WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Wake Forest men’s soccer team (13-4-0, 5-3-0 ACC) secured a first round bye in the 2022 ACC Tournament as the Demon Deacons defeated No. 9 Louisville (9-4-3, 4-2-1 ACC) by a final of 3-0 on Friday night at Spry Stadium.
After the team engaged in an energetic 0-0 battle through the first 45 minutes of action, the Deacs logged three second half goals from sophomores Baba Niang (60th minute), Roald Mitchell (67th minute) and Leo Guarino (78th minute).
Defensively, Wake Forest recorded its seventh clean sheet of the regular season and the third against an ACC foe.
Prior to the match, the program honored this year’s senior class of Sebastian Scrivner, David Wrona, Cole McNally, Takuma Suzuki and Omar Hernandez. Together, the group has earned 55 victories over the last four years, highlighted by a trip to the 2019 College Cup.
Wake Forest will now turn its attention to postseason play and the ACC Tournament, as the Demon Deacons will await the winner of a first round matchup between Virginia Tech and Louisville.
That contest will be played next Sunday at 2 p.m. at Spry Stadium and be televised on ACC Network.
How It Happened
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Sophomore Baba Niang threatened for the Deacs in the sixth minute, streaking down the middle of the field before his shot went wide of the frame.
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Junior Prince Amponsah came up with a big defensive performance in the 16th minute with a block off of a Louisville corner kick.
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After Louisville was called for a handball outside of the 18-yard box in the 19th minute, sophomore Ryan Fessler attempted a direct free kick for Wake Forest that went over the crossbar.
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A 26th-minute breakthrough of the Cardinal backline saw sophomore Roald Mitchell get one-on-one with Louisville goalkeeper Ryan Troutman.
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Sophomore Trace Alphin recorded back-to-back saves in the 28th minute.
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Wake Forest created two chances inside the 18 in the 30th minute, first with a shot from freshman Cooper Flax that was blocked before Niang lifted a second try over the crossbar.
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The Demon Deacons finished the first with a 51-49 percent advantage in possession and outshot the Cardinals 9-6.
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Niang would get his fifth shot of the night and the Deacs’ first of the second…
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