Sunday, November 10
Dallas, TX
4 p.m.
Wake Forest University
9-4-6, 4-2-2
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10-2-6, 4-2-2
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Wake Forest Advances to ACC Semifinals After Penalty Kick Win Over SMU
11/10/2024 7:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Second half goals from junior Cooper Flax and freshman Ryan Belal helped complete the comeback for the Demon Deacons before freshman Mason Sullivan slotted the winning penalty in sudden death.
DALLAS – After trailing 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining, the No. 5 seeded Wake Forest men's soccer team (9-4-6) advanced to the ACC Semifinals after knocking off No. 4 seeded SMU (10-2-6) 5-4 in penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in regulation and overtime.
Following a goalless first half, the Mustangs took a 2-0 advantage with goals in the 60th and 67th minutes, but would not hold the lead for long.
In the 78th minute, junior midfielder Cooper Flax perfectly struck a free kick from 25-yards out for his team-best sixth goal of the season. It also marked his second goal of the ACC Tournament after his tally against Syracuse in the first round.
Just three minutes later, freshman forward Ryan Belal leveled the match with a volley following a dangerous ball in from senior defender Nicolas Mancilla. It was Belal's third collegiate goal and first since the 2-0 victory over Boston College on Oct. 5.
In penalties, Wake Forest converted on its first four attempts (Flax, Belal, Umar and Perez), but was then forced into sudden death.
In the sixth round, freshman Mason Sullivan connected on a powerful shot down the middle and gave Wake Forest the edge. SMU then missed its sixth attempt wide left as the Demon Deacons advanced to the semifinals.
It marked the first time since Nov. 10, 2019 against Virginia Tech (advanced 4-3) that Wake Forest went into penalty kicks. Of note, Wake Forest has now advanced in their last three times in penalties.
ACC Semifinals Bound
By advancing against No. 4 SMU, Wake Forest will be making its 21st all-time appearance in the ACC Tournament semifinals and the seventh in 10 seasons under Muuss.
Since 2015, Wake Forest's seven ACC Tournament semifinal appearances are second-most in the conference.
How It Happened
"Super proud of the resilience this group continues to show. There have been a lot of doubters of this team, but they have battled and keep battling through all the adversity we have gone through this season. To be down 2-0 and comeback in this conference is a testament to the guys' grit and their desire to get better and win the jersey."
Up Next
Wake Forest will turn its attention to ACC Tournament semifinals action on Thursday evening, facing the team that advances from tonight's matchup between No. 9 seeded Virginia and No. 1 seeded Pitt.
The match will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14 at either 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
Following a goalless first half, the Mustangs took a 2-0 advantage with goals in the 60th and 67th minutes, but would not hold the lead for long.
In the 78th minute, junior midfielder Cooper Flax perfectly struck a free kick from 25-yards out for his team-best sixth goal of the season. It also marked his second goal of the ACC Tournament after his tally against Syracuse in the first round.
Just three minutes later, freshman forward Ryan Belal leveled the match with a volley following a dangerous ball in from senior defender Nicolas Mancilla. It was Belal's third collegiate goal and first since the 2-0 victory over Boston College on Oct. 5.
In penalties, Wake Forest converted on its first four attempts (Flax, Belal, Umar and Perez), but was then forced into sudden death.
In the sixth round, freshman Mason Sullivan connected on a powerful shot down the middle and gave Wake Forest the edge. SMU then missed its sixth attempt wide left as the Demon Deacons advanced to the semifinals.
It marked the first time since Nov. 10, 2019 against Virginia Tech (advanced 4-3) that Wake Forest went into penalty kicks. Of note, Wake Forest has now advanced in their last three times in penalties.
ACC Semifinals Bound
By advancing against No. 4 SMU, Wake Forest will be making its 21st all-time appearance in the ACC Tournament semifinals and the seventh in 10 seasons under Muuss.
Since 2015, Wake Forest's seven ACC Tournament semifinal appearances are second-most in the conference.
| Team | Appearances Since '15 | Years In ACC Semifinals |
|
9 | 2015-2017, 2019-24 |
|
7 | 2015-2019, 2022, 2024 |
|
4 | 2017, 2019-20, 2022 |
| 3. Notre Dame | 4 | 2015, 2017, 2020-21 |
| 5. Pitt | 3 | 2019-21 |
| 5. Louisville | 3 | 2016, 2018, 2023 |
| 5. Syracuse | 3 | 2015, 2022-23 |
- Junior Basit Umar logged the first shot of the afternoon in the third minute, as a line-breaking pass from sophomore Jose Perez found Umar along for an attempt that was saved.
