Men's Soccer Spring Update
Current Deacons and alumni have strong showings in March action

April 3, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest men's soccer team is in the middle of spring exhibition play, preparing to host Mars Hill and North Carolina on Friday, while Demon Deacon alumni have been busy with the start of the Major League Soccer season.

Exhibition Update

The Demon Deacons have had strong spring exhibition showings, posting wins over Duke, High Point and the Carolina Railhawks FC.

Marcus Tracy, Cody Arnoux and Zack Schilawski have been the primary athletes on the front line of the Deacon offense. In Wake's first return to the site of the 2007 College Cup, Tracy, Arnoux and midfielder Corben Bone all netted goals against the Railhawks at Wake Med Park (formerly SAS Soccer Stadium).

Newcomers Danny Wenzel and Chris Estridge, who began attending classes at Wake Forest in January, made their first appearance in the Demon Deacon uniform at the exhibition opener against Duke. Wenzel, out of Federal Way, Wash. has been playing primarily in the centerback position, while Estridge (Indianapolis, Ind.) has been stationed at leftback.

Jeff Leach and Justin Lichtfuss have also been gaining valuable backline experience during spring competition. Leach, a freshman from New Canaan, Conn., has been playing at rightback while Lichtfuss (Baltimore, Md.) has been at centerback.

Sophomore Akira Fitzgerald has taken over the starting goalkeeper position left by Brian Edwards and helped the team post a shutout over the Blue Devils on March 20.

The midfield has continued to serve as a solid backbone for the Deacs, benefiting from veteran leaders Sam Cronin, Jamie Franks and Michael Lahoud. The youngest members in the lineup, Austin da Luz and Corben Bone, both starters during the 2007 season, have logged valuable spring season minutes.

On Friday, April 4, Wake Forest will host Mars Hill at 6:30 p.m., followed by Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina at 7:30. On April 11 the New Mexico Lobos will face the Deacs at Spry Stadium, and on April 20 the squad will wrap up exhibition play with Creighton in Omaha, Nebraska.

Demon Deacons in MLS Opening Day

Brian Edwards posted five saves in his first outing with Toronto FC (photo courtesy of Toronto FC media relations).

Brian Edwards made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut last Saturday, posting five saves in Toronto FC's season opener against Columbus Crew. Edwards was in goal for the entire 90 minute contest, opposite fellow Wake Forest men's soccer alum Will Hesmer who serves as the starting keeper for Columbus. Pat Phelan, also a Toronto FC rookie, traveled with the team but didn't record any minutes in season kickoff.

Michael Parkhurst started in the New England Revolution's opening outing in Foxborough, Mass., aiding in the team's 3-0 shutout over the Houston Dynamo. The former Wake Forest standout earned MLS Defender of the Year honors during the fall after just three years of professional play.

Stephen Keel made his first start as a centerback for Colorado (photo courtesy MLSnet.com)

Other Demon Deacon alumni that saw action during the MLS opening weekend include Scott Sealy of Kansas City, who came off the bench in the Wizard's 2-0 victory over D.C. United, and Stephen Keel, who had his first start as centerback for Colorado, helping the Rapids defeat the L.A. Galaxy 2-0. Amir Lowery is also on the roster for the Wizards, but didn't see any playing time in the match.

Julian Valentin has been traveling the globe with the L.A. Galaxy, participating in exhibition matches in Hawaii and China with David Beckham and crew.

James Riley will begin play this season with the San Jose Earthquakes, who start competition on Thursday against the L.A. Galaxy.

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