Oct. 27, 2001

Final Stats

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The 21st-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team defeated sixth-ranked North Carolina 4-2 on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd on Homecoming at Spry Stadium. The Deacons (11-3-1, 2-1-1 ACC) extend their winning streak to seven games and snap North Carolina's (13-3, 3-2 ACC) string of nine straight victories.

The ACC's leading scorer Jeremiah White tallied a goal and dished out two assists, both to freshman Scott Sealy to lead Wake Forest's offense. Aaron Thomas' goal in the 63rd minute proved to be the game-winner.

"Our guys were ready to play. We had a lot of former players in town, we had a big crowd in the stands and most of all, we were excited to play," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "Getting off to a good start was important but we maintained that intensity and that tenacity for a full 90 minutes."

Although North Carolina had not yielded a goal in five games, the Wake Forest offense, which had been on fire over the last three weeks, continued to roll. Less than ten minutes into the game, the Deacons got on the board with White's 12th of the season with assists to Vicente Bastidas and Christian Lonteen. Sealy added to the lead in the 25th minute on a diving header in the penalty area on White's cross from the right wing.

The teams went to halftime with the Deacons on top 2-0.

North Carolina wouldn't go down without a fight as Ryan Kneipper scored just three minutes after halftime to slice the lead in half. The Tar Heels continued to pressure Wake Forest but the Deacons regained a two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute. After a flurry in the UNC box, Kevin Wickart lobbed a ball into the mouth of the goal. Tar Heel goalkeeper Michael Ueltschey couldn't find the handle and the ball squirted free. Vicente Bastidas' initial shot was blocked but Aaron Thomas popped in the rebound to give Wake Forest a commanding 3-1 lead.

The Tar Heels mounted one final rally as Kneipper scored his second of the night with about 16 minutes remaining. With all 11 players attacking for North Carolina in the closing minutes, the Deacons sealed the win in the final minute on a counter-attack. White broke free down the left side and found Sealy who beat a Carolina defender and the keeper to cap the scoring.

White's tally in the 10th minute marked the seventh straight game in which he had scored a goal and the 11th consecutive game with a point.

The win also continued Wake Forest's unbeaten streak to nine games.

The team's last loss came on September 23 at South Carolina.

Wake Forest had not defeated a team ranked in the top ten since upsetting Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., last season.

The Demon Deacons beat North Carolina for the first time since 1996 and for just the fourth time in school history.

Wake Forest will return to action next Saturday night against Duke at 7:00 p.m.

Scoring Summary:

                                1   2 -  F
North Carolina (13-3, 3-2 ACC)  0   2 -  2
Wake Forest (11-3-1, 2-1-1 ACC) 2   2 -  4

9:16 WFU Jeremiah White (12) (Vicente Bastidas, Christian Lonteen)
24:47 WFU Scott Sealy (7) (Jeremiah White)
47:43 UNC Ryan Kneipper (8) (David Testo)
62:44 WFU Aaron Thomas (1) (Vicente Bastidas, Kevin Wickart)
83:54 UNC Ryan Kneipper (9) (unassisted)
89:38 WFU Scott Sealy (8) (Jeremiah White)

Shots: Wake Forest 11, North Carolina 12
Saves: Wake Forest 4 (William Hesmer),
       North Carolina 2 (Michael Ueltschey)
Fouls: Wake Forest 10, North Carolina 9
Corner Kicks: Wake Forest 5, North Carolina 5
Offsides: Wake Forest 6, North Carolina 3
Cautions: Wake Forest 2 (Ryan Caugherty, Bobby Gehring), North Carolina 1 (Ryan Kneipper)
Attendance: 1819