Revs Edge Wake Forest

Wells Thompson Scores Game-Winner Against Alma Mater

March 8, 2009

A pair of goals during a two-minute span late in the first half lifted the New England Revolution over Wake Forest University, 2-1, on Saturday night at Macpherson Stadium in the Revolution’s second preseason match.

Wells Thompson

Wells Thompson scored in the 42nd minute Saturday off a pass from Kheli Dube. (Photo by Joyce Furia)

Third-year midfielder and former Demon Deacon Wells Thompson scored the game-winning goal for New England, while the Revolution also benefited from an own goal for the second consecutive week.

The Revs remain undefeated in the 2009 preseason with the win, moving to 2-0 after last week’s victory against Austin Aztex FC of the USL-1.

After arriving in North Carolina on Wednesday and training for two days in Greensboro ahead of Saturday night’s match, the Revs started on the back foot and were put under heavy pressure by an energetic Wake Forest team in the early stages of the match.

The Demon Deacons made their early intensity pay off with the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute, when midfielder Corben Bone blasted a free kick inside the left post following a foul just outside the top of the box.

Wake Forest almost doubled its lead in the 22nd minute on a driven long-range effort that sailed just high and wide, but New England eventually settled into a rhythm and began to control the majority of possession midway through the first half. The Revs couldn’t convert a succession of set pieces into a goal, however, as Demon Deacon goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald made a few crucial saves and also watched more than one shot go narrowly wide of his goal.

The Revolution’s pressure finally paid off in the closing minutes of the first half, as a pair of quick-fire strikes put the Revs from one goal down to one goal up in just two minutes.

New England tied the match on a fluky own goal in the 40th minute. Left back Chris Tierney slipped a ball towards the corner flag for Mauricio Castro to run on to, and the Honduran midfielder reached the ball with time to set up a cross. His low, driven pass towards the near post first hit a backtracking Wake Forest defender, then struck the post before rebounding off Fitzgerald and across the line.

Just two minutes later, Thompson – who played for Wake Forest from 2003-05 – scored the game-winner. Shalrie Joseph played the ball to Kheli Dube’s feet at the top of the box, and the second-year forward quickly slipped a pass to Thompson, who was charging through the box. With the keeper rushing off of his line, Thompson slipped his shot into the corner.

The Revolution continued to enjoy the majority of possession and dangerous chances in the second half, but was unable to produce a third goal. Halftime substitute Jeff Larentowicz had some of the most notable chances, firing just wide from distance on several occasions.

New England played the match without a number of players who were unavailable because of various reasons. Steve Ralston (quad), Matt Reis (hamstring), Gabriel Badilla (back), Kevin Alston (hamstring) and Mike Videira (groin) all missed the game with injuries, while Taylor Twellman did not join the team in Greensboro, instead remaining in New England with neck pain. Additionally, Chris Albright missed the Greensboro portion of the Revolution’s preseason trip because of prior family commitments, but will join the team in Cary on Sunday.

The Revs will conclude their preseason schedule with a match against the Carolina Railhawks of USL-1 next Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.