No. 4 Wake Forest Comes Up Short in First Road Loss of 2022 Season

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The No. 4 ranked Wake Forest men’s soccer team (11-2-0, 3-2-0 ACC) dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 7 Syracuse (9-2-1, 4-1-0 ACC) on Friday night at SU Soccer Stadium. 

Wake Forest fell behind in the 13th minute after surrendering a penalty kick goal before the Orange doubled the lead in the 24th minute. 

The matchup marked the Demon Deacons’ first appearance at Syracuse since the 2018 season. 

Wake Forest will next travel to Williamsburg, Va., for a Tuesday night contest at William & Mary.

Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the match will be streamed on FloFC.  

How It Happened 

• After early back and forth action at both ends of the pitch, sophomore Trace Alphin made a save on the first shot of the match in the ninth minute. 

• Junior Garrison Tubbs also made a goal-saving move off the line shortly after Alphin’s save. 

• Syracuse would take a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute off a successful penalty kick attempt by the Orange. 

• Sophomore Roald Mitchell nearly got the Deacs back level in the 20th minute, but his shot over Orange goalkeeper Russell Shealy was off target. 

• Mitchell would then have a shot saved in the 23rd minute as Wake Forest continued to push for an equalizer. 

• Syracuse, however, would take a 2-0 lead in the 24th minute off an own goal. 

• Wake Forest would finish the first half with five shots. 

• Wake Forest created an opportunity for itself in the 60th minute, but a shot from Mitchell was saved inside the box. 

• Sophomore Ryan Fessler took a free kick in a dangerous spot outside of the 18-yard box in the 65th minute, but it was saved.  

• The Deacs were still in search of a goal when senior David Wrona had a shot attempt blocked in the 83rd minute. 

Demon Deacon Details of Note

• Was Wake Forest’s first appearance at SU Soccer Stadium since Oct. 15, 2018. Three of the Deacs’ four appearances have come against a top-10 ranked Syracuse squad (No. 7 in 2022, No. 6 in 2016 and No. 4 in 2014). 

• Redshirt sophomore Cristian Escribano earned his 25th career start. 

• Sophomore Ryan Fessler earned his 10th career start.

• Senior Takuma Suzuki made his 55th career appearance. 

• Junior Prince Amponsah made his 45th career appearance. 

• Sophomore Leo Guarino made his 25th career…