Sporting KC Academy product Zach Wright and his North Carolina side fell short in College Cup, suffering an agonizing defeat on penalty kicks to eventual champions Stanford in the Semifinal at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, Dec. 9.
Wright played 98 minutes against the Cardinal and saw one shot miss the target during the game. The match was goalless after 110 minutes of regulation and overtime, leading to penalty kicks. The first 19 penalty kicks were converted by each side before Tar Heels defender Alex Comsia missed the target in the 10th round, sending Stanford to their second consecutive College Cup Final. Wright did not take a penalty kick.
In Friday’s other Semifinal, Wake Forest saw off Denver behind an overtime winner from Ian Harkes. Jon Bakero gave the Demon Decons an early lead before Andre Shinyashiki equalized for the Pioneers to send the game to overtime where Harkes struck in the 102nd minute.
Stanford were crowned National Champions for the second year running at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday after topping Wake Forest in a repeat of their Semifinal victory over North Carolina. Once again, 110 minutes passed with no score between the Cardinal and the Demon Deacons, but it was Stanford that kept their nerve in the penalty shootout when Wake Forest’s Brad Dunwell saw his attempt saved in the sixth round.
