No. 2 Wake Forest Hosts No. 20 Duke in NCAA Third Round

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 2 Wake Forest continues NCAA Tournament play on Sunday when it hosts conference foe and 20^th-ranked Duke in a third round game. Kickoff at Spry Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m.

The Demon Deacons bring a 15-3-3 record into the contest and are coming off a 2-1 win against UNC-Wilmington last Sunday. Austin da Luz and Anthony Arena each scored a goal for Wake Forest in the victory, with Arena tallying the third game-winning goal of his freshman season.

Wake Forest is 18-10-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 3-2-1 record in the third round. The Deacs will be looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year.

Wake is led offensively by senior forward Zack Schilawski. The Cary, N.C., native has a team-leading 11 goals and 28 points on the season. Schilawski also has six assists on the year, including an assist in the victory against UNCW. Da Luz is second on the team with 22 points, scoring five goals and a team-leading 12 assists.

Akira Fitzgerald has compiled a 0.63 goals against average on the season, allowing 13 goals and making 73 saves. Fitzgerald ranks third in the ACC in GAA and save percentage (.849).

Duke enters the third round of the NCAA Tournament with a 14-6 record. The Blue Devils advanced to this point with a first round win at home against Winthrop and a second round triumph at No. 14 seed Michigan State.

The Blue Devils are led offensively by All-ACC Freshman Team member Ryan Finley. Finley has scored a team-leading 10 goals and 25 points. All-ACC Second Team selection Cole Grossman paces the team with 10 assists. Freshman defender Andrew Wenger (4g, 3a) was named the ACC Freshman of the Year.

James Belshaw has played most of the minutes in goal for Duke in 2009. Belshaw has a 1.17 goals against average on the season, allowing 20 goals and making 51 saves. Belshaw has a 12-5-0 record in net, including three shutouts.

The Demon Deacons and Blue Devils are meeting for the 40th time in series history. Duke holds a 21-12-6 edge in the all-time series, including a 9-5-2 advantage when the two sides play in Winston-Salem. Sunday's match will mark the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the two schools. Wake claimed a 3-0 win earlier this year in the regular season finale.

Ticket prices for the men's NCAA Tournament are $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. Please note that fans sitting on the hill by Polo Rd. will also be charged. All seats are general admission and fans are encouraged to arrive early. Tickets may be purchased by calling the WFU Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322, online at WakeForestSports.com or at the Spry Stadium ticket office on the day of the game.

Follow Digtriad On
Join Us On