Deacs Take Down Wolfpack 2-1

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By: Dylan Shackelford
RALEIGH, N.C. – Behind an 87th-minute winner by captain Jeffrey White, the Wake Forest men’s soccer team earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over Big Four rival NC State Friday night at Dail Soccer Field.

WE SNATCH THREE POINTS ON THE ROAD 🎩 pic.twitter.com/TMu2LxIT5e

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

The Demon Deacons improve to 6-2-1 overall and 3-1-0 in ACC play with the victory, earning their second-consecutive conference win and fourth-straight victory over the Wolfpack. Wake Forest is now unbeaten in its last 24 meetings with NC State, dating back to 2006, and improves to 35-11-7 all-time in the series.

He’s always had it in him 🫡 pic.twitter.com/oaJBjnZPwh

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

Additionally, Wake Forest improved to 21-4-5 against Big Four opponents since 2015, having already defeated Duke (6-1) earlier this season.

THE CAPTAIN 🫡 https://t.co/Ckt8sXvJts pic.twitter.com/mwisQJpqbN

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

The Deacs struck first in the 21st minute when White played a perfect ball forward in transition to Chandler Young, who calmly finished in stride to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 lead. Joby Reid was credited with the secondary assist on the play for his first in the Old Gold & Black.

87' | JEFF GIVES US THE LEAD!!! pic.twitter.com/MSwMCwEc9I

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

Young’s goal was his third of the season, tied for the team lead with Lorentz and White, and gives him three goals and one assist for seven points in 2026.

Fighting 💪 pic.twitter.com/7DPkR04x7L

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

Just over five minutes after the Wolfpack equalizer in the 82nd, Wake Forest reclaimed the lead.

Unreal stuff 👏 https://t.co/3TdAr43xit pic.twitter.com/mPGA36JMbC

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

Freshman Henry Rosenfeld played a perfectly weighted through ball while off balanced in transition to Pariss Mitchell, who fought through a defender before laying the ball off to White for the finish in the 87th minute.

46’ | Back for more.

Wake Forest 1-0 NC State pic.twitter.com/BYsK7QwRuS

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

White now has three goals and three assists on the season for nine points, tied for the most on the team in all categories, with his career totals at seven goals and eight assists.

Up at the break 💪 pic.twitter.com/fK8VktOLtX

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

It marked the first career assist for Rosenfeld, who was a massive spark off the bench, while Mitchell now has two on the season and four for his career.

38' | NC State's goal is called back following VAR review!

Wake Forest 1-0 NC State

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 25, 2026

The victory was also a memorable one for goalkeeper Owen Barnett, who made his first career start in place of Jonah Mednard, who is away on international duty with Haiti. Barnett made three saves, including an unbelievable stop right out of the break, while earning his first collegiate victory.

What a ball, Jeff 🪄 https://t.co/pN5nUojVCS pic.twitter.com/JrQtcgUxPa

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 25, 2026

Associate head coach Dane Brenner led the squad in the victory tonight, helping the team to its 165th victory since 2015, a mark that is tied for the most in the nation.

Found a way. pic.twitter.com/tB14ddAF6U

— Wake Forest Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) September 26, 2026

FROM COACH BRENNER
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team and staff tonight. A lot of adversity throwing our way with Bobby having to sit out a match and Jonah being gone. This is a group that loves a challenge and just continues to step up and fight their way through. We’ve always had a next-man-up mentality and tonight we showed that. Getting three points in an ACC matchup is a tall task, especially at NC State who hasn’t lost at home this year until now and you can see why. They put you under a lot of pressure, they’re well organized and well coached, but I think we took our moments really well and were able to show how you can damage them. I just couldn’t be prouder of our guys, they fought, grinded and were relentless in their pursuit of the win.”