No. 15 Wake Forest Falls to VCU 2-1 in Season Opener

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest men's soccer team fell in its opening match of the season on Thursday night, as the No. 15 Demon Deacons lost to the VCU Rams at Spry Stadium.

Wake Forest (0-1-0) opened the scoring early in the first half, as sophomore Jose Perez placed a free kick into the top left corner of the goal to give the Demon Deacons the lead in the 14th minute. However, VCU would score four minutes later in the 25th minute to equalize, before sealing the game with a goal in the 83rd minute.

The Demon Deacons and Rams both had nine shots on the game, but the Rams held a 5-2 shots on goal advantage.

Senior goalkeeper Trace Alphin came up with three crucial saves in the game to keep the score tied at one throughout most of the match, including a diving save to his left off of a dangerous Rams free kick.

Six players made their Demon Deacon debut, with Dylan Borso, Pariss Mitchell, Amoni Thomas, Will Jackson, Ryan Balal, and Joel Torbic all playing valuable minutes for the Deacs. Freshman Dylan Borso also earned his first career start for Wake Forest.

The result brings an end to an 18-home match unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents in regular season action, dating back to a 4-0 victory over William & Mary on Oct. 5, 2021.

How It Happened

VCU started out on the front foot, as senior goalkeeper Trace Alphin was forced to make a save on a shot from outside the box in the 14th minute.
Sophomore Jose Perez rifled a free kick into the top left corner as the Demon Deacons struck first in the 21st minute.
The Rams equalized four minutes later to make the game 1-1.
Freshman Amoni Thomas entered for Borso for his collegiate debut in the 29th minute.
Sophomore Jeffrey White came close to breaking the deadlock as his shot came inches away from the far post in the 43rd minute.
Freshmen duo Ryan Belal and Will Jackson started the second half for their first collegiate appearances.
Alphin made another critical save on a dangerous Ram free kick in the 54th minute.
Alphin was forced into action again, saving a tough angle shot in the 56th minute.
In the 78th minute, freshman Dylan Borso struck a powerful shot from outside the box to test the VCU goalkeeper.
Wake Forest continued to pour on the pressure towards the end of the second half as junior Vald Walent put his shot just over the bar in the 82nd minute.
VCU took the lead in the 83rd minute to make the score 2-1.
In the 86th minute, freshman Joel Torbic became the sixth Demon Deacon to make his collegiate debut Thursday evening.
The Demon Deacons were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position in the final minute of the game, but were unable to take advantage.

Demon Deacon Details of Note

Senior Trace Alphin earned his 55th career start.
Senior Price Amponsah appeared in his 70th career match.
Junior Vlad Walent appeared in his 40th career match.
Junior Cooper Flax appeared in his 35th career match.
Freshman Dylan Borso earned his first career start.
Sophomore Jose Perez earned his first career start.
Senior Julian Kennedy earned his first career start.
Redshirt junior Ryan Fessler made his first appearance for the Demon Deacons since Nov. 17, 2022.
Six Demon Deacons made their debuts: Dylan Borso, Pariss Mitchell, Amoni Thomas, Will Jackson, Ryan Belal, and Joel Torbic.

From Coach Muuss
"I thought it was overall from start to finish a sloppy performance. I thought our young guys outperformed some of the older ones. We had to go deep into the bench with injuries going into the game and during the game. We let up. They were a good team, but we gave a goal away when we were up a goal and we had just started getting momentum. Momentum changed the other way. I thought we were pretty good in the second half, just not generating quality goal-scoring chances, and they finished their chances. We didn't. Probably wasn't the most exciting attacking soccer game for either side, but give VCU credit. They were organized defensively, and we didn't find a way to break it down."

Up Next
Wake Forest will conclude the opening weekend of the 2024 season hosting Central Arkansas in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

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

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Team Stats

Jose Perez

Dylan Borso

Pariss Mitchell

Jeffrey White

Players Mentioned

Trace Alphin

Ryan Belal

Dylan Borso

Ryan Fessler

Cooper Flax

Will Jackson

Julian Kennedy

Pariss Mitchell

Jose Perez

Amoni Thomas

Joel Torbic

Vlad Walent

Jeffrey White

Wake Forest Athletics