Wake Forest’s Seven-Match Unbeaten Stretch Snapped at SMU

DALLAS – Wake Forest men's soccer 7-4-5 (3-2-2 ACC) saw its seven-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Friday evening, falling to No. 21 SMU 8-2-5 (3-2-2 ACC) by a final score of 3-0 at the Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium.

After an aggressive attack on the Demon Deacon goal in the early stages of the match with nine shots in the first 12 minutes of action, SMU would eventually take a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute as the Mustangs scored on a penalty kick.

The Demon Deacons had a pair of prime opportunities to equalize in the second half, first on what looked like a 62nd-minute goal from junior Basit Umar that was called back due to a handball before a missed penalty kick in the 74th minute.

SMU scored in the 83rd and 88th minutes to secure the 3-0 victory for the Mustangs.

In goal, senior Trace Alphin made four saves.

Wake Forest will conclude the regular season portion of the 2024 schedule next Friday, hosting No. 19 NC State at Spry Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

How It Happened

SMU opened the match with heavy pressure on the Deacs' backline with three corner kicks and four shots in the first four minutes of action.
- Senior Trace Alphin recorded a save on the Mustangs' second shot of the evening.
The Mustangs had a ninth-minute attempt that hit the crossbar.
The Demon Deacons blocked three consecutive shots during a 15-second span in the 12th and 13th minutes.
Junior Cooper Flax registered the first shot of the evening for Wake Forest in the 17th minute, an attempt from distance that went to the left of the frame.
SMU took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute courtesy of a penalty kick.
In total, Wake Forest recorded three shots heading into the halftime break.
Freshman Dylan Borso tallied the first shot of the second half for either side, a 47th-minute attempt inside the 18 that was blocked.
The Demon Deacons continued to apply the pressure on the Mustang back line, as Flax's 52nd minute effort was blocked out for a corner.
Alphin made a spectacular diving effort to deny a close range header in the 53rd minute to keep the game at 1-0.
Alphin was called into action again in the 62nd minute to deny a header off of a corner for his third save of the game.
Junior Basit Umar had a golden chance to equalize in the 62nd minute, but his close range effort was ultimately ruled a handball before he scored.
Umar once again tested the Mustang goal as his 66th minute effort from outside the box went just wide.
After Basit Umar was taken down in the penalty box, the Demon Deacons' 74th-minute penalty kick was saved.
SMU extended their lead to 2-0 in the 83rd minute.
Redshirt sophomore Nico Rabiu fired a shot from outside of the box, but his effort was saved in the 84th minute.
SMU made it 3-0 off a free kick in the 88th minute before the final whistle.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

Graduate Prince Amponsah earned his 77th career start, 19th-most in program history.
- Amponsah also made his 85th career appearance, 11th-most in program history.
Senior Trace Alphin became the 33rd Demon Deacon to start 70 career matches, as he joined Jared Watts (2010-13), Jamie Franks (2005-08) and former teammate Garrison Tubbs for the 30th-most starts in program history.
Sophomore Travis Smith Jr. earned his 20th career start.
Sophomore Jose Perez earned his 15th career start.
Graduate Colin Thomas made his 75th career appearance.
Senior Ryan Fessler made his 60th career appearance.
Junior Cooper Flax made his 50th career appearance.
Redshirt sophomore Nico Rabiu made his 20th career appearance.

From Coach Muuss
"This one hurt. We were asleep for most of the first half and no way you can compete against a talented group like SMU in second gear. That performance was not indicative of a Wake Forest side. I thought we played well up until the missed PK, and SMU punished us on silly mistakes in the end. I need to do a better job preparing the group and make better decisions as we prepare for a big regular season finale against NC State."

Up Next
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.

Wake Forest’s Seven-Match Unbeaten Stretch Snapped at SMU

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Team Stats

Cooper Flax

Basit Umar

Nico Rabiu

Dylan Borso

Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Prince Amponsah

Dylan Borso

Ryan Fessler

Cooper Flax

Jose Perez

Nico Rabiu

Travis Smith Jr.

Colin Thomas

Garrison Tubbs

Basit Umar

Wake Forest Athletics

Wake Forest’s Seven-Match Unbeaten Stretch Snapped at SMU

Related News

Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Cooper Flax

Basit Umar

Nico Rabiu

Dylan Borso

Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Prince Amponsah

Dylan Borso

Ryan Fessler

Cooper Flax

Jose Perez

Nico Rabiu

Travis Smith Jr.

Colin Thomas

Garrison Tubbs

Basit Umar

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