Deacs extend win streak, climb to No. 6 in polls
By Margaret McKenzie
Old Gold and Black Reporter

Sept. 23 is a date that holds meaningful significance to the Demon Deacon men’s soccer team. After losing to South Carolina in Columbia on the that date the Deacs were staring down a 4-4 record and a faltering offense that could not capitalize on quality opportunities.

Six weeks later the Deacons have not lost in 11 games and completed their home stand 9-0 after defeating Duke on Nov. 3 and notching a Nov. 6 victory over Charleston Southern.

In the Deacs’ contest with Duke, All-American candidate sophomore forward Jeremiah White scored twice to defeat the Blue Devils 2-0. Capitalizing on his speed, White scored his first goal 27 minutes into the game. After making a stop, sophomore goalkeeper William Hesmer threw the ball up field to junior defender Aaron Thomas. Thomas found White on the right side, and the forward slipped past the Duke defense all the way to the 12-yard line. White hit a shot into the opposite corner of the goal, recording his 13th goal of the season.

Later in the half, White added an insurance goal for the Deacs. Sophomore midfielder Vicente Bastidas fielded a pass from freshman defender Ryan Caugherty in the open field. Bastidas then connected on the right side of the field with a sprinting White, who skimmed his shot off the right goal post before it hit the back of the net, giving the Deacs a 2-0 advantage that they took into the half.

Duke, however, did not go quietly into the night.

The Blue Devils entered the final 90 minutes with an offensive mindset, but Hesmer played the hero in goal. Despite the fact that Duke outshot the Deacs 8-4 in the second half, Hesmer did not allow a goal, recording six saves in the game.

The victory over Charleston Southern Nov. 6 propelled the Deacs to No. 6 in the Soccer America Poll.

Senior midfielder Christian Lonteen and freshman forward Stephen Keel both scored two goals in the 6-0 rout of the Buccaneers.

Keel scored his first goal of the night 18 minutes into the game. White fed a pass to sophomore Robbie Fischer and, after Fischer’s cross into the box, Keel knocked the ball past the keeper for his third goal of the season.

With eight minutes left, Lonteen scored his first goal of the night. A Charleston Southern defender in the penalty box pulled down Fischer as he dribbled towards the goal, and after the foul Lonteen easily drilled the ensuing penalty shot into the back of the goal.
The Deacs did not score again in the first half, but did monopolize time of possession by utilizing excellent ball handling and consistently strong defense.

Four minutes into the second half the floodgates opened for the Deacon offense. Lonteen dribbled through the defense on the left side and passed the ball into the middle of the box. White controlled the ball and, turning on his defender, drilled the shot into the opposite corner.

The next goal came at the 52:00 mark after a cross into the middle of the field by sophomore defender Kevin Wickart. Senior Bobby Gehring controlled the cross, but his shot was deflected. Awaiting the rebound for the Deacs was freshman forward Scott Sealy who scored his ninth goal of the season.

With just under 20 minutes left in regulation, Sealy was held just outside the box. On the penalty shot, sophomore midfielder Brian Carroll faked the shot followed by a picture-perfect goal from Lonteen.

Ten minutes later Keel scored his second goal of the game with assists going to James Riley and Scott Sealy.

The Deacs’ Lonteen received a yellow card with 17:30 left to play. Lonteen was dragged down outside the box on the right side by Charleston-Southern’s Efe Moniedafe. Moniedafe received a yellow card for the foul, but Lonteen kicked the defender in the face on the same play resulting in a double yellow card.

Hesmer and junior Brad McEachern combined in goal for the shutout, giving the Deacs their seventh of the season. The victory brings the Deacons’ record to 14-4-1 with only one game remaining.

The Deacs will head to South Carolina for the final game against Clemson at 5 p.m. on Nov 10. If they defeat or tie the Tigers, the Deacons will finish second in the conference.