WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Top-ranked Akron scored a goal in each half and defeated No. 3 Wake Forest 2-0 on Sunday night in front of 4,583 fans at Spry Stadium.

 

The crowd, the fourth largest in Spry Stadium history and the largest to ever witness a regular season game at Wake Forest, packed every seat in Spry Stadium and another 1,500 fans watched from the hill outside the stadium as two of the top teams in college soccer did battle.

 

With the win, Akron improved to 2-0-0 on the season, while Wake Forest fell to 0-1-1 on the year.

 

The Zips got a goal in each half to earn the win. Darren Mattocks gave Akron a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 15th minute, while Darlington Nagbe found the back of the net in the 53rd minute.

 

Akron held a 6-4 advantage in shots in the contest and a 3-0 edge in shots on frame. The Zips were awarded eight corner kicks, while the Demon Deacons attempted three corners. The match was a physical one as the two teams combined for 35 fouls and eight yellow cards were issued in the contest.

 

Four different Wake Forest players had one shot each. Kyle Adams, Anthony Arena, Kyle Emerson and Tolani Ibikunle each attempted one shot for the Demon Deacons.

 

Akira Fitzgerald suffered the loss in goal for the Deacs, giving up two goals and making a save. David Meves earned his second consecutive shutout to start the season as he was not forced to make a save in the 90 minutes of action.

 

Akron grabbed an early lead on the first goal of the season from Mattocks in the 15th minute. Nagbe played a through ball to Mattocks. Mattocks dribbled to the left side of the 18-yard box and fired a shot from eight yards that just snuck inside the near post to give the Zips a 1-0 lead.

 

The Zips nearly doubled the lead in the 22nd minute. A free kick from 23 yards out by Michael Nanchoff hit off the cross bar and went out of play for a goal kick.

 

Wake Forest recorded its first shot of the match in the 40th minute as Emerson’s header went wide right of the goal.

 

Akron doubled the lead in the 53rd minute on a goal from Nagbe. Kofi Sarkodie played a pass to Nagbe, who finished from 16 yards out into the right side of the net for his second score of the season.

 

Wake Forest had a chance to trim the lead in the 71st minute, but Adams’ header from close range with wide of the goal.

 

The Deacs had another opportunity on a free kick in the 74th minute but Arena’s kick from 20 yards out was blocked by the Zips’ wall.

 

Wake Forest opens Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday, September 10, when it plays host to Clemson. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.