Sept. 27, 2002

Final Stats

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The third-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team shutout fourth-ranked Maryland 3-0 on Friday night at Spry Stadium. For the Demon Deacons and goalkeeper William Hesmer, it was the third shutout in team's last four games.

The three-goal margin was the most lopsided victory for Wake Forest in the series history which is now even at 11-11-3. With the win, Wake Forest improves to 6-0-2 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, in sole possession of first place for the time being.

The Deacons opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Wake Forest's heralded freshman duo of Ryan Alexander and Justin Moose connected. The two trapped a Terrapin defender deep in his own end. When Moose stripped the ball away, he flicked it to Alexander who beat a defender and the goalkeeper. Alexander tucked it into the near post, giving Wake Forest the lead.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half and the ball in the Wake Forest end, the skies opened with a torrential downpour. The Deacons took the ball away, scurrying toward the Maryland goal. With just six seconds left, James Riley was tripped in the penalty area by Maryland's Seth Stammler. Stammler was booked with a yellow card for the foul and the Deacons were awarded a penalty kick. In the pouring rain, Jeremiah White made no mistake, firing the ball past Terrpain goalkeeper Noah Palmer for a two-goal lead.

The rain let up after halftime but Wake Forest didn't. In the 58th minute, senior Adam Hakes took a pass from James Riley and fired a laser from the top of the 18-yard box. For Hakes, who missed the 2001 season with injury, it was his first goal since September 2000.

The Deacons controlled the play throughout the game but goalkeeper William Hesmer was called upon to make a number of saves. He finished the night with six, all in the second half as the Terrapins forced the action. Wake Forest outshot Maryland 13-9 for the game.

It was Wake Forest's first win over an opponent ranked as high as number since since the Deacons defeated second-ranked Connecticut during the 2000 season.

Maryland came into the game as the ACC's top scoring team averaging almost 3.5 goals per game. Tonight, they could get nothing behind Hesmer and the Deacon defense. Wake Forest, statistically the ACC's best defense, has allowed just five goals in eight games.

Wake Forest wraps up its three-game homestand on Wednesday against William & Mary. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.

                              1 2 - F
#4  Maryland (8-2, 2-1)       0 0 - 0
#3  Wake Forest (6-0-2, 2-0)  2 1 - 3

WFU 35:09 Ryan Alexander (3) (Justin Moose)
WFU 44:54 Jeremiah White (2) (penalty kick)
WFU 57:42 Adam Hakes (1) (James Riley)

Shots: WF 13, MD 9
Saves: WF 6 (Hesmer), MD 5 (Palmer)
Corner Kicks: WF 3, MD 6
Fouls: WF 10, MD 5
Cautions: WF 1 (Hakes), MD 2 (Stammler, Goodson)
Attendance:  1588
Weather: 74 degrees, wet field, periodic showers