WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Charlotte’s Evan James netted a goal and an assist to lead the 22nd-ranked 49ers to a 3-1 victory against No. 3 Wake Forest on Tuesday night at Spry Stadium.

With the loss, Wake Forest falls to 5-2-1, while Charlotte improves to 5-1-2.

Charlotte jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals in the 11th and 60th minutes. A goal from Andy Lubahn, also in the 60th minute, cut the lead to 2-1. The 49ers scored an insurance goal in the 70th minute and held on for the 3-1 win.

The loss snaps Wake Forest’s unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents at 46 games. Before Tuesday night, Wake’s last loss to a non-ACC foe came on November 26, 2005, when California downed the Deacs 3-2 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Lubahn netted the second goal of his rookie season the lead the Demon Deacons offensively. Austin da Luz attempted a team-high five shots, including two that were on frame, while Corben Bone had four shots.

James led the 49ers, scoring his fifth goal of the season and also adding his fourth assist. Jennings Rex and Owen Darby also netted goals for Charlotte.

David Martin earned the win in goal for Charlotte, allowing a goal and making three saves. Akira Fitzgerald suffered the loss for the Demon Deacons, giving up three goals and making four saves.

Wake Forest held an advantage in shots, taking 14, compared to nine for Charlotte. The 49ers had seven shots on goal, while the Demon Deacons had four shots on frame.

Charlotte scored on its first shot of the game, in the 11th minute. Andres Cuero played a long pass down the middle of the field that found James open and 1-on-1 with the keeper. James’s shot beat Fitzgerald to the right to put the 49ers in front 1-0.

Wake Forest nearly equalized in the 15th minute. Bone played a cross that found Lubahn in front of the goal. Lubahn’s header attempt went high to keep Charlotte in front.

The Demon Deacons kept the pressure on as da Luz attempted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but his attempt went just wide left of the goal.

Zack Schilawski had the best scoring chance for the Deacs in the first half. Schilawski had a shot from right in front of the goal that hit off the bottom of the crossbar. Charlotte was unable to immediately clear, but Wake Forest wasn’t able to get another shot attempt off.

Da Luz again had a good look at the goal in the 35th minute, but Martin was able to make a diving save on his shot attempt from 12 yards out.

Charlotte doubled its lead on Rex’s third goal of the season in the 60th minute. James played a cross from near the endline on the right side of the field. Rex’s header from in front went inside the right post to put the 49ers in front by two.

Wake Forest immediately answered, scoring its first goal of the game 19 seconds later. Off a shot attempt that hit off the crossbar, Lubahn collected the rebound in front and headed it into the right side of the net to make the score 2-1.

Charlotte regained its two-goal advantage in the 70th minute. Josh Norwood collected a turnover in the final third of the field and found Darby. Darby had an open shot from 17 yards out and tallied his first goal of the season.

The Demon Deacons were only able to attempt one shot in the final 20 minutes as the 49ers held on for the 3-1 win.

Wake Forest returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday, traveling to Blacksburg, Va., to face the Virginia Tech Hokies. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.