College Sports
Email
Print
Deacs top Blue Devils and gain No. 1 seed
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: November 7, 2009
With a charged-up crowd of more than 3,000 at Spry Stadium, the Wake Forest men's soccer team lit up Duke 3-0 last night.
The victory gave the Deacons a share of the ACC regular-season title with North Carolina, but because the Deacons scored more goals in conference play, they will receive the No. 1 seed for next week's ACC Tournament in Cary. The win also was a salute to a class of six seniors, who improved its four-year record to 74-10-9, the best winning percentage for a senior class in school history.
"It's always exciting to have Spry rocking," Coach Jay Vidovich of the Deacons said.
The Deacons (13-3-2) ended a five-game winning streak for the Blue Devils (12-5).
After freshman Andy Lubahn scored in the 14th minute it loosened the Deacons up and they continued to apply the pressure.
The Deacons won or shared their sixth regular-season title in Vidovich's 16 seasons, and it was their third in the past four years.
"With the number of players that we lost (from last season) this team has grown up to be a good team and have found ways to win," Vidovich said. "They just keep getting better, and I'm very proud of their performance."
Lubahn scored his seventh goal of the season, taking a crossing pass from Justin Lichtfuss. Making the initial pass from near midfield was defender Ike Opara, who found Lichtfuss down the right side.
Lichtfuss made the quick crossing pass to Lubahn, who easily beat goalie James Belshaw.
"Both teams were playing tight early, but then (Lichtfuss) gave me a great ball and I was able to finish," Lubahn said.
Despite all the success the Deacons have enjoyed in recent years (three straight College Cups and a national championship in 2007) Vidovich got his young team to play with a chip on its shoulder. It was picked fourth in the preseason ACC coaches poll.
"After the game Coach just said he was proud of us for proving the critics wrong," Lubahn said. "And to prove we are Wake Forest, so it feels good."
The Deacons made it 2-0 early in the second half when Zack Schilawski scored his 37th career goal, third best in school history, as he followed his own shot that hit off the post. The initial pass was made by Sam Redmond.
Luke Norman, who didn't start, played the best second half of his career, according to Vidovich.
"For Sam I think it was one of his better performances in fulfilling his role," Vidovich said. "I thought he did a very good job in taking a strong player like Cole Grossman out of his game."
jdell@wsjournal.com. | 727-4081
Email
Print
