WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In a tournament featuring two of the best teams in the BIG EAST Conference and two of the best from the Atlantic Coast Conference, the ACC had the edge. St. John's held serve with fourth-ranked Wake Forest for 45 minutes before the Demon Deacons scored twice in the second half en route to a 3-1 win over the Red Storm in second round action of the Wake Forest Classic at Spry Stadium.

In the other second round match, North Carolina topped Connecticut, 3-0.

The Red Storm jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute when senior Simone Salinno (Lucera, Italy) scored his first goal of the season. Senior Tim O'Neill(Philadelphia, Pa.) sent a pass upfield to junior Matt Groenwald (Mt.Prospect, Ill.), who dribbled on the outside of the box. Going toward the far end line, Groenwald threaded a low cross through the box to a streaking Salinno. Salinno caught Wake Forest goalkeeper William Hesmