The Demon Deacon soccer team played a great game this afternoon against a very tough West Virginia side and emerged with a 3-1 victory. West Virginia, who are known for playing some of the stingiest defense in the nation, held the Deacs scoreless in the first half and even began the 2^nd half with the game’s first goal. Wake’s offense refused to be contained for much longer, breaking out for three unanswered goals for a convincing victory and advancing to face Notre Dame next Saturday evening at Spry stadium.

West Virginia’s goal came on a Andy Wright penalty kick in the 50^th minute off of what was in my opinion a questionable foul call in the box. What I saw was a pretty good acting job, but unfortunately the referee didn’t see it that way. It didn’t take the Deacs long to respond, however, as Austin “Hollywood” da Luz’s cross found the foot of Zack Schilawski who blasted it into the goal in the 56^th minute. Ten minutes later Cody Arnoux gave Wake the lead on a beautiful give and go with Corben Bone, who returned to the lineup today having not played since the ACC championship due to a hip injury. In the 87^th minute, after WVA’s Gift Maworere was ejected with his 2^nd card, Cody Arnoux sealed the game with his 2^nd goal of the day (15^th of the season) on another Austin “Hollywood” da Luz assist.

I was very impressed with the team’s play today. The first half was frustrating for everyone; the Deacs had several opportunities where it really looked like they could have and maybe even should have scored but weren’t able to either because of missed opportunities or great saves by West Virginia. Knowing the Mountaineers’ defensive prowess, I was concerned when West Virginia went up 1-0 early in the 2^nd half, but I was very proud of the resiliency of the Deacs. Corben Bone looked very good returning from injury (he said he felt fine all game, so that's a great sign) and Austin “Hollywood” da Luz and Cody Arnoux obviously played quite well with two assists and two goals respectively. Schilawiski is also much more dangerous than I previously realized, definitely right up there with Arnoux when it comes to attacking ability.

I’m excited to see what the team comes up with next Saturday night against Notre Dame. Although I know very little about the Domers, I’m certain they wouldn’t have advanced this far if they weren’t a very solid side. I expect to see a hotly contested match, but I fully expect to see the Deacs headed back to Cary the following weekend.

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Final - a beautiful 3-1 win for the Deacs. They advance to play Notre Dame next Saturday night here at Spry. I'm headed to hear what coach has to say, I'll post some final thoughts after that. Go Deacs!

3:30 - Cody Arnoux on the goal assisted by Ausitn da Luz. Great goal, should absolutely put the game out of reach. Deacs up 3-1.

5:00 - WVU's Gift Maworere just received his 2nd yellow card, resulting in a red. WVU now has a corner kick and is threatening, even though they're a man down. Nothing comes of it.

9:00 - WVU's goalie just made a great save on a Schilawski shot, and on the ensuing corner Jules Valentin's header hit the top right corner of the post. Very nearly another goal on both occasions.

15:00 - The Deacs have continued to control the game, attacking and pushing the ball upfield, not allowing WVU many offensive opportunities. I can definitely see one more goal in this game, question is which way it will go. Things definitely seem to be getting a bit more physical down there, more fouls and such. West Virginia just got another yellow card.

25:27 - Like I said, we had another one in us. Wake's Cody Arnoux makes a beatuiful shot and was assisted by Corben Bone. Beautiful pass from Corben and a great shot to the far right corner. 2-1 Deacs.

34:00 - GOALLLLL... Austin da Luz assists Zack Schilawski on a beatiful goal to even the match at 1-1. Wake had just missed a header wide left on a corner kick, and responded with a great pass and shot from close range. We got the momentum back and I can definitely see us putting another one in the goal.

40:00- Wake's Zack Shilawski was called for a foul in the box and WVU's Andy Wright drilled the penalty kick into the upper right corner to give WVU a 1-0 lead. Very frustrating considering all the opporutnities we've had. It's not fun to be down. I feel like we've still got 1 or 2 goals in us though, so we'll see what happens. We just barely missed a pretty good shot. Deacs down, 0-1.

2nd Half

Halftime - Almost another opportunity after a 2nd WVA yellow card, but nothing came of it and the half ended. I feel like the Deacs played a really solid half. Although it was frustrating not to have any of the shots go in, there were about 4 great opportunities that easily could have been even 2 goals. I never felt like WVA was really threatening, so defensively I'd say we played a very solid half as well. 2nd half could get interesting as it is starting to sprinkle and may turn into a bigger storm. Could also make it difficult for me to post since I usually have to be outside to get a connection, but I'll see what I can do.

1:30 - A beautiful cross led to a shot off the the post, and on the rebound we missed the shot high. Another great opportunity that nearly paid off.

7:30 - We just has 2 very exciting corner kicks in a row. A shot by Corben Bone on the first corner was saved and on the ensuing corner Wake had 2 shots (one looked like it was nearly in) with a great goalie save and then a team save. I don't really even know how to properly describe what I saw, but it was very exciting. Just a lot of people kicking and heading and diving in front of the goal, I really thought we would score. (Like my great soccer terminology there?)

