Nov. 28, 2007

Box Score |  Quotes

Winston-Salem, N.C. - Julian Valentin's first half header proved to be the difference as second-seeded Wake Forest edged 20th-ranked Furman 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Wednesday night at Spry Stadium.

Furman finishes its season at 19-4-0 while the Demon Deacons improve to 18-2-2 and advance to the round of 16 this weekend to host 15th-seed West Virginia.

"It's always disappointing to have your season come to an end, especially for the seniors who have worked so hard for four years," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "We knew coming in playing a top-ranked team like Wake Forest on their home field that it was going to be difficult. They attack well down the wings and we had to make some adjustments, but we laid it all on the line in the second half. I'm very proud of this team."

Valentin, a starter on the U.S. Under-21 National Team, pushed the Demon Deacons in front at 22:47 with his third goal of the season. Sam Cronin served a free kick into the middle of the box and Valentin rose above his defender to head the shot into the right corner.

Shea Salinas created Furman's first chance less than seven minutes into the match. The senior dribbled around two defenders and fired to the near post, but keeper Brian Edwards stopped the shot at the post. Wake Forest nearly took the lead just two minutes later as Jamie Franks' effort from 30 yards out was tipped over the bar by Furman netminder Bryan Amos.

Wake Forest looked to extend the lead with 16 minutes remaining in the half. Cody Arnoux received a long ball down the left wing for a one versus one with Amos, but the Paladin keeper turned away the shot towards the far post with a diving save.

Salinas posed another threat just nine minutes before the break. Patrick Murray played a quick restart down the right channel, but Salinas mis-hit a shot wide of the near post. Salinas served a cross into the box with eight minutes left before intermission, but Chris Davis was unable to direct his header towards the goal.

The Demon Deacons controlled the majority of first half possession while outshooting the Paladins 12-3 and forcing Amos into four saves.

Furman turned the tide in the second 45 minutes possessing the ball in the midfield and delivering several dangerous crosses from the wings. Haris Cekic keyed Furman's best chance of the second half. The freshman sent a cross from the left side that was deflected past the keeper by a Wake defender. Murray's shot at the far post, however, was smothered by Edwards.

Furman managed a 5-2 edge in second half shots while Wake Forest held a 14-8 edge on total shots on the night. The Demon Deacons attempted five corner kicks and Furman attempted one.

Edwards stopped three Furman shots to claim his 11 clean sheet of the season. Amos recorded five saves in his final game as a Paladin and became the Southern Conference's single season record holder with a 0.58 goals against average through 23 matches.

Furman's 19 wins equalled its second best total in school history. The Paladins, who reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in seven appearances, outscored their opponents on the season 52-13.

The win marked Wake Forest's first in three NCAA matches against the Paladins and snapped a three-game Paladins winning streak versus the Demon Deacons.