Oct. 1, 2000

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--Ben Stafford's overtime winner in the 99th minute gave Wake Forest a stunning, come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win against Maryland on Sunday afternoon at Spry Stadium. The Deacons up their record to 5-3-1 on the year and 1-1 in the ACC. The Terrapins drop to 4-5 and 1-2.

The goal was Stafford's second of the game, third of the week and third gamewinner on the season. Stafford took a pass outside the top of the box from Matt Thompson then blasted a right-footer just beyond the grasp of Maryland keeper Christian Lewis into the lower left corner.

Wake Forest faced an uphill battle after 45 minutes, trailing 2-0, its largest halftime deficit of the season. Maryland struck twice within three minutes with goals by Tyler Pharr and Jason Sardis.

The Deacons came storming back in the second half with three goals, their largest offensive output in a half this year. The scoring started in the 60th minute on Stafford's first of the day. Freshman Brian Carroll fired a corner kick into the box that bounced around before Stafford drilled the ball past Lewis.

Seven minutes later, Wake Forest attacked on the left side and Stafford crossed the ball intending to find a Deacon player in the penalty area. A Terrapin defender attempted to clear the ball over the net but instead popped the ball into his own goal, making it a 2-2 game.

With all the momentum, the Deacons maintained pressure in the offensive end and it paid off at the 69:19 mark. Redshirt freshman Kevin Wickart, playing in his first game in a month due to injury, unleashed a rocket >from 12 yards that deflected off a Maryland defender. The shot still found the back of the net and Wake Forest took a 3-2 lead with just over 20 minutes to play.

The Terrapins weren't finished, however, as Philip Salyer tallied the equalizer in the 76th minute. Salyer and Maryland's Bryan Vitagliano came down the right side on an attack. Vitagliano's shot was saved by Wake Forest goalkeeper Rob Vartughian, but Salyer was there to score off the rebound. That goal forced the overtime, the fourth such contest for Wake Forest this season.

"At halftime, there wasn't any sense of panic. We've been in this situation before as recently as last week versus South Carolina," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "I knew we'd continue to work hard and I just told the guys to keep doing the things that make us successful and that it would pay off."

The Deacons are 2-1-1 in overtime games. Stafford has both golden goals for Wake Forest this year and 13 career game-winners. The overtime winner gives Stafford 72 points in his career, moving him into second place all-time in Wake Forest history. He passes former Deacon star and MLS player Raimo deVries. Stafford is also tied with deVries for second place all-time in goals with 28. Stafford's eight goals equal his 1999 team-leading total.

Wake Forest is idle until next Sunday when the team travels to Raleigh for a 2:00 tilt with NC State.