Wake Forest Dominates Lipscomb 4-0 Behind Clinical Finishing
Seventh-ranked Demon Deacons cruise to emphatic victory with goals from Subachan, Lorentz, Umar and Rabiu
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Seventh-ranked Wake Forest delivered a commanding performance against visiting Lipscomb, cruising to a 4-0 victory that showcased the Demon Deacons' attacking prowess and tactical superiority at Spry Soccer Stadium.
The match remained scoreless through the opening half-hour as both sides probed for weaknesses, but Wake Forest's quality eventually shone through. Ethan Subachan broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, rifling home from close range after a blocked shot from Basit Umar created chaos in the Lipscomb penalty area. The goal capped a sustained period of pressure from the hosts, who had been knocking on the door with several dangerous attempts.
Lipscomb goalkeeper Alex Kara had been the story of the first half, producing a series of crucial saves to keep his side level. The keeper stood tall on multiple occasions, denying Wake Forest's attacking threats and preserving hope for the visitors. However, the relentless pressure from the Demon Deacons eventually took its toll.
Wake Forest doubled their advantage just before halftime when Tate Lorentz tucked away a header in the 86th minute, with Amoni Thomas providing the assist. The goal came at a crucial psychological moment, giving the home side a comfortable cushion heading into the break and effectively deflating any Lipscomb comeback hopes.
The second half saw Wake Forest assert their dominance even more emphatically. Basit Umar hammered home a header in the 75th minute to extend the lead to three goals, capitalizing on excellent service from his teammates. The goal highlighted Wake Forest's aerial threat and their ability to create scoring opportunities from set pieces and crosses.
Nico Rabiu completed the rout in the 87th minute, curling a right-footed effort into the bottom left corner to cap off a thoroughly impressive team performance. The late strike demonstrated the depth of quality in Wake Forest's squad, with multiple players contributing to the scoring.
Throughout the match, Wake Forest's tactical discipline and pressing intensity proved too much for Lipscomb to handle. The Demon Deacons finished with 15 shots compared to Lipscomb's 12, but their superior conversion rate and clinical finishing in key moments made the difference. Wake Forest also edged the corner kick battle 5-3, reflecting their territorial advantage.
Lipscomb showed flashes of attacking intent, particularly through efforts from Josiah Green, William Bryan, and Raphael Constant, but they struggled to test Wake Forest goalkeeper consistently. The visitors earned three yellow cards during the contest, with Tony Lombardi, Caleb Davis, and Brayden Strait all cautioned for unsporting behavior, suggesting frustration as the match slipped away.
Wake Forest's impressive performance was built on solid defensive foundations and explosive attacking transitions. The Demon Deacons' ability to create chances from various situations – set pieces, open play, and second balls – demonstrated the tactical versatility that makes them a formidable opponent at the highest level of college soccer.
The comprehensive victory serves as a statement of intent from the seventh-ranked Demon Deacons, who showcased the kind of dominant performance expected from a top-10 program.
Key Players
- Alex Kara (Lipscomb) - Made six saves to keep the scoreline respectable, producing several crucial stops in the first half - Ethan Subachan (Wake Forest) - Opened the scoring with clinical finish and provided energy throughout the match - Basit Umar (Wake Forest) - Contributed goal and assist while being involved in multiple attacking sequences