College Showdown as #2 Maryland hosts #1 Wake Forest

Friday marks the game of the year so far as defending national champions and #1 ranked Wake Forest hosts #2 ranked and arch rival Maryland.  Add in a national television audience on Fox Soccer Channel and you have the makings of a classic ACC clash not only for conference bragging rights but national prestige as well.

2nd ranked Maryland enters the match at 6-1-0 on the year and riding a 5 game winning streak where they have outscored opponents 13-1.  They have wins over Boston College, UCLA and Duke on the year and are coming off a 4-0 midweek win over American.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest remains unbeaten on the season at 7-0-0 and are averaging a very impressive 3 goals a match offensively.  Last weekend Wake travelled across the country and blasted a solid UC Santa Barbara squad 6-2.  Wake also has solid wins over UCLA, South Carolina and Clemson on the year.

Offensively, Maryland is led by Casey Townsend with 4 goals.  They are very dangerous on set pieces with 6'5 Omar Gonzalez coming forward.  He has 3 goals on the year including the winner against Duke.  Defensively Maryland is very strong having only allowed 3 goals in 7 games this year.

Wake Forest is led Marcus Tracey who has 6 goals and 3 assists on the season, while Corben Bone has 2 goals and 4 assists. Defensively, Wake Forest has allowed 3 goals against in 7 games so far with 5 shutouts.

"Maryland and Wake Forest traditionally have a great rivalry in terms of quality of play," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "The games are usually very closely contested. They have one of the best soccer environments in the country. Not many teams go in there and get a win. Hopefully our team will be ready."

Catch the game on Fox Soccer Channel Friday night at 8:00 eastern time.