WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - FDU men's soccer (2-3-1) gave the No. 2 team in the nation, Wake Forest (6-0-0, 1-0-0 ACC), a remarkable battle Tuesday as the home side bested the Knights 3-2. FDU's two goals in the match were the most allowed by the Deacs in a single match this season.
 

How It Happened

1st Half

• Senior midfielder Jordan Alonge got off to a racing start with a half-field blast in the 2' which fell on-target in the top right corner of the goal, though it was saved by the Wake Forest keeper, Trace Alphin. Alonge would finish the fixture with two shots and an assist.
• After a series of attacking opportunities for the home side at Spry Stadium off free kick set pieces, Wake Forest was able to break open the tally in the 17' with a goal off the boot of Roald Mitchell. The score wouldn't be the last of his heroics for the Demon Deacons.
• Under five minutes later, graduate student Joshua Ferreira placed his first goal of the year in a one-v-one battle to even the score at one all with Alonge earning a point by way of the assist, his first of the young campaign.
• Tied at one, FDU held their defensive shape while Wake's attack woke up and continued to get shots which couldn't penetrate FDU's back four.
• With FDU getting on the board in the first 45' it also marked the first time in 2022 Wake Forest was tied with each team scoring at the halftime whistle.

2nd Half

• Sticking with his first half starters to continue applying pressure to Wake, FDU's defense stepped up to the plate, holding the Deacs to just five percent possession in their attacking third in the final period.
• Oscar Sears belted the first shot of the half in the 62', followed by a go-ahead goal from Mitchell, a brace in the match, to put the home club up 2-1.
• With a corner kick coming at the top left flag, sophomore Kevin Leonhard's service found junior defender Hugo Bacharach inside the box for a beautiful header - an equalizer to tie the score at 2-2. The header was Bacharach's second in three contests with the first coming at UMBC last weekend with service off the boot of fellow junior and Spain native Tony Gomez.
• The game-winner would come in the 74' as Cooper Flax scored, though FDU would continue battling through the remainder of the match.

 

Of Note

• On this date seven years ago (9/13/2015), FDU defeated then-No. 21 American 4-3 in double overtime
• No. 2 Wake Forest was the highest-ranked opponent faced by the Knights in program history

Quotable

"Look, we enter every game with the intent of winning," said Roland. "They [Wake Forest], are the best team we've played against since 2001 North Carolina team that eliminated us in the Elite Eight. This is why we scheduled the game; to challenge ourselves. Good players want to play in good games against good teams and I think it was a great experience."

On FDU's offensive and Bacharach: "We have some guys who can be handful going forward for any team to contain as we showed tonight. On the counter we gave them a few problems dealing with us. Hugo is an experienced, savvy, talented soccer player and he's very good defending and on set pieces. It was exciting when he went up above all of them and tied the game with the header."

On three-time NEC Prime Performer Spencer King's performance: "Spencer was outstanding tonight; solid, confident, strong. He commanded his area in the air and his maturity and presence is important for us."

On the team mentality keeping energy high: "It's a team game - a team sport - and whether guys made the trip or didn't, they're all part of the team and the program. Having everyone that was here engaged brought a lot of energy."
 

The Road Ahead

Roland's Knights hit the road for two more non-conference fixtures before beginning Northeast Conference play at Sacred Heart on Sept. 25. FDU heads to Penn on Sunday, September 18 and Manhattan on Wednesday, September 21.

Connect with FDU men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMSOC.