Aug. 31, 2008

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Ninth-ranked Michigan took an early lead against No. 3 Wake Forest on Sunday, but the Demon Deacons battled back with three consecutive goals in the first half to gain the lead and held the advantage through the final minutes of play, defeating Michigan 5-3 at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Wake Forest improved to 2-0 with win while the Wolverines are 0-2 for the season.

Michigan, entering the game after a season-opening 0-6 loss to UNC on Saturday, shot out of the gates and was able to land a goal on its first penalty corner in the opening two minutes of the contest.

Less than four minutes later, WF's Melissa Martin teamed up with Kim Romansky to post her second goal of the season when Romansky sent a cross through a rush at the UM goal where a waiting Martin flicked it past UM goalkeeper Paige Pickett.

With the score knotted Michelle Kasold set up Minou Gimbrere on a penalty corner from Martin. Gimbrere's shot was good and the Deacons had the lead with 18 minutes to play in the first half. Kim Romansky caught the Michigan keeper out the goal just three minutes later and was able put Wake Forest ahead 3-1 heading into the halftime break.

Liz Fries opened scoring in the second half with her first goal of the season, converting on a penalty corner from Martin that was set by Kasold.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Meredith Way added another goal for the Wolverines with a successful penalty stroke, cutting the Deacon lead to 4-2.

Hilary Moore added the final WF goal of the evening when she grabbed the rebound from a shot by Romansky and flicked it into the UM goal. With less than three minutes remaining, Meredith Way scored on a penalty corner to set the final score at 5-3.

Wake Forest will face No. 1 North Carolina on Friday at 7 p.m. at Kentner Stadium. The Tar Heels suffered their first loss in 27 matches when they fell to No. 5 Iowa 3-2 in the second game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Sunday.

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