Wake Forest University
1-0-1, 0-0-0
California
0-0-2, 0-0-0
No. 18 Wake Forest, Cal Play to 1-1 Draw at Spry Stadium
8/27/2023 9:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Deacs got a fourth-minute goal from Babacar Niang while Trace Alphin recorded four saves on the night.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The No. 18 ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team (1-0-1, 0-0-0 ACC) and Cal (0-0-2, 0-0-0 Pac-12) drew 1-1 on Sunday night at Spry Stadium.
The Demon Deacons secured an early lead in the fourth minute of action, as Babacar Niang collected a loose ball within the 18-yard box to beat Golden Bears keeper Connor Lambe. Cal, however, responded with a goal in the 43rd-minute. Despite Wake Forest creating multiple chances throughout the second half up until the final whistle, the match ended 1-1.
Wake Forest's third match of the 2023 campaign will see the Demon Deacons hit the road for a massive non-conference showdown with Maryland on Friday night at Ludwig Field. Kick-off for the 39th all-time meeting between the Deacs and Terrapins will take place at 7:30 p.m.
How It Happened
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The Demon Deacons jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute, as Babacar Niang buried his second of the season. It marked the first time a Deac scored in back-to-back matches since Oscar Sears struck against Boston College and Wofford Oct. 15 and 18, 2022.
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It also marked the second time the Dakar, Senegal, native has logged a goal in consecutive matches, as he also did against Clemson and Duke in 2022.
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Wake Forest nearly doubled its lead in the ninth minute, as Garrison Tubbs got a head on a lofted Niang corner that went just above the frame.
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Trace Alphin's first save of the season came in the 29th minute, as the junior got a leg to prevent the Golden Bears from leveling it.
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Cal would make it 1-1 at the break, as the Golden Bears' response came off a free kick in the 43rd minute.
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Wake Forest held a 55-45 percent advantage in the opening frame. The Deacs finished the night with 58 percent of possession through the 90 minutes of action.
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An incredible effort from Sidney Paris prevented a second Cal goal in the 56th minute, as the junior cleared the ball off the line.
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The Deacons earned three consecutive corners in the 61-63 minutes, but the Golden Bears were able to weather the storm in front of their own net.
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In the 85th minute, Mitchell received a perfectly placed ball from Niang but was taken down in the box while play continued.
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A cross into the box for Mitchell nearly gave Wake Forest an 87th-minute lead, but his attempt went just right of the frame.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
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With Sunday's result against Cal, Wake Forest remains unbeaten in 12-straight non-conference regular season matches at Spry Stadium dating back to a 4-0 victory over William & Mary on Oct. 5, 2021. In those 12 contests, the Deacs have outscored opponents a combined 39-7.
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The draw was Wake Forest's first since a 1-1 result with NC State on Sept. 24, 2021 and the 100th in program history.
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Sidney Paris earned his 25th career start in his 45th collegiate appearance.
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Vlad Walent earned his 15th career start.
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Oscar Sears made his 50th career appearance.
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Leo Guarino made his 35th career appearance.
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Sunday's match marked the fourth-ever meeting between the Deacs and Golden Bears and the first since the 2014 season.
From Coach Muuss
"I'm disappointed. At the end of the first half I thought we lost the game a little bit. I thought we were on them and had the better of the play. With probably about 15 to 17 minutes left in the first half, I think we lost it a little bit. I thought there were a couple of silly fouls that we had given a restart-oriented team. They have some big guys and that led to opportunities. Restarts turned into corners and corners turned into more restarts. For us to concede right before halftime was tough, but I thought the guys showed perseverance. I thought we dictated the game for the last 25 minutes and we were extremely unlucky not to get a goal."
Up Next
Wake Forest will hit the road for the first time during the 2023 season, facing No. 14 Maryland on Friday, Sept. 1 at Ludwig Field. It will be the Deacs' first appearance in College Park since a 4-3 victory over the Terrapins on Oct. 19, 2013.
Kick-off will be at 7:30 p.m. and be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus.
Team Stats
Babacar Niang (2)
GOAL by WFU Niang, Babacar.
03:56
Kevin Carmichael (1)
Assisted By: Juan Martinez
GOAL by CAL Carmichael, Kevin Assist by Martinez, Juan.
42:19