13:00 - WVA just took their first shot, but it wasn't really much of a threat, taken from pretty deep and going way high. Wake quickly gave the ball back and gave them a corner, but GK Brian Edwards punched it out.

16:55 - Another shot for Arnoux when he got past the defense on a little break away, but WVA goalkeeper Zach Johnson made a great save.

21:00 - Cody Arnoux just got off his second shot off of a corner kick when his header missed high. His first shot was off of a corner as well. The previous WVA yellow card was apparently given because of something he said.

25:00 - West Virginia's gotten a bit more aggressive, but still hasn't taken an offical shot. The Deacs have gotten one shot off, but nothing came of it. West Virginia just got themselves a yellow card, but I couldn't see what he did to get it. I'll see if I can find out.

36:00 - Deacs have controlled possession early, playing almost exclusively on WVA's half of the field. The Mountaineers have a strong defense though, and we just got our first legitimate opportunity of hte game on a cross from the left where it looked like we had a shot in front of the net. We missed the opportunity, but are threatening again with a corner.

About a minute from kickoff, I'm here at the game and will be blogging periodically throughout. Stay tuned.

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I wouldn’t call this the best game we’ve ever played, and it may not even have been our best performance of the year, but today’s 24 point victory over USC Upstate was definitely a boost of confidence for me and I think it was a boost for the team, too.

Four players scored in double figures including James Johnson, Chas McFarland, Harvey Hale, and Ish Smith. Johnson produced his third double-double of the season by adding 11 rebounds, as well as 3 blocks and 4 steals.

I was very happy to see the team out rebound Upstate 45-29, and 8 blocks and 11 steals are also great numbers to see. I was hoping Gary Clark would show some spark in his minutes today, but unfortunately he was 0-2 from 3 and only made 1 field goal. Cam Stanley played in limited minutes and it looks like he’s just not going to be a large part of the rotation this season. Jamie Skeen and David Weaver both turned in some quality minutes today, including 7 points from Skeen and 4 from Weaver, as well as some good rebounds and blocks. While we still need a consistent shooter, we need to work on getting more assists (less than impressed by only having 10 today) and we need to hold on to the ball better (17 turnovers), I’m still satisfied with today’s performance.

After Thursday’s loss to Charlotte I was about as upset as I’ve been at Wake Forest basketball. Not only did we play poorly, but it didn’t even seem like the effort was all there. Today was much better, as after a poor start the Deacs really turned it on, finishing the last 8 minutes on a 22-6 run. For the first time this season I felt like our effort in the 2^nd half matched or exceeded that of the 1^st, which was something we’ll definitely need to see more of as the season continues.

I definitely expected to win this game, and the 24 point margin is enough to satisfy me. Hopefully this will restore the team’s confidence and they’ll continue the good play against a solid Vanderbilt team on Wednesday and Georgia over the weekend.

For those of you that care (and I know some of you do), Dino wore Wake colors today, with a black suit (maybe dark gray), a gold shirt and gold and black tie. Now you can all quit complaining.

I’ve got audio from after the game from Coach, Harvey, James, and Chas, but right now I don’t have time to go through it all and type up quotes or just post the audio. I’m headed out of town tonight, but will be back to live blog the soccer game again tomorrow afternoon and hopefully will get some of these quotes up as well.

That being said, although I’m not going to go through and get the exact quotes, I’ll bullet point some of what was said real quick.

Dino:
-Happy with the effort, happy with James Johnson.
-Knows some guys are lacking confidence but believes it will keep coming back. Nonetheless, the missed open shots are frustrating. Just telling the guys to play through and hopefully it will come around.

Harvey:
-Felt good about the team’s defensive play today, bouncing back.
-Always feel comfortable shooting, and coach has told him to keep shooting when he’s got the open shots. The team supports him in that and he is confident that it will come around soon.
-Team had a mindset going into the 2^nd half that they had to keep playing defense and working hard so that they wouldn’t be outscored again
-Team is excited to go play Vandy and Georgia, feels their best game is still ahead of them

James
-played better defense, but wanted to get them under %30 shooting, only got it down to %32
-Makes sure to do what he’s supposed to do – work hard and play his best every game.
-I’ll quote this – “I’ll play wherever I’m need to play, as long as Wake Forest gets the win. We have a motto, “one team one fight,” and I’m willing to stick to that for whatever it takes. If coach puts me at the 5 I’ll play it, 6, I’ll play. 1, 2, 3, I’ll play it. As long as we win and I can help the team I’ll do it.

Chas
-keeps working hard in practice and is gaining confidence from working hard and playing well.

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Final - Deacs win 72 - 46. This time Teauge didn't hand the ball to the ref and get himself called for travelling. Well done. Final thoughts coming after the press conference.

1:31 - Chas just tried a three, it wasn't all that pretty. Ish just buried a three at the end of the shot clock, and Clark followed it up with a steal and a fast break layup. Good little five point spurt. 72-46. Bobby Hoekstra and Cam Stanley just checked in.

3:55 - Things seem to have slowed down considerably, but we're still putting points on the board. One thing I've liked seeing so far is that that we've controlled this game and put plenty of points on the board without relying on LD to do it all. Hopefully we'll see some other guys get some minutes here at the end. Clark just checked in, so that's good.

