Sept. 7, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - After falling behind 1-0 just two minutes into the season's home opener, the No. 1 Wake Forest men's soccer team rallied to defeat the No. 16 Akron Zips 3-1 at Spry Stadium Friday night.

Freshman midfielder Corben Bone was an instant crowd pleaser, scoring back-to-back goals to seal the Deacon victory. With the win the Deacons improved to 3-0-0, while the Zips suffered their first loss of the season and stand at 2-1-0.

The first few minutes were chaotic for the Deacons, who were missing two regular senior starters due to minor injuries. The Zips took full advantage of Deacs and Ben Zemanski scored the first goal of the night in the second minute of the game.

The Deacs quickly recovered, with Bone and Marcus Tracy teaming up for the first Deacon goal at the 14:40 mark. Bone followed by netting Sam Cronin's corner kick ten minutes in the second half for the game-winner. Cody Arnoux put the finishing touches on the victory with a goal from Bone's corner kick in the 73rd minute.

"I think this game really showed our team character," Bone said. "To go down like that and to find a way to comeback and win is a sign of great team. The home opener win really meant a lot to everyone on the team."

The most spectacular story of the night was the Deacs' ability to adjust to the holes in the backline. With Pat Phelan and Julian Valentin, the only regular senior starters besides goalkeeper Brian Edwards, out with injuries, redshirt sophomore Justin Lichtfuss and freshman Ike Opara earned starting slots.

Early in the first half, Lichtfuss went down with an injury and in the second half Opara was also sidelined. The Deacs adjusted flawlessly, and versatile players like Mike Lahoud, a usual defender, dropped to midfield to help fill the d-line holes.

The Deacons will return to Spry Stadium to wrap up the Wake Forest University tournament with Bradley on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

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