Wake Forest University
Bucknell University
Demon Deacons Seeking First Win of Season Against Bucknell
8/28/2021 12:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Wake Forest will close out the opening weekend of the 2021 season hosting Bucknell at Spry Stadium.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest's No. 7 ranked men's soccer team will look to earn its first victory of the season on Sunday night when the Demon Deacons host Bucknell at Spry Stadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will air nationally on the ACC Network.
Fan Information
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, W1 & W2. A complete parking map of campus is here.
Gates open at 6 p.m., or one hour prior to kickoff for all future home matches.
Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina within a safe and fan-friendly environment. A complete list of prohibited items for Spry Stadium and Chyzowych Hill is located here, which includes metal or hard-framed chairbacks/seat cushions (soft, non-metal chairbacks are allowed). Additionally, all animals are also prohibited (excluding service animals).
Ticket Information
The best way to enjoy Demon Deacon soccer throughout the 2021 season is through the purchase of Season Tickets. Packages start at only $45 for adults or $25 for youth and seniors.
For those wishing to purchase single-game admission for Spry Stadium, advance purchases are highly encouraged. Single game chairback seats are available for only $20, while bleacher admission is $10 and general admission seating on Walt Chyzowich Alumni Hill is $5.
The quickest and most efficient way to order tickets and take advantage of these new seating experiences is to visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets and purchase online or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Complete ticket information for the season can be found here.
The Matchup
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Both schools will look to get their first win of the 2021 campaign.
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The meeting will be the second between the two programs. Wake Forest trails in the all-time series 0-1-0. The only previous meeting between these two schools came during the 1982 season.
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Wake Forest entered the 2021 season picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division of the ACC behind Clemson.
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Bucknell, meanwhile, checked in at No. 9 in the Patriot League's preseason poll.
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Wake Forest opened the season suffering a 2-0 loss to VCU despite outshooting (20-10) the Rams and having a sizable advantage on corner kicks (15-2).
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Bucknell dropped its first match of the 2021 season. The Bison were beaten by a final score of 7-0 against North Carolina.
Last Time Out
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The Demon Deacons opened the 2021 season on Thursday night, falling to VCU by a final of 2-0.
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Seven different Wake Forest players logged at least two shots, led by junior Omar Hernandez's five.
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Freshman Babacar Niang earned his first-career start in his collegiate debut.
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He was one of six freshmen who collected their first playing time at the college level.
Quick Hits
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The Deacs came into the new season with the No.1-ranked recruiting class according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. Five of the newest 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 entered 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, the College Soccer News Preseason All-American Third Team, and Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Best XI Second Team.
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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.
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Junior defender Nico Benalcazar was recently honored by Top Drawer Soccer as a member of the Preseason Best XI First Team. Benalcazar has started the last 23 games in a row for the Demon Deacons, most in the Wake Forest squad.
Scouting the Bison
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Bucknell opened the 2021 season on Thursday night, losing to No. 4 North Carolina by a final score of 7-0.
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The Bison surrendered five goals in the first half.
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Twenty different Bison appeared in the match.
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Bucknell was picked to finish in ninth place in the Patriot League's preseason poll.
Looking Ahead
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Wake Forest will close out a three-match homestand to start the 2021 season when the Demon Deacons host Cornell next Saturday for a 7 p.m. The match will mark the first for Cornell since Nov. 16, 2019.
