Wake Forest, Maryland Facing off in Top-20 Clash

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In the first regular season meeting between the two sides since 2013 and the 39th overall showdown between the Demon Deacons and Terrapins, the No. 16 ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team will face No. 20 Maryland in the team's first road match of the 2023 season.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the match will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus.

The Matchup

The Demon Deacons will face their first ranked foe of the season on Friday night against the top-20 Terrapins. Through the first two United Soccer Coaches polls of the season, six opponents for the Deacs have either been ranked or received votes.
Wake Forest will be making its first appearance at Ludwig Field since a 4-3 victory over Maryland on Oct. 19, 2013.
The Demon Deacons lead the all-time series 18-15-5 and have won each of the last three meetings including a 3-0 victory in the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Spry Stadium.
This will be the 19th all-time meeting between the Demon Deacons and Terrapins in College Park.
Maryland will be playing its third of five-straight matches against teams that have already been ranked this season.
The Terrapins are 1-1-0 on the year with a victory over then-No. 10 UNCG following a loss to current No. 18 Missouri State in the season opener.
Wake Forest (12-straight years) and Maryland (22-straight years) hold the third and second longest streaks nationally for NCAA Tournament appearances. Additionally, the Demon Deacons and Terrapins since 2015 have combined to advance to the Sweet Sixteen nine times and three trips to the College Cup.

Last Time Out

Wake Forest opened the 2023 season with a 3-1 victory over Grand Canyon before drawing 1-1 with Cal on Matchday 2.
Despite falling behind early against the Lopes, the Deacs responded with three-straight goals against Grand Canyon to secure a 3-1 season-opening victory.
Against the Golden Bears, Wake Forest struck quickly via a fourth-minute goal from Babacar Niang before Cal leveled it in the 43rd minute.
Wake Forest was on the front foot late in the second half with numerous chances created but was unable to get a second goal before the final whistle.
Three Deacs have scored so far in the nascent campaign, led by Niang's two goals. Roald Mitchell and Sidney Paris account for the other Demon Deacon goals.
Hosei Kijima, meanwhile, has recorded two assists which both came in the 3-1 victory over Grand Canyon.
Trace Alphin made four saves in the draw against Cal.

Scouting the Terrapins

The Terrapins rebounded from a 1-0 loss against current No. 18 Missouri State to claim a 2-0 victory over then-No. 10 UNC Greensboro in Maryland's last match on Aug. 27.
After going into the halftime break at 0-0, Maryland scored two second half goals including the first career strike for Kimani Stewart-Baynes.
The Terps held advantages in shots (11-9), shots on goal (7-6) and corner kicks (10-3) over the Spartans.
Claiming the Big Ten regular season title in 2022, the Terrapins were tabbed as preseason favorites for the conference crown in 2023. Stefan Copetti, Alex Nitzl and Bjarne Thiesen were named to the Big Ten's Preseason Players to Watch list as well.
Maryland is led by Sasho Cirovski who is in his 31st season as head coach.

Looking Ahead

Wake Forest will return home for the team's first midweek showdown of the 2023 season on Monday night, hosting Furman at Spry Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two sides since the Deacs' 2007 National Championship season.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

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Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Hosei Kijima

Roald Mitchell

Babacar Niang

Sidney Paris

Wake Forest Athletics