6:08 - Chas now up to double digits with 10 .I'd like to see Clark get back in the game, maybe even a bit more Cam Stanley. James Johnson just slammed in a freethrow that was still in the cylinder, kinda funny but not particularly smart either.

7:31 - Chas just provided the first excitement in awhile with a great spin move/drop step form the top of the key. 57-39 heading into an official's timeout.

9:19 - Clark just got a 3 off, but missed it long. Not a lot of action at the moment, just several fouls and turnovers. 55-36 Deacs.

11:46 - Official's timeout. Gary Clark's in the game. As we were talking about in the comments from the first half post, I'd love to see him take some shots. He looked very good against Fairfield and I'd like to see him keep shooting well. It's definitely something we need.

12:36 - Weaver with a monster block, I definitely think this will be our largest amount of blocks yet this season. Offense continues to play sloppily again. Just when it seems like they're getting it together this stuff starts up again. Stupid turnover out of bounds.

13:00 - Started trading baskets a bit, getting somewhat sloppy, although Teauge had an incredible block a minute ago. Ish hit a 3, but Weaver got called for charging the next posession. 52-34.

16:12 - Upstate's coach just went off at the refs and got himself T'd up. Harvey Hale missed both freethrows, though. Skeen to James Johnson on the alley-oop, a thing of beauty. 49-28.

16:56 - Three from James, and then comes down the floor and gets 2 blocks. 2 from Ish (finally), Deacs up 47-28.

18:39 - Not a bad start, good strong move my Chas to get fouled and then another one he makes. 43-28 Deacs.

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Halftime - 38-26. Strong finish by the Deacs, going on a 20 to 6 run in the last 7 minutes. Offense looks a little better than it did on Thursday, although at time the defense and rebounding have looked sloppy. James has played much better, already in double digit points and 5+ rebounds. Harvey Hale has certainly played a better game so far, but I think he's still capable of shooting a much higher percentage, or at least I hope so. A 12 point lead at the half is pretty good, considering the way we started. If we can keep that up and when by 25 or 30 points I'll be pretty satisfied. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions so far in the comments section.

0:45 - Block by either James or Skeen, couldn't tell but I think James. Skeen once again didn't go up strong enough to put it in with the foul, and only makes 1 freethrow. 36-26.

1:27 - Great ball movement on the last possession leads to great shot from Teauge. Lead back to 9, 35-26.

3:04 - Deacs are opening things up a bit, making some good plays and forcing some turnovers, even making some freethrows. Up 32-23

3:54- We've had several opportunities going to the basket where we've gotten fouled but not gone up strong enough to make the layup - just happened to LD. Getting those three point plays (or at least the opportunities) could help us out a lot, particularly considering our freethrow woes. Deacs up 28-23 with LD going to the line for 2.

5:01 - I know we've been shooting a poor percentage, and so to an extent I appreciate that the guys are being a bit more selective, but almost every time someone gets the ball they pump and pass, and eventually they make a bad pass. Thankfully Harvey just hit a 3 for us. James just got called for goal tending, not so sure it was though.

6:17 - James seems to spark the team with another 3, providing a 22-21 lead. After another turnover Upstate calls timeout.

7:23 - Deacs finally score again after giving up 5 points with a Skeen tip in. Down 18-20 right now. I feel like we're lacking in intensity on both sides of the ball. I'm surprised considering the loss Thursday, expected us to come out with some fire.

10:56 - Dunk by D Weav. We're letting them get an absurd amount of offensive rebounds. Another dunk from Weaver. 16-10 Deacs. Cam Stanley and Teauge now in the game as well after the timeout.

14:24 - Another three from Payne, we must do a better job getting out on that. Harvey got called for a charge, 1 four for him and for LD. Clark, Weaver, and Skeen come in off the officials timeout.

16:30 -James makes both his freethrows, Chas has made a good move, but we also gave up another three. They're getting off too many good shots. James has now scored 7 straight, Deacs lead 12-10.

18:16 - After a couple of turnovers (and a couple forced turnovers) Harvey hits his first shot for a 3. 3-3.

Tipoff - Starting Ish, Chas, LD, Harvey, and James. Upstate probably has the weirdeest uniforms I've ever seen. I'm not sure what to make of them. It's all green and the numbers and school name are just a white outline on the green, and the school name is vertial. Very strange. Payne, their leading scorer, opens with a 3. 0-3.

We're about 10 minutes from tip here, Wake looking to get back in form with a win over USC Upstate. Upstate is 0-6 so far to start the season, playing in their first season as a member of Division 1 and the Atlantic Sun Conference. Although they were apparently very good in their D-2 conference the last several years, they've not suprisingly struggled to start their Division 1 tenure.

Wake looks to bounce back after their 59-63 loss to Charlotte on Thursday. Chas McFarland, who's dad is (as far as I know) still in the hospital, is here and in the starting lineup this afternoon.

Pretty thin crowd as of right now. Hopefully we'll fill it up a bit more as the game starts, but I'm not expecting a huge crowd today.

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