[CHARLOTTE-WAKE FOREST] Charlotte took down No. 12 Wake Forest in impressive fashion, 2-0, Tuesday night before a crowd of more than 2,000 fans at Transamerica Field.

“We looked phenomenal, with the intensity that we came out with we took the game right to Wake Forest,” 49er coach Jeremy Gunn said. “We created great chances right from the start. We could not have asked for a better game.”

Charlotte had a bunch of great chances early in the game, but it needed a little help from Wake to get on the scoreboard. Evan James fired a cross across the box, and Wake keeper Akira Fitzgerald punched the ball off Kyle Adams’ shin into his own goal for the 49ers’ first score in the 32nd minute.

Freshman Tyler Gibson and sophomore Donnie Smith teamed soon thereafter to feed a streaking James for the second goal.

“We knew we had to come out strong because it was Wake Forest,” James said. “Coach told us to come out strong and keep playing. We exploited their weaknesses [on offense] and played good Charlotte soccer, keeping the ball out of our net.”

Goalie Patrick Eavenson preserved the shutout with five saves in the contest.

Wake Forest fell to 1-2-1 and now must face No. 2 Virginia, again on the road, on Saturday. The game is a rematch of last year's Men's College Cup semifinals.