WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – It was all quiet through 45 minutes before the Wake Forest men’s soccer team exploded for four second half scores to put away visiting Davidson 4-1 on Wednesday, September 28 at Spry Stadium.

The Demon Deacons wore special neon yellow shoelaces in support of the Go4theGoal Foundation and its mission to support children who have battled cancer, and came away with an inspired performance on the pitch.

Juniors Ben Newnam, Andy Lubahn and Danny Wenzel, as well as sophomore Luca Gimenez all tallied for the Deacs in the squad’s biggest offensive outburst of the season. Freshman Teddy Mullin recorded his team-high third assist and Lubahn, who had a pair of assists, led the way with a four point night – coming off the bench for the first time in his collegiate career. Newnam also added an assist to go along with his squad-leading third goal.

Davidson, which had previously shut out five-of-eight opponents on the season, packed tight on the Deacs early in the first half and limited the team to just five attempts as the sides went into the locker room all square at nil.

After just four minutes of play in the second half, however, it was apparent that Wake was intent on picking up the pace. Davidson applied some early pressure, getting off a shot and a corner kick before the Deacs launched a counterattack off a long throw by goalkeeper Michael Lisch. The junior’s pass found freshman Teddy Mullin around the midline, who placed a through ball to Lubahn for a cross. Newnam, who was trailing on the play, connected from the center of the box to the near post.  

In the 63rd minute, Wake got the eventual game-winner from Gimenez for the second straight match after the forward lofted a ball over Davidson’s Chip Sanders on an accurate pass from Lubahn. The strike gave the Deacs a 2-0 cushion for the first time all season.

Finally, with some leeway, the Deacs continued to mount pressure and again broke through in the 68th minute on a close range rocket from Lubahn – assisted by Newnam.

Gimenez was then fouled in the box in the 84^th minute, producing a penalty kick opportunity for the Deacs. Wenzel lined up a shot and went right over the top of Davidson’s substitute in goal, Ben Gold,  to make it a 4-0 advantage for Wake.

The Wildcats would dent the net with ten seconds remaining in the match on a quick counter, taking away the shutout but the Deacs still ran away with a 14th consecutive win over Davidson going back to October 2, 1998.

Wake Forest also improved to 4-4-1 on the season heading into another critical ACC match on Saturday, Oct. 1 against Virginia Tech. Saturday's match against the Hokies also carries special significance, as it will be the fourth annual Genna Wiley Memorial Match to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium.   

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