Sept. 16, 2003

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The fifth-ranked Wake Forest men's soccer team scored two seconds before halftime and two minutes after halftime to knock off George Mason on Tuesday night at Spry Stadium, 2-1. The win improved the Deacons' record to 4-1 and gave the Patriots their first loss as they slipped to 4-1-1.

Wake Forest and George Mason seemed to be on their way to a scoreless first half. But with 20 seconds remaining in the first stanza, Ryan Alexander lined a shot that was deflected out of play, resulting in a Wake Forest corner kick. With time ticking away, Alexander rushed to the corner and curled a pass into the penalty area. Kelvin Jones headed to Tomy Szczypiorski who also headed the ball beyond the outstretched hands of George Mason goalkeeper John O'Hara.

The goal, Szczypiorski's second of the year, lifted to Deacons to a one-goal halftime edge.

Coming out of the locker room, George Mason responded right away. Just 16 seconds into the second half, Michael Parkhurst was whistled for a foul at the top of the penalty area. The Patriots tied the game on a left-footed laser by Danny Climo.

Wake Forest didn't waste any time in regaining the lead. Just 46 seconds later, Steven Curfman's corner kick again found Jones in the penalty area. This time, Jones scored the goal himself, heading the ball into the goal's upper netting for a 2-1 lead.

Senior goalkeeper William Hesmer and the Deacon defense held George Mason at bay for the rest of the half. The Patriots didn't fire a single shot following their goal in the game's 47th minute. Wake Forest outshot George Mason 13-4 for the game.

George Mason returns home to host crosstown rival American Saturday at 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.