Demon Deacons Hosting No. 5 Pitt in ACC Home Opener

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest men's soccer will hold its first home Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match of the season on Friday night, hosting No. 5 Pitt at Spry Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

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 Chyzowych 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 7 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.

Complete fan information can be found here.

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 $25, while bleacher admission is $15.

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.

Health & Safety Protocols
Wake Forest Athletics works closely with Wake Forest University, Forsyth County and state officials to follow COVID-related guidelines for the safety of fans in attendance at Truist Field and all venues. While proof of vaccination is not currently required for spectators, we encourage vaccinations for all. We are proud that nearly 100% of Wake Forest Athletics student-athletes, staff and coaches are vaccinated, as required under University and Athletics policy. Currently, all academic buildings are closed to visitors, and masks are required in all indoor spaces. For additional information regarding steps the University is taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus, we strongly encourage you to review the University's COVID-19 Notice.

Wake Forest has several gameday guidelines and strategies. First and foremost is required face coverings for all unvaccinated fans in attendance. Additionally, all fans must wear a mask indoors at all times, regardless of vaccination status. Wake Forest Athletics also requires all non-team personnel to be masked at all times inside the field enclosure.

The Matchup

Wake Forest and Pitt will meet on Friday night in the second conference match for both programs.
The Demon Deacons are coming off a 3-0 loss to Louisville while Pitt defeated North Carolina 4-0.
Wake Forest remains ranked in the top-25 of the College Soccer News national poll while the Panthers are in the top-10 in two different rankings.
Wake Forest is 1-1-0 at Spry Stadium this season. Pitt is 1-2-0 away from Ambrose Urbanic Field.
This will mark the first time Wake Forest has hosted Pitt in the regular season since a 2-0 victory on Sept. 16, 2017.

Last Time Out

Wake Forest competed in its ACC opener last Friday, falling to Louisville by a final of 3-0.
Wake Forest conceded two first half goals before giving up a third early in the second half after the Demon Deacons went down a man due to a red card.
In the second half, Wake Forest outshot Louisville 11-4.
Twenty-three Demon Deacons earned minutes during the contest including seven freshmen.
Freshman Trace Alphin earned his first career start in the match.

Quick Hits

The matchup will feature Wake Forest's last two head coaches in current leader Bobby Muuss and Jay Vidovich. Vidovich served as the Demon Deacons' head coach from 1994-2014 before taking over for the Panthers prior to the start of the 2015 season.
Friday's match will be the fifth all-time meeting between the Demon Deacons and the Panthers and the first since the 2019 season. In the previous four meetings, Wake Forest has outscored Pitt 10-0.
With two goals and two assists so far this season, senior Kyle Holcomb currently sits tied for 21st in program history in career points with 52. He is also tied for the 16th-most career goals with 23.

Scouting the Panthers

Pitt enters the match with a 4-2-0 record after defeating in-state rival Penn State earlier this week.
The Panthers were picked as the preseason favorites to win the ACC following the program's first-ever College Cup appearance in the spring.
Junior Valentin Noel was Pitt's representative on the ACC Preseason Watch list as he currently has two goals on two assists on the year.
Junior Veljko Petkovic currently leads the team in points (12) while senior Rodrigo Almeida has collected a team-high five goals.
Graduate Nico Campuzano has started all six games in net, collecting three clean sheets.

Looking Ahead

Wake Forest will play its lone road nonconference match of the season on Monday night when the Demon Deacons travel to Fairfax, Va., to take on George Mason. The contest will begin at 7 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Kyle Holcomb

Wake Forest Athletics