Sept. 8, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - In the team's home opener, the 13th-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer defeated UNC Greensboro 2-1 on Friday night at Spry Stadium. Senior Ben Stafford scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute on a thru-ball from Jaron Barbee. Stafford has scored in the each of the team's first three contests, a total of four goals.

The Deacons improve to 2-1 on the season with the win while the Spartans drop to 1-2. Wake Forest got on the board first in the 32nd minute with sophomore Aaron Thomas' second goal of the season. Freshman Brian Carroll lined a corner kick into the box and Thomas deflected the ball into the back of the cage. After an evenly played first half, the Deacs went to the lockerroom with a 1-0 lead.

Less than five minutes into the second half, the Spartans' Alejandro Moreno controlled a loose ball in the box after a UNC Greensboro corner kick. The game was tied at one. That set the stage for Stafford whose fourth goal in the young season came at 69:54. Senior Jaron Barbee touched a thru-ball to Stafford who took the ball at the top of the circle. Stafford's shot went over the outstretched arms of Spartan goalkeeper Greg Raber.

Barbee continues to thrive in a reserve role. He came off the bench tonight, recorded two shots and the assist on Stafford's gamewinner. In 1999, Barbee was the teamâs third leading scorer despite starting just one game.

"We'd like to come out sharper than we did tonight. We didn't play a great 90 minutes of soccer, but we came out on top at the end," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "Ben keeps coming through for us when we need him."

Senior Rob Vartughian played the full 90 minutes in goal for Wake Forest. He made five saves in the winning effort.

An overflow crowd of 3,088 fans watched the Deacs improve their all-time record in season openers to 19-1-1. In addition, the Deacs are unbeaten in home openers since Jay Vidovich became the team's head coach in 1994.

Wake Forest hits the road on Tuesday with hopes of extinguishing the Liberty Flames. The Deacs begin conference play in their next game at home when Virginia at Spry Stadium on September 16.

UNC Greensboro 0 1 - 1

#13 Wake Forest 1 1 - 2

Scoring: WF Thomas 2 (Carroll) 31:54; UNCG Moreno 2 (Craven) 49:49; WF Stafford 4 (Barbee) 69:54;
Shots: WF 12, UNCG 11. Saves: WF 5 (Vartughian); UNCG 2 (Raber 2, Crump 0);
Corner Kicks: WF 10, UNCG 5.
Fouls: WF 17, UNCG 12.
Attendance: 3,088.