- Senior Julian Kennedy registered the second shot of the afternoon in the 15th minute, but was off target.
- Graduate Prince Amponsah had an incredible individual effort to prevent a potential 20th-minute SMU goal, stepping in front of a Mustang who was alone to block his attempt.
- Travis Smith Jr. continued the Deacs' methodical push on the Mustangs' goal, as he dribbled through the middle of the SMU formation for a 23rd-minute attempt.
- The Demon Deacon backline held strong in the first half, allowing just two SMU shots with neither testing senior Trace Alphin.
- Alphin registered his first save of the contest in the 49th minute, hauling in a second effort from an SMU corner kick.
- Freshman Joel Torbic nearly got his first career goal in the 51st minute, finding space between SMU's midfielders and backs to register a first-timer that was saved.
- SMU took a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute before doubling its lead seven minutes later.
- In the 78th minute, Flax got a goal back with a beautifully-taken free kick from about 25 yards out.
- It marked his team-best sixth goal of the season and his second-consecutive game with a goal.
- A minute later, Krueger came up with a huge blocked shot in the box to keep it a one-goal game.
- Wake Forest leveled the match in the 81st minute after a good ball in from Mancilla was deflected up into the path of Belal, who fired it past the keeper on the volley.
- It marked Belal's third goal for the Deacs and his first since the 2-0 win over Boston College on Oct. 5.
- Flax came inches from a winner in the 89th minute as he received the ball from Borso on the edge of the box and cut inside on his right before forcing the keeper into a diving save.
- With under 15 seconds to go, SMU fired a long throw into the box that was flicked on to the far post, but Cummins came up with a huge headed clearance as the match remained 2-2 after 90 minutes.
- Perez logged the only shot of the first overtime period for Wake Forest with a shot from distance that sailed just a few inches over the post.
- The Deacs had one final chance to win it in the 108th minute, as White played a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but nobody was able to get a foot on it.
- After 110 minutes, the match stayed 2-2 and would be settled in penalty kicks.
- Flax buried his first attempt and SMU's first player sailed his over the bar.
- Belal and Umar both slotted their penalties home, but so did the Mustangs as it was 3-2 Wake Forest after three rounds.
- Both teams converted in the fourth round, with Perez doing the honors for the Deacs.
- Wake Forest secured its place in the semifinals as Mason Sullivan rocketed a powerful shot down the middle and SMU's attempt went wide left.
- Graduate Prince Amponsah earned his 79th career start, tied for the 11th-most in program history alongside Craig Johnson (1988-91), Brock Hilpert (1997-00) and James Riley (2001-04).
- Senior Trace Alphin earned his 73rd career start, tied for the 28th-most in program history alongside Scott Sealy (2001-04).
- Junior Cooper Flax earned his 45th career start.
- Sophomore Jose Perez made his 30th career appearance.
- Freshman Amoni Thomas made his 15th career appearance.
- The six draws this season are most in program history in a single season, surpassing the five ties previously set during the 2023, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 1999 seasons.
"Super proud of the resilience this group continues to show. There have been a lot of doubters of this team, but they have battled and keep battling through all the adversity we have gone through this season. To be down 2-0 and comeback in this conference is a testament to the guys' grit and their desire to get better and win the jersey."
Up Next
Wake Forest will turn its attention to ACC Tournament semifinals action on Thursday evening, facing the team that advances from tonight's matchup between No. 9 seeded Virginia and No. 1 seeded Pitt.
The match will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14 at either 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
Team Stats
WF
SMU
Goals
2
2
Shots
13
9
Shots on Goal
7
3
Saves
1
5
Corners
6
3
Fouls
14
14
Scoring Plays
Bailey Sparks (8)
Assisted By: Jaylinn Mitchell
GOAL by SMU Sparks, Bailey Assist by Mitchell, Jaylinn.
59:14
Jaylinn Mitchell (3)
Assisted By: Enzo Panozzo
GOAL by SMU Mitchell, Jaylinn Assist by Panozzo, Enzo.
66:38
Cooper Flax (6)
GOAL by WF Flax, Cooper.
77:22
Ryan Belal (3)
GOAL by WF Belal, Ryan.
80:25
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's SoccerForward
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Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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