UNCW Salvages Dramatic 3-3 Draw at Wake Forest with Late Equalizer
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In a thrilling display of attacking soccer at Spry Stadium on Monday, September 16, North Carolina Wilmington staged a remarkable comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against Wake Forest, with Christian Acevedo's 89th-minute strike completing the visitors' fightback from a two-goal deficit.
The match exploded into life in the opening minute when UNCW stunned the home crowd with the fastest of starts. Osei Gyamfi needed just 43 seconds to give the Seahawks the lead, finishing clinically after excellent work from Ethan Newsome to silence the Demon Deacons' faithful.
Wake Forest responded with determination, and their pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Tate Lorentz leveled the score. The equalizer came from a well-worked move involving Basit Umar and Amoni Thomas, with Lorentz applying the finishing touch to restore parity at 1-1.
The first half settled into a rhythm after the early goal flurry, with both teams creating chances but unable to find the breakthrough before the interval. The teams headed to the locker rooms level, setting the stage for a dramatic second half.
The Demon Deacons emerged with renewed purpose after the break, and Lorentz proved to be the catalyst for their resurgence. The Wake Forest striker doubled his tally in the 53rd minute, showing impressive individual skill to score unassisted and give the home side a 2-1 advantage.
Wake Forest appeared to take control of the match when Jeffrey White extended their lead to 3-1 in the 66th minute. The goal was a testament to Wake Forest's fluid attacking play, with Lorentz turning provider alongside Amoni Thomas to set up White for what looked to be the decisive strike.
However, UNCW refused to surrender. The Seahawks began their comeback in the 71st minute when Bryan Miralrio pulled one back, capitalizing on Gavin Carmichael's assist to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and reignite hope for the visitors.
The momentum had shifted, and UNCW pressed forward in search of an equalizer. Their persistence was rewarded in dramatic fashion when Christian Acevedo scored in the 89th minute, latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area to complete the comeback and secure a valuable point on the road.
The match statistics reflected the intense nature of the contest. Wake Forest dominated possession and created numerous chances, with Tate Lorentz's brace highlighting their attacking threat. The home side's ability to build through midfield, orchestrated by Basit Umar and Amoni Thomas, created multiple scoring opportunities.
For UNCW, the result demonstrated remarkable character and resilience. After taking an early lead through Gyamfi's lightning-fast opener, the Seahawks showed they could weather Wake Forest's storm and mount a successful comeback when trailing by two goals.
Key performers for Wake Forest included Lorentz, who not only scored twice but also provided the assist for White's goal, completing an outstanding individual performance. Amoni Thomas contributed two assists, showcasing his creative abilities in the final third. Basit Umar's midfield control helped Wake Forest dominate large portions of the match.
UNCW's heroes were undoubtedly their goal scorers – Gyamfi for his early strike that set the tone, Miralrio for beginning the comeback, and especially Acevedo for his late heroics. Ethan Newsome and Gavin Carmichael deserve credit for their assists, demonstrating UNCW's ability to create chances even when under pressure.
The draw leaves both teams with mixed emotions. Wake Forest will rue the missed opportunity to secure all three points after leading 3-1, while UNCW will celebrate their fighting spirit and ability to salvage a point from what appeared to be a losing position.
This result showcased the unpredictable nature of college soccer, where momentum can shift rapidly and no lead is safe until the final whistle. The six-goal thriller will be remembered as one of the most entertaining matches of the early season, with both teams demonstrating the attacking quality and never-say-die attitude that makes NCAA soccer so compelling.
For Wake Forest, the focus will be on their defensive lapses that allowed UNCW back into the match. For the Seahawks, this comeback will serve as a confidence booster and proof of their ability to compete against quality opposition on the road.