No. 5 Demon Deacons Facing UAB on Saturday Night

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – No. 5 Wake Forest men's soccer will make its regular season road debut for the 2022 season on Saturday night, facing UAB at PNC Field.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Matchup

Both squads enter Saturday's match sporting 2-0-0 records, as Wake Forest defeated UCF and Air Force on the opening weekend of the season while UAB recorded clean sheets against the College of Charleston and Queens.
This will be the first time Wake Forest has appeared on the road against UAB and the Deacs' first-ever appearance in the state of Alabama.
The Demon Deacons jumped 10 spots in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll and currently rank fifth. Wake Forest is one of seven ACC schools ranked in the top-25.
The Deacs pitched a 1-0 shutout against perennial AAC powerhouse UCF on Thursday before two memorable goals from freshman Vlad Walent and sophomore Oscar Sears highlighted a victory over Air Force 2-1 on Sunday.
UAB's offense has been led by Brooks Rice and Nathaniel St. Louis, as each has scored a pair of goals so far this season.

Last Time Out

Wake Forest closed out the opening weekend of the season on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Air Force at Spry Stadium.
First half goals from Vlad Walent and Oscar Sears gave Wake Forest a 2-0 halftime lead before the Deacs held on for a 2-1 victory.
With his goal along with the setup on the Deacs' game-winning strike against UCF, Sears currently holds a team-high three points on the nascent campaign.
Sophomore goalkeeper Trace Alphin recorded three saves and has seven on the season so far.

First Trip Of The Season

Wake Forest will make its first of five appearances away from Spry in Saturday night's match.
While Wake Forest has earned an NCAA-best 85 home wins since the start of the 2015 season, the Deacs have also earned 29 road victories under head coach Bobby Muuss.
Saturday's match will be Wake Forest's first appearance at PNC Field.
Along with UAB, Wake Forest will also travel to face Virginia Tech (Sept. 16), current No. 1 Clemson (Sept. 24), current No. 15 Syracuse (Oct. 7), William & Mary (Oct. 11) and Virginia (Oct. 22).

Scouting The Blazers

UAB opened the 2022 season with consecutive clean sheets, thwarting College of Charleston 2-0 before defeating Queens 3-0.
In those two victories, UAB's stout defense was anchored by graduate goalkeeper Jack Hudson as he needed to record just two saves in 180 minutes of action.
Fellow graduate Brookes Rice logged a goal and an assist against College of Charleston along with putting another goal past Queens.
UAB men's soccer is in its first season in the AAC.

Looking Ahead

Wake Forest will return home on Tuesday night to host Winthrop in the first meeting between the two schools since the 2011 season.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will air on ACC Network Extra.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Oscar Sears

Vlad Walent

Wake Forest Athletics