Friday, October 25
Dallas, Texas
6 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
SMU
Photo by: Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest, No. 21 SMU First-Ever Meeting Holds High ACC Stakes
10/24/2024 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Demon Deacons continue to push for a top seed in the ACC standings as they face the No. 21 ranked Mustangs Friday night.
DALLAS – Wake Forest men's soccer and No. 21 SMU will match up in a nationally televised contest on Friday night as the Demon Deacons look to continue trending upwards in the ACC standings.
Kick-off for the first-ever meeting between the Deacs and Mustangs is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST and the match will air nationally on the ACC Network.
The Matchup
Kick-off for the first-ever meeting between the Deacs and Mustangs is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST and the match will air nationally on the ACC Network.
The Matchup
- Wake Forest and SMU will meet in a matchup that has high stakes in a crowded ACC race.
- The Demon Deacons enter the match riding a seven-match unbeaten streak and are 7-3-5 on the season and 3-1-2 in ACC play.
- SMU, meanwhile, is 7-2-5 overall and 2-2-2 in ACC play as the Mustangs' had an eight-match unbeaten streak snapped on Saturday evening at NC State.
- Wake Forest has picked up points in five of its first six ACC matches this season, as the Deacs have defeated Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech while drawing with Virginia and current No. 10 Duke.
- SMU holds ACC victories over Cal and Virginia Tech while tallying ties against current No. 10 Duke and No. 7 Stanford.
- Wake Forest picked up its third ACC victory of the season on Saturday night, defeating a talented Virginia Tech squad 2-1 in the program's annual Genna Wiley Memorial Match.
- The Demon Deacons would take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break, after freshman Dylan Borso being taken at the top of the 18 resulted in a spectacular direct free kick goal from sophomore Jose Perez.
- The goal was the second of the season for Perez, as he also struck in similar fashion in the Deacs' season opener against VCU.
- The Hokies would level the match out of the halftime break, however, as Virginia Tech took advantage of a corner kick opportunity in the 47th minute.
- As both teams looking for a go-ahead goal in the latter stages of the second half, it would be the Demon Deacons who would take the lead at 2-1 in the 73rd minute, as graduate Prince Amponsah linked up with freshman Amoni Thomas before the Edmonton, Canada, native lofted a ball to the foot of junior Cooper Flax who buried his fourth goal of the season.
- With the 2-1 result holding until the final whistle, Wake Forest is now seven-straight unbeaten.
- Heading into the final two weeks of the season, Wake Forest is currently tied for fourth place in the ACC alongside Virginia at 11 points. Wake Forest, however, has two ACC matches remaining with Friday's tilt against SMU before facing No. 19 NC State next Friday at Spry, while Virginia competes in its final ACC match against No. 5 Pitt on Friday.
- The Deacs trail only No. 5 Pitt (15 points), No. 7 Stanford (12 points) and No. 3 Clemson (12 points) in the ACC table.
- This year's format for the ACC Tournament has been altered with the additions of Stanford, Cal and SMU, as only the top seed will earn a first round bye. Seeds 2-15 will play first round matches on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the higher seeded program's campus.
- A perennial power in men's college soccer, SMU has adjusted to life in the ACC as the Mustangs are 7-2-5.
- Reigning AAC Midfielder of the Year and United Soccer Coaches All-American Bailey Sparks is the centerpiece of the Mustangs' attack, as he leads the team in shots (32), points (16), shots on goal (15), assists (six) and goals (five).
- Martin Dominguez has started the last nine matches in goal for SMU, as the Dallas native has recorded 31 saves with three clean sheets.
- Wake Forest will conclude the regular season next Friday, hosting NC State in a Big Four showdown.
- The match will serve as the Deacs' Senior Night, as Wake Forest will honor the program's 10 seniors and graduates.
- Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's SoccerFootball Media Availability (10/16/25)
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