WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC) senior forward Zack Schilawski scored the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute to lift the third-ranked Demon Deacons to a 1-0 win over William & Mary (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CAA) in the 2009 regular season opener on a beautiful Tuesday night at Spry Stadium.

 
The Wake Forest offense was able to keep constant pressure on William & Mary all game, but couldn’t find a goal into late in the second half.

 
Senior defender Nick Courtney played a cross from near the endline on the left side of the field. The ball found Schilawski, who made a run to the center of the 18-yard box. Schilawski’s sliding attempt from six yards out beat the keeper to put Wake Forest in front 1-0.

 
The Tribe would not go quietly, nearly equalizing the game in the 78th minute. Andrew Hoxie played a nice cross and Alan Koger made a diving header attempt from close range, but senior goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald made the stop to preserve the lead.

 
William & Mary was unable to generate any more scoring opportunities as Wake Forest held on for the 1-0 win.

 
The Demon Deacons finished the game with an 18-10 advantage on shots. Wake was able to generate numerous corner kick opportunities, taking 15 in the game, compared to none for William & Mary. The 15 corners for the Demon Deacons was two shy of the school record of 17, set on October 16, 1999 against High Point.

 
Fitzgerald earned the win in goal for Wake Forest, making three saves to record the 15th shutout of his career. William & Mary keeper Andrew McAdams also played well in net for the Tribe, allowing a goal and making four saves.

 
Wake Forest was able to generate several opportunities in the early minutes of the game, taking five corner kicks. The best chance came in the eighth minute off a corner kick from Corben Bone. Ike Opara’s header attempt hit off the crossbar and William & Mary was able to clear the ball to safety.

 
William & Mary had its first chance in the 30th minute. Thomas Price attempted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but Fitzgerald was able to make a diving save.

 
The Deacs nearly struck first in the 55th minute. Andy Lubahn attempted a shot from the top of the penalty area in the middle of the field, but McAdams was able to make a diving stop, sending the ball out for a corner kick.

 
Off the ensuing corner kick, Wake generated another good chance. Bone’s corner found Opara, who headed it to Lubahn near the right post. Lubahn’s back heel attempt went just wide of the post.

 
The Tribe had another scoring chance in the 58th minute. Hoxie’s attempt from 16 yards out on the left side of the 18-yard box sailed just wide.

 
With the win, Wake Forest extended its unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents to 42 games and its home unbeaten streak to 35 games, which is the fourth-longest in NCAA history. The record is held by Tulsa, which was unbeaten in 39 straight home matches from 1988-1992.

 
The Demon Deacons also continued their solid play in season openers, improving to 27-2-1 in the first game of a season.

 
Wake Forest returns to action on Friday, traveling to Bloomington, Ind., to face Notre Dame in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.