WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The #22nd ranked Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer team (5-1-2) defeated #3 Wake Forest (5-2-1), 3-1, on the road to stop the Demon Deacons nation’s best 46 match unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents. Charlotte’s win over #3 Wake Forest was the 49ers first win over a top five team since Charlotte defeated #1 South Carolina on the road, 3-1, November 6, 1994.

"This was a tremendous result," Charlotte coach Jeremy Gunn said. "We played great soccer tonight and we showed people what we are capable of as a soccer program. Wake Forest has been one of the bench mark programs in college soccer. We expected Wake Forest to attack us since they pass the ball better than any team in the country. I am just so proud of how our players fought and battled tonight."

Evan James, Jennings Rex and Owen Darby scored goals for the 49ers in their upset win over #3 Wake Forest.

"Tonight’s win proves what we are capable of as a team," Charlotte’s senior midfielder Adam Gross said. "Despite Wake Forest putting us under pressure at the end of the game we were very resilient until the end. After this win, our challenge is now to continue to keep up our high level of play."
The 49ers scored the game’s first goal when Gross won the ball in the midfield. Gross passed to Andres Cuero who split a couple of Wake Forest defenders. Cuero then sent a long pass to James who calmly beat Wake Forest goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald and put the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute. James’ goal was his fifth of the season.

"Scoring the game’s first goal was a huge confidence builder for our team," Gunn said. "After Evan scored Wake Forest put us under a lot of pressure the remainder of the half. We did not give up the in the first half. I felt that it was crucial for our team to have a lead at the half."

Charlotte made the score 2-0 when James beat a Wake Forest defender on the right side of the field. James crossed the ball to Rex who headed in the game’s second goal in the 60th minute. Rex’s goal was his third of the season.

Wake Forest immediately put the 49ers under pressure and Wake’s Andy Lubahn cut the 49ers lead to 2-1 when he scored a goal 19 seconds after Rex’s goal.

"I felt that this was a pivotal point in the game," Gunn said. "Wake Forest continued to put us under pressure. But there was not one player on our team who laid down. We did not give Wake Forest any scoring chances and we were able to get another goal pushing our lead back to two goals."

Charlotte made the final score, 3-1, when Josh Norwood created a turnover in Wake’s final third. Norwood then made an incredible pass to Darby who put the ball in the back of the net for his first goal of the season in the 70th minute.

From the 60-80 minute mark of the match, Wake Forest put the 49ers under pressure but the 49ers stout defense did not allow any real scoring chances during this time.

Wake Forest finished the game with a 14-9 advantage in shots. James led the 49ers with three shots. While Isaac Caughran tallied two shots for the 49ers.

"The boys are really excited," Charlotte senior midfielder Luke Exley said. "We had to dig deep tonight to win this game. This is definitely one of the biggest wins in my career at Charlotte. We are going to savor this win tonight and then tomorrow we are going to start preparing for a very tough Furman team."

Charlotte concludes the non-conference portion of their schedule when they travel to Southern Conference foe Furman, Saturday, October 3 at 7 pm.