News > December 16, 2007

By Connor Swarbrick | Staff writer

The Deacons were ranked number one in the country for much of the year, but they had only one goal -- to win a national championship. That goal was attained when they defeated Ohio State 2-1 in an exhilarating title match.

click to enlarge

(Photo courtesy Wake Forest Media Relations)

The Deacons took the field in front of a sold out crowd of more than 8,000 to compete for a national championship Dec. 16 on a clear but chilly, windy day at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. To win their first ever national championship the Deacons had to defeat Ohio State (17-3-5) who, often overshadowed by their other fantastic athletic teams, has emerged as a soccer power under head coach John Bluem.

The Buckeyes hadn’t lost in 15 contests and boasted a defense that allowed only 18 goals in 25 games this season. However, the Buckeyes had never beaten the Deacons in four previous meetings. The Buckeye defense was sure to face their toughest challenge yet against the Deacons who have a goal differential of plus 52.

Both teams came out aggressively and had opportunities early, but it was the Buckeyes who struck first. Roger Espinoza netted a goal just 13 minutes into the match. After a scramble on a corner kick redshirt senior goalkeeper Brian Edwards dove for a ball that ricocheted off the goal post. Espinoza took the rebound and put it through the legs of junior Jamie Franks. The Buckeyes were 14-0-2 this season when striking first.

The Deacons controlled possession for much of the first half despite being out shot 10 to 3. The Buckeyes packed in their defense to hold the Deacons scoreless. With nine minutes remaining in the first half sophomore Zach Schilawski took a brutal shot in the chest from a Buckeye defender but it was not called a foul. Out of frustration Schilawski got a yellow card less than a minute later.

The Deacons showed poise and continued to be aggressive. In the 67th minute the Deacons got on the board. Sophomore Cody Arnoux kept a ball alive along the sideline and sprinted towards the Buckeye goal. He sent the ball to a slashing Marcus Tracy put the ball in the back of the net to tie the contest at 1-1.

After the tying goal the game became very physical with both teams vying for their first national championship.

With just 12 minutes remaining in the contest, a ball was sent from deep in the Deacons’ end to Tracy who streaked down the side and beat two Buckeye defenders. Dribbling towards the center he fed Schilawski, a Cary native, who netted the goal to put the Deacons up 2-1.

Just minutes later Espinoza got a yellow card for a high kick. His cleat landed in the face of senior Julian Valentine. The Deacons played the next several minutes a man down as Valentine was forced to remain on the bench with a bleeding face.

With 5 minutes remaining Tracy missed an open net that would have secured a victory. However, the Deacon defense remained staunch.

With 1:30 remaining Ohio State had a corner kick, but a leaping Edwards snatched the ball and a national championship for the Deacons.

The national championship brings attention to an emerging soccer program and all of the hard work the Deacons have put in since losing last year in the semifinal match pays off. It is a tremendous accomplishment and something to be celebrated by the entire Wake Forest community.

The Deacons advanced to their first ever appearance in the NCAA finals with a 2-0 victory over ACC rival Virginia Tech (14-4-5).

After a scoreless first half Tracy netted a header off of a free kick from junior Sam Cronin in the 51st minute. Unmarked, Tracy leapt high into the air to land a spectacular header past the Tech goalkeeper just inside the near post.

Tracy landed another goal in the 83rd minute teaming up with sophomore Zach Schilawski.

On another note seniors Julian Valentine, Pat Phelan and Brian Edwards have been invited the 2008 Adidas MLS player combine Jan. 11-15. The draft will follow Jan. 18.