Wake Forest continued its drive toward a fourth straight College Cup with a 2-1 win over UNC Wilmington yesterday in the second round of the NCAA men's soccer tournament.
The Deacons (15-3-3) used constant pressure to create scoring chances and take early control of the match at Spry Stadium. Austin da Luz finally broke through for the Deacons, curling in a left-footed shot from about 12 yards at 34:19 and leaving keeper Brock Duckworth grasping for air.
"He put a lot of whip on that," Duckworth said, referring to the spin da Luz had on the ball.
At least four Deacons touched the ball in a mad scramble, and Zack Schilawski dug it out while on the ground to get credit for the assist.
"Austin's goal was a fantastic goal," Coach Jay Vidovich said. "Not only did we build it, but that's a special play with not only how Austin finished, but the way Zack Schilawski kept the ball alive in that space to where it was played."
The Deacons used strong midfield play, led by sophomore Luke Norman, to keep pressure on with the lead. They reached halftime ahead 1-0, then made it 2-0 at 75:34, scoring off a corner kick. Corben Bone put a perfect pass just out of Duckworth's reach, and freshman defender Anthony Arena headed it in from close range. It was Arena's third goal this season, all of them on corner kicks and all three game-winners.
The Seahawks (14-3-5) made the tournament for the first time in the program's 44-year history, and they tied the school record for wins. The Deacons, however, snapped their 14-match unbeaten streak.
UNCW cut the margin to 2-1 with five minutes to play when Shawn Guderian got behind the defense and scored on keeper Akira Fitzgerald. Daniel Roberts' pass set up the goal.
Coach Aidan Heaney, who doesn't have a fully-funded program of scholarships, said he didn't allow his team to get caught up with the Deacons' tradition.
"We came in here looking for a result," he said. "And our guys weren't going to quit."
However, UNCW had no other solid scoring chances after the goal.
The Deacons, NCAA champions in 2007, are hoping for another run to the College Cup, soccer's final four. Those matches will be in Cary next month.
"I don't see anybody in the country being that much better than us," da Luz said. "We've got the experience in the NCAA Tournament, and that showed tonight. We're ready to make it a long season."
Wake Forest will be at home again for the third round and will play Duke at 5 p.m. next Sunday. The Blue Devils advanced with a 2-1 win over Michigan State yesterday.
jdell@wsjournal.com.
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