 "Photo: Alex Georgi")
Tuesday night No. 22 Charlotte shocked fans in an enduring fight against No. 3 Wake Forest. Sophomore Evan James received an assist from junior Andres Cuero in the 11th minute to score to give the Niners a 1-0 lead.
James played a key part in this next goal as well, which came in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. A ball crossed by James hit Jennings Rex at an obtuse angle, square in the head for a perfect goal to the back of the net. The goal gave Charlotte a 2-0 lead over the Demon Deacons.
The rising Charlotte score gave the Deacons all the reason to fire away, which they profoundly did to score their first and only goal of the game nineteen seconds from Rex’s third career goal.
The quick goal turnaround was of a domino effect and to defend the pride that Wake somewhat attempted to steal, the Niners fought back harder to penetrate their third goal of the game.
Senior Josh Norwood assisted redshirt freshman Owen Darby to create a final score of 3-1 in the Niners favor.
“This was a tremendous result. We played great soccer tonight and we showed people what we are capable of as a soccer program.
Wake Forest has been one of the benchmark programs in college soccer. We expected Wake Forest to attack us since they pass the ball better than any team in the country. I am just so proud of how our players fought and battled tonight,” said head coach Jeremy Gunn.
The last time the Niners defeated a top-five team was November 6, 1994 when Charlotte knocked off #1 South Carolina on the road, 3-1.
Charlotte will play at Furman in their last non-conference game of the season Saturday. The Niners return to Transamerica Field Oct. 9.
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