Nov. 22, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Sophomore Ike Opara and senior Marcus Tracy were named to Top Drawer Soccer's First Team of the Season, a variation of the All-American team. Freshman Danny Wenzel earned All-Rookie Team honors from Top Drawer Soccer.

Opara and Tracy become the 17th and 18th Wake Forest players in program history to earn All-American honors. They are also the ninth and 10th players to be named a first team All-American.

Wake Forest was one of only two teams to place two players on the first team. Indiana also had two student-athletes on the first team.

Opara, a sophomore defender from Durham, N.C., was named the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-ACC First Team honors. Opara helped to contribute to 11 shutouts on the season. On the offensive end, Opara has scored five goals on the season.

A senior forward from Newtown, Conn., Tracy ranks second on the team in goals with 12 and fourth in assists with seven. An All-ACC First team member, Tracy has 31 points on the season, which ranks second on the team, and scored at least one point in 13 games this season.

Wenzel, a freshman defender from Federal Way, Wash., has been a steady player all season as a centerback in the Wake Forest defense. Wenzel has helped the team to 11 shutouts on the season and was recently named to the ACC All-Freshmen team. Wenzel also contributed on the offensive end with a goal and three assists.

Akron's Steve Zakuani was Top Drawer Soccer's Men's College Player of the Year, while Matt Kassel of Maryland was the Rookie of the Year, according to Top Drawer Soccer.

Wake Forest opens play in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, November 25, against William & Mary at Spry Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET). Complete information on the game can be found at Tournament Central.