Wake Forest Hosting Cornell in First-Ever Matchup

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest's No.18-ranked men's soccer team will welcome Cornell for the first-ever meeting between the two schools on Saturday.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will air live 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 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 Chyzowych 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

After the first week of action, Wake Forest ranks inside the top-25 in all three national polls. The Deacs came in at No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, No. 10 in the College Soccer News poll and No. 8 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll.
The Demon Deacons have now been ranked in the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches poll for 88-straight weeks, longest streak in the country.
Cornell was picked as the Ivy League Preseason runner-up, preceded only by Yale.
Saturday's match will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Cornell did not play in the 2020-21 NCAA soccer season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time the Big Red played a competitive match was 658 days ago when they beat Columbia 4-0.

Last Time Out

The Demon Deacons defeated Bucknell 2-0 for their first win of the season.
Senior Kyle Holcomb and junior Omar Hernandez both opened their accounts against the Bison.
Redshirt junior Jake Swallen provided assists on both goals to begin his points production for the 2021 season.
The Deacs outshot the Bison 16-2, with both of Bucknell's chances doing little to test the backline.
Swallen and sophomore Hosei Kijima made their first starts of the season.
Redshirt freshman McNally earned his fourth-career clean sheet.

Quick Hits

Holcomb notched his first points of the season with a goal and an assist against Bucknell.
His three points against the Bison put him into the top-25 in career points (49).
The San Marcos, Calif., native also moved into 17th all-time in career goals with 22.
He needs one more goal to tie former teammate and two-time All-American Bruno Lapa for the 16th-most career goals in program history.
Junior defender Nico Benalcazar continued his streak of consecutive minutes played to 1,123 minutes.

Scouting the Big Red

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ivy League cancelled all fall sports, meaning Cornell's last official game was on November, 16, 2019, 658 days ago.
Cornell completed the 2019 season with a record of 10-5-2. The Big Red took down the likes of No. 16 Michigan State and Akron, both of whom were 2018 College Cup finalists.
The Big Red returns three players who received All-Ivy honors at the conclusion of the 2019 season. Defender Connor Draught was named an All-Ivy League Second-Team selection.
Forward Emeke Eneli and midfielder Harry Fuller were named Honor Mention All-Ivy League selections as well.
Cornell was picked to finish in second place in the conference's preseason poll behind Yale.

Looking Ahead

Wake Forest will open up ACC play next Friday, playing Louisville on the road. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Nico Benalcazar

Omar Hernandez

Kyle Holcomb

Hosei Kijima

Jake Swallen

Wake Forest Athletics