Game #4 - Wake Forest - Friday, August 28

[Let'sGoZips94]

27 minutes ago, malonepioneer12 said:

Does anyone have video of the goal? 

 

 

 

[TennZip]

I am not on twitter....so I was not able to see the 2nd item in the twitter link above...

 

here is a facebook shared link....where you can see the goal

if you are on instagram....you can also see the goal on instagram

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1MAc4mWcHg/

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[TennZip]

Attendance of 2,260

 

great job turning out, zips fans !!!

[Zips1991]

Here's a slightly wider shot of the goal. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcm6YJADFZ8/?igsi=MWptamE1eDBlcnM5Yg==

 

[fknbuflobo]

AKR 1-0 WF   FT

 

Very evenly matched contest, though Zips had more of the ball.

 

WF GK, who played a stellar match up to that point, got caught going for a ball outside his own box.  Zips' Noa Testa, who had just entered the match for the first time, punished the GK for that one mistake.  Superb cross field diagonal pass by Matt Paiva to assist Testa's goal.

[TennZip]

 

[TennZip]

The Wake Forest website has a very thorough write up on the game.

 

https://godeacs.com/news/2026/8/28/mens-soccer-wake-forest-falls-to-no-10-akron-1-0

 

 

FROM COACH MUUSS
"That was a tough result. I think the guys competed for 90 minutes. They fought. We showed characteristics that maybe we haven't shown in the past, which is grit and grind, and that's not being disrespectful to former teams. We were just at a different level tonight, the way they tracked back in transition and hunted the ball was so good. I'm so proud of them.

Jonah had a great game tonight, and just one mistake cost us the match. Maybe there were things that we could have done prior to that through ball getting in. I'm gutted for the group because of the way we conceded. I'm not gutted for the group for the way they competed. If we continue to compete like that and we continue to grow and get better, this group can be special."

Edited yesterday at 04:27 AM by TennZip

[Reslife4Life]

What a great game last night! You could actually feel some energy in the stands which doesn’t happen all the time. Last night I was ready to say it was a fun 0-0 match and then we finally broke it open. Very impressed by Sam Bunch. Remi also had some really nice plays. For a striker, Remi impacts the game way more than most

[zippypitt]

A couple of thoughts on the game:

 

- Sam Bunch is a great addition.  I am concerned though his aggressive style will produce a good number of cards

- London Sears always seems dangerous with the ball.  Excellent recruit

- Wake goalie was freaky athletic.  Too bad one mistake cost him a superb game

- Possession was impressive

- Backline was stellar with three consecutive clean sheets

- I want to see more Ignacio Alem, he was really coming on the end of last season

- Great atmosphere on a beautiful night

 

Go Zips!

[Zips1991]

43 minutes ago, zippypitt said:

A couple of thoughts on the game:

 

- Sam Bunch is a great addition.  I am concerned though his aggressive style will produce a good number of cards

- London Sears always seems dangerous with the ball.  Excellent recruit

- Wake goalie was freaky athletic.  Too bad one mistake cost him a superb game

- Possession was impressive

- Backline was stellar with three consecutive clean sheets

- I want to see more Ignacio Alem, he was really coming on the end of last season

- Great atmosphere on a beautiful night

 

Go Zips!

I've been impressed by Sears' physicality and ability to take on defenders for such a young player. My one critique of him is that he needs to get crosses in quicker. He's probably used to being able to get by defenders in high school and it's an adjustment he'll likely make over time.

Edited 16 hours ago by Zips1991

[fknbuflobo]

10 hours ago, TennZip said:

The Wake Forest website has a very thorough write up on the game.

 

https://godeacs.com/news/2026/8/28/mens-soccer-wake-forest-falls-to-no-10-akron-1-0

 

 

FROM COACH MUUSS
"That was a tough result. I think the guys competed for 90 minutes. They fought. We showed characteristics that maybe we haven't shown in the past, which is grit and grind, and that's not being disrespectful to former teams. We were just at a different level tonight, the way they tracked back in transition and hunted the ball was so good. I'm so proud of them.

Jonah had a great game tonight, and just one mistake cost us the match. Maybe there were things that we could have done prior to that through ball getting in. I'm gutted for the group because of the way we conceded. I'm not gutted for the group for the way they competed. If we continue to compete like that and we continue to grow and get better, this group can be special."

Those are the remarks of an exemplary head coach and leader.  Factual.  Accountable.  Supportive.  Forward thinking.

[Zip_ME87]

Fa Fa late in the 1st half and starting the 2nd was a great sub. Fa Fa was a beast, and Remi came back at crunch time with rested legs. And, of course subbing Noa paid off quickly. Brilliant work by him from Paiva’s long ball to force the GK error and stay with it for the goal. What a goal!!! I love the depth of this team and look forward to seeing them come together like last night. 
 

[72 Roo]

Last night's game was one that will be talked about for some time: perfect weather, great opponent, team effort, 90 minutes of pressure on the Wake goal, great coaching match. We still have much to work on, but we are coming together and putting the pieces in place. My random points:

• Ty Morck was our best midfielder last night
• I love how the staff is playing Sears into a formidible attacker. I just wish he would take defenders on more often. If there is nothing there cross sooner, I don't care if we are short. Running onto the ball gains an advantage over a static defender 
• Sam Bunch has got to cool his physicality. Last night he deserved two yellow cards = one red
• The defense is solid. Freddy and Matthew are easy to build around. McQuire and Bunch are nice additions.
• Wake had only one attack that was dangerous. We had a half dozen.
• Our corners have got to improve. We have little production from them and that is a waste of opportunity.
• The upside for this team is enormous.  
• Remi needs the mids to be more dangerous to open space for him. O'Rourke looks ready. Jack Sullivan has come on, but Jack Roman has yet to find his form
• Cudos to the Wake goalie. He was outstanding. He kept the game from being 3-0.

[Let'sGoZips94]

5 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

 

• I love how the staff is playing Sears into a formidible attacker. I just wish he would take defenders on more often. If there is nothing there cross sooner, I don't care if we are short. Running onto the ball gains an advantage over a static defender 
• Sam Bunch has got to cool his physicality. Last night he deserved two yellow cards = one red
• The defense is solid. Freddy and Matthew are easy to build around. McQuire and Bunch are nice additions.
• Our corners have got to improve. We have little production from them and that is a waste of opportunity.
• The upside for this team is enormous.  
• Remi needs the mids to be more dangerous to open space for him. O'Rourke looks ready. Jack Sullivan has come on, but Jack Roman has yet to find his form
• Cudos to the Wake goalie. He was outstanding. He kept the game from being 3-0.

 

This is a near perfect summation of where this team is at. Well said.

 

- I do however disagree about Bunch's physicality. I love it. I want his intelligence to improve but his physicality is much needed. So far, the defensive strategy vs Akron is either to pack the box or be physical on the ball. Bunch helps keep that at bay; he's a smaller Haaland when it comes to contact, not going down easily, etc. 

 

- Agreed on Sears and our entire wing/midfield attack needs to be more aggressive in general. Attack the space at the top of the box more and fire more shots on goal. Do that and Remi will start to feel the freedom up front. 

 

- Really hate our set pieces in general. That needs to improve. 

 

- The sky is the limit with this team; should be a very fun season!