#7 Syracuse Hosts #4 Wake Forest for Pivotal ACC Match

Game Details: Friday, October 7, Syracuse, N.Y., 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuseMSOC
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Wake Forest Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 7 ranked Syracuse men's soccer faces one of its toughest tests on Friday, Oct. 7 as No. 4 Wake Forest visits the SU Soccer Stadium for a 7 p.m. match. The Atlantic Coast Conference match will be streaming live on ACCNX. Admission to the SU Soccer Stadium is free of charge.

The Orange and Demon Deacons are tied for the lead in the ACC Atlantic Division. The last time Wake Forest visited SU Soccer was in 2018. 'Cuse pulled off an incredible 2-0 win over the then No. 1 ranked Demon Deacons.

ORANGE UPDATE:

Syracuse is the No. 7 team in the country and has a record of 8-2-1 (3-1-0 ACC). 'Cuse is off to the best start to a season since 2016. A win against No. 4 Wake Forest would be the most wins in a season since 2016 The Orange have spent three-straight weeks in the United Soccer Coaches' top 10.

The Orange enter Friday's match looking for a statement win after losing 2-1 against No. 22 Cornell. Syracuse outshot the Big Red 17-9, as Cornell scored its two goals off an Orange own goal and a successful penalty kick. Sophomore forward Nathan Opoku pulled a goal back in the 89th minute of action. 'Cuse allowed multiple goals in a match for the first time since Oct. 29, 2021.

Goalkeeper Russell Shealy earned ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors on Tuesday, Oct. 4 after his four saves and clean sheet against Virginia Tech. The Cartersville, Ga. native is tied for the conference leads in GAA (.500) and shutouts (6).

The defense remains the biggest strength for the Orange. 'Cuse is tied for the national lead in clean sheets (7), ranks second in save percentage (.878), and is fourth in the nation in goals against average (.455).

Opoku is a vital part of the Orange attack and one of the conference's leading strikers. The Accra, Ghana native is tied for second in goals with five and points with 14. He leads the team in goals and points as well.

There are currently five fall sports teams ranked on Syracuse's campus, the most teams concurrently ranked in the fall in school history. Men's cross country (No. 9), field hockey (No. 11), women's cross country (No. 15), and football (No. 22) are the other four teams ranked beside the men's soccer program.

SCOUTING THE DEMON DEACONS:

Wake Forest is 10-1-0 (3-1-0 ACC) on the season. Head coach Bobby Muuss is in his eighth season at the helm of the Demon Deacon's program. He has a 125-27-12 record and led Wake Forest to College Cup appearances in 2016 and 2019.

A lone goal from midfielder Oscar Sears propelled Wake Forest by Jacksonville in a midweek 1-0 nonconference victory. The Demon Deacons dominated possession, outshooting the visitors 13-3 on the night.

Duke handed Wake Forest its first season loss in a dramatic 3-2 match on Saturday, October 1. After a scoreless first half, the contest came to life with five second half goals. Blue Devil's midfielder Shakur Mohammed opened the scoring in the 57th minute. The Demon Deacons responded quickly, as Babacar Niang converted a penalty in the 58th minute.

The Blue Devils exploded from the 60th minute to the 70th minute, scoring twice with strikes from Jai Bean and Axel Gudbjornsson. A Wake Forest rally in the final ten minutes fell short, as Duke finished off a road upset of the Demon Deacons.

Forward Roald Mitchell leads the conference in goals with six and points with 15.

Wake Forest is tied for the national lead in goals scored with 31. They lead the conference in goal difference with a +22-goal margin.

THE SERIES:

Friday night's match is the 10th meeting between Syracuse and Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons lead the all-time series, 5-2-2.

The last meeting went in 2021 was won by Wake Forest. Syracuse outshot the hosts 15-9, but the Orange could not find the back of the net. Babacar Niang scored in the first half, while Kyle Holcomb struck in the opening stages of the second half. Demon Deacon's keeper Alphin Trace recorded eight saves on the night.

UP NEXT:

Syracuse concludes its three-match homestand on Monday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. with a game against Loyola. The contest is streaming live on ACCNX and admission is free of charge.

#7 Syracuse Hosts #4 Wake Forest for Pivotal ACC Match

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Players Mentioned

Nathan Opoku

Russell Shealy

Syracuse University Athletics