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Wake Forest downs Davidson 1-0 on late Tracy tally.
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Marcus Tracy saved his best for last, sending Wake Forest past Davidson in the 89th minute. -- Wake Forest University web site photo -- |
DAVIDSON, N.C. (Wednesday, September 20) -- Sophomore striker Marcus Tracy found net with 1:13 remaining to propel No. 7 Wake Forest to a hard-fought 1-0 decision over Davidson tonight in a non-conference meeting before 1,156 at Alumni Stadium.
Wake (7-1-1) won its ninth in a row over the Wildcats (4-5) to improve its record in the series to 20-4-1.
"Wake Forest is an extremely talented team and the best we've played all season," Davidson coach Matt Spear said.
With overtime looming, senior midfielder Ryan Solle slipped a through ball to reserve attacker Zack Schilawski. The freshman sent a pass across the top of the six-yard box to a waiting Tracy and he scored for the third straight outing to make it 1-0.
Wake had the best scoring opportunity in the first half, but senior midfielder Steven Curfman's shot was cleared off the goal-line just moments before the break
In the 50th minute, Schilawski was denied when Davidson freshman goalkeeper Robby Goldsberry came off his line to make a diving save one-on-one.
"I thought Robby and (freshman defender) Tim Roark were terrific in their first collegiate starts tonight," Spear said. "Robby stepped up to the challenge and made some big saves coming off his line when he was under a tremendous amount of pressure.
"We wanted the guys to fight hard and lay it all on the line, and we accomplished that,"
Davidson's best chance came in the 82nd minute when junior forward Tom Lavan received a pass from senior midfielder Mac Wilkie, turned and ripped a shot from just above the penalty area. Diving Deamon Deacons junior keeper Brian Edwards deflected the shot off his crossbar for his only save of the night en route to his fifth clean sheet of the season and 23rd of his career.
WFU gained a big advantage three minutes later when Davidson sophomore central defender Ryan Adeleye was sent off with his second yellow card after a tackle.
Wake Forest outshot Davidson 15-8 for the game, including a 10-5 after intermission, necessitating Goldsberry to make seven overall stops.
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