Wake Forest Athletics
Baba Niang Named to 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List
8/14/2024 12:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer
A 2023 All-ACC selection, Niang has been a driving force for Wake Forest’s attack in his three seasons to date with the Demon Deacons.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Wake Forest men's soccer senior Babacar Niang has been selected to the 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List, as announced by the league on Wednesday.
Entering the 2024 season, Niang has appeared in 38 matches with 19 starts for the Demon Deacons, recording 19 points from seven goals and five assists.
Last year, Niang tallied three assists and two goals to help lead Wake Forest to a fifth ACC Atlantic Division title in nine seasons and secure an ACC-best 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
In a season-opening victory against Grand Canyon, Niang registered the game-winning strike in a 3-1 victory and added a goal for the Deacs in a 1-1 draw with Cal to close out the opening weekend. He also recorded assists in back-to-back victories over Wofford and North Carolina and an additional assist in a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame.
As a sophomore in 2022, Niang earned an All-ACC third-team selection, as he appeared in 18 matches with 13 starts to collect four goals and two assists.
In his debut season in 2021, the Dakar, Senegal, native scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Syracuse in the regular season finale.
Over his first three seasons in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest is 8-1-2 when Niang records a goal contribution with four of those victories coming against ACC opponents. He also has a game-winning goal every season.
Niang has also excelled in the classroom, as the Communication major is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection and twice earned All-ACC Academic Team honors. Additionally, his servant leadership in the community earned him the 2023-24 ACC Top Six for Service honor.
Niang's Career Honors
Entering the 2024 season, Niang has appeared in 38 matches with 19 starts for the Demon Deacons, recording 19 points from seven goals and five assists.
Last year, Niang tallied three assists and two goals to help lead Wake Forest to a fifth ACC Atlantic Division title in nine seasons and secure an ACC-best 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
In a season-opening victory against Grand Canyon, Niang registered the game-winning strike in a 3-1 victory and added a goal for the Deacs in a 1-1 draw with Cal to close out the opening weekend. He also recorded assists in back-to-back victories over Wofford and North Carolina and an additional assist in a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame.
As a sophomore in 2022, Niang earned an All-ACC third-team selection, as he appeared in 18 matches with 13 starts to collect four goals and two assists.
In his debut season in 2021, the Dakar, Senegal, native scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Syracuse in the regular season finale.
Over his first three seasons in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest is 8-1-2 when Niang records a goal contribution with four of those victories coming against ACC opponents. He also has a game-winning goal every season.
Niang has also excelled in the classroom, as the Communication major is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection and twice earned All-ACC Academic Team honors. Additionally, his servant leadership in the community earned him the 2023-24 ACC Top Six for Service honor.
Niang's Career Honors
- 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List
- 2023-24 ACC Academic Honor Roll
- 2023-24 ACC Top Six For Service
- 2023 All-ACC Academic Team Selection
- 2022-23 ACC Academic Honor Roll
- 2022 All-ACC Academic Team Selection
- 2022 All-ACC Third-Team Selection
- 2021-22 ACC Academic Honor Roll
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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