24, winning the Sun Belt Regular Season, the Sun Belt Tournament Championship and making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
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Following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, the Sun Belt Conference disbanded it's men's soccer league. Coastal Carolina has since joined one of toughest conferences for men's soccer, Conference USA.
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Coastal Carolina comes into the contest ranked No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.
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The Chanticleers travel to Winston-Salem following two home exhibitions. One of which was a 1-1 draw with Duke and the other a 3-1 victory over Francis Marion.
Looking Ahead
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Wake Forest will host VCU at Spry Stadium on Thursday evening for its first regular season match of the fall. The contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
