Virginia Battles No. 15 Wake Forest in Friday Road Tilt

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Sept. 12, 2013

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team continues its tough early schedule with a Friday night road match at No. 15 Wake Forest. Game time is 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium. The Demon Deacons (2-1, 1-0 ACC) are the fourth straight presently-ranked team that the Cavaliers (1-2, 0-1) will match up with to start the season.

Broadcast Information
VirginiaSports.com will have a link to the Wake Forest video broadcast; a subscription fee is required to view the feed. Live statistics (GameTracker) also can be found on VirginiaSports.com, as well the new Virginia Sports app, which is available free of charge through iTunes.

Virginia-Wake Forest Series
Virginia holds a 35-9-7 advantage in its series with Wake Forest. The teams met twice last year; Wake scored a 4-1 win on Oct. 12 in Charlottesville and the teams played to a 2-2 draw on Nov. 6 in Winston-Salem in the ACC tournament, with UVa advancing 5-3 on penalties.

Last Five Meetings
11/6/12 – Virginia 2, @Wake 2 (2OT) – ACC Quarterfinals (UVa advanced on PKs)
10/12/12 – Wake Forest 4, @Virginia 1
11/8/11 – @Virginia 4, Wake Forest 3 (2OT) – ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
10/14/11 – @Wake Forest 4, Virginia 3
11/10/10 – Virginia 1, Wake Forest 0 – ACC Semifinals, Cary, N.C.

Last Time Out: Clemson 2, Virginia 0
Virginia gave up a pair of first-half goals in dropping its ACC opener at Clemson, 2-0, last Friday. The Tigers racked up a 13-6 advantage in shots and dominated in the first half when they piled up an 8-1 shots advantage. The second half was primarily played in the Clemson end as the Cavaliers pressed forward.

Virginia goalkeeper Jeff Gal made five saves. Todd Wharton recorded a team-high three shots, including two on goal. UVa’s Jordan Allen hit the post with a shot in the 66th minute in one of the Cavaliers’ best scoring opportunities.

Last Meeting: Virginia 2, Wake Forest 2 (2 OT)
Virginia and Wake Forest played to a 2-2 draw in the ACC quarterfinals last season (Nov. 6) in Winston-Salem, with UVa advancing in the tournament after winning the PK shootout, 5-3.

The teams played 110 minutes of wildly entertaining soccer, with end-to-end action throughout and numerous scoring chances. They combined for 44 shots, with each taking 22. The Cavaliers’ shot total was a season high. Zach Carroll (32nd minute) and Eric Bird (55th) scored for Virginia.

UVa was 5-for-5 in penalties, with Shane Cooke burying the clincher; Wake’s Teddy Mullin was the lone Demon Deacon to miss.

Cavaliers Continue Tough Slate
Thirteen of UVa’s 17 opponents this season are currently ranked or receiving votes in the latest NSCAA poll. At No. 15 in the latest NSCAA poll, Wake Forest is the fourth straight currently-ranked team that UVa has faced, joining Louisville (16), St. John’s (12) and Clemson (20).

In addition to Wake Forest, UVa still has matches on the docket with North Carolina (2), Notre Dame (4), Maryland (18) and VCU (19). Future opponents George Mason, Syracuse, Boston College, Providence and UNC Greensboro also are receiving votes in the NSCAA poll.

Rookies See First College Action
Four Virginia freshmen have clocked their first minutes for UVa during the initial three matches of the season. Jordan Allen has started all three games on the midfield, while Riggs Lennon has earned a pair of starts while playing in all three games. Nicko Corriveau started the opener vs. Louisville and has played in each contest, while Patrick Foss has come in as a sub in all three matches.

Noting Wake Forest
After dropping their season opener to Coastal Carolina, the Demon Deacons have bounced back with consecutive wins over Monmouth and Boston College. Andy Lubahn holds the team lead with a pair of goals as well as one assist.

Cavaliers Return Home Tuesday
Virginia starts a three-match homestand Sept. 17 when it plays host to George Mason at 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium. UVa also will battle NC State (Sept. 20) and Providence (Sept. 24) as part of the home stretch.