Harvard Drops Defensive Battle to Demon Deacons

In the most anticipated game of the Harvard men’s soccer team’s season thus far, Wake Forest proved why it’s a national powerhouse.

The Crimson’s perfect record was marred by the No. 6 Demon Deacons Saturday evening in Winston-Salem, N.C. No. 8 Harvard (6-1-0) took its first loss of the season, 1-0, at the hands of Wake Forest (5-1-1) in a non-conference matchup.

Co-captain Andre Akpan proved ambitious once again as he fired three shots in the highly-anticipated matchup.

Though the Crimson men fell short, they displayed a strong defensive performance, led by senior Kwaku Nyamekye.

Nyamekye fired two shots on net and helped Harvard hold the Demon Deacons to just one goal. Crimson goalie Austin Harms had one save in the 90-minute affair.

Wake Forest allowed only one shot on goal from the Crimson men in the first half of the game off the foot of senior Andre Akpan, but the Demon Deacons’ goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald made the save.

Fitzgerald notched his second shutout of the season, making three stops.

Early in the second half, Nyamekye fired back-to-back shots on goal. But Wake Forest would not allow Nyamekye’s effort to penetrate its stellar defensive shield—Fitzgerald turned both chances aside.

On the other end of the field, Harvard’s defensive effort wasn’t enough to contain the potent offense of Wake Forest.

“Wake Forest has been a top-five team for the last couple of years with a dynamic offense,” co-captain Brian Grimm said.

The Demon Deacons had their best chance at a goal in the first half in the 40th minute. Sean Randolph made a run down the middle of field and received Sam Redmond’s cross pass. But Randolph’s header attempt from seven yards out sailed high to keep the game scoreless entering halftime.

In a slow-paced game, Wake Forest broke the scoreless tie at 61:29 with a goal from Anthony Arena. The freshman received the ball off a corner kick from senior Austin da Luz and placed it inside the left post from six yards out, putting his team ahead for good, 1-0.

It was Arena’s first goal of his collegiate career, and da Luz’z 29th career assist, tying a Demon Deacons’ school record.

Luke Norman and Zack Schilawski each attempted a team-high two shots for Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons’ offensive output for the game was unmatched by Harvard, as Wake Forest outshot the Crimson men, 10-7. Harvard, however, managed to produce out six of the seven shots on goal in the second half of the contest.

Both teams earned five corner kicks apiece. Four out of five Crimson corner kicks came in the first half while Wake Forest matched that with four corner kicks in the second frame.

According to Grimm, the Demon Deacons’ corner kicks proved to be the deciding factor in the match.

“For the most part we kept them at bay, but there was a corner kick that we got caught sleeping on, and it proved to be the difference,” Grimm said.

Although Harvard fell short to its non-conference opponent, the team proved it could stick with one of the top teams in the nation.

“We performed well and created a lot of chances, and although there was no luck on our side, we created a lot of opportunities,” junior defender Jaren LaGreca said. “Everyone stepped up and played well.”

Grimm echoed LaGreca’s assessment: “I think overall we had a good performance, and we’re encouraged by our team effort.We just fell short to an amazing team.”