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No. 1 Deacons to begin soccer season vs. VCU
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Coach Jay Vidovich hugs Evan Brown after the Deacons' title.
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Published: August 29, 2008
The Wake Forest men's soccer team has yet to hang its NCAA championship banner at Spry Stadium, but Coach Jay Vidovich doesn't seem to mind. "Were trying to keep it a secret," he joked.
The Deacons, defending national champions, are ranked No. 1 in several national preseason polls. They'll start their season today, meeting Virginia Commonwealth at 5 p.m. in the Carolina Nike Classic at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill.
"We're excited about the season starting, and I think the guys are ready," Vidovich said.
The Deacons were the highest-scoring team in the nation last season, finished with a school-best record of 22-2-2 and didn't lose any of their scoring punch. They also added a quality striker in freshman Luke Norman.
The Deacons won their two exhibition games, 5-1 against Wofford and 1-0 against Furman. Cody Arnoux, last year's leading scorer, scored one goal against Furman and two against Wofford. Marcus Tracy scored the other three goals against Wofford, all in the second half.
Vidovich said that the core of the team is the senior class of Tracy, Michael Lahoud, Sam Cronin, Lyle Adams, Jamie Franks and Evan Brown. And with 28 players on the roster, the quality of competition in practice has been strong, according to Vidovich.
"We had to settle who our first team and second teams were the other day through penalty kicks at the end of practice," Vidovich said. "We've had some great sessions, and we've got guys who are fighting to stay on the first team, so that competition is good for us."
The Deacons are fighting through some injuries. Austin da Luz, one the stars in last year's run to the NCAA championship, didn't play in either exhibition game because of an injury, and Vidovich said that da Luz and Adams have missed considerable practice time.
"But we are getting everybody healthy, and that's good," Vidovich said.
Wake Forest will also play Sunday in Chapel Hill, taking on Florida International at 2 p.m. The games should give Vidovich a chance to see if his team has lost any of its edge from last season.
"We have two games, and it will show us what kind of shape we are in," he said. "Our first priorities in these games, obviously, are the results, but we'll be working the guys in and out of the lineup."
Vidovich wasn't sure of his starting lineup earlier this week, but he has settled on junior Akira Fitzgerald as the goalkeeper. Fitzgerald takes over for the departed Brian Edwards, who set just about every goalkeeping record in school history and had 13 shutouts last season.
Fitzgerald played 163 minutes without allowing a goal in the two exhibitions and made two saves. He hasn't been tested much, but Vidovich likes what he has seen so far.
"He's just trying to soak it all up and gain that experience," Vidovich said. "He's a quality keeper, and he's really starting to grow as a player."
Notes: Wake Forest raised nearly $14,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure through fans' donations and jersey auctions at its exhibition with Wofford. The game was played in honor of the late Genna Wiley, the wife of former trainer Steve Wiley. She died from breast cancer days after Wake Forest won the national title…. The scoreboard at Spry Stadium, which malfunctioned during last season's playoffs, has yet to be replaced. The Deacons' first home will be at 7:30 Sept. 5 against UCLA…. Vidovich has been impressed with several of his freshmen, and Luke Norman, Danny Wenzel, Sam Redmond and Alfredo Rodriguez all saw extensive time in the exhibitions.
■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.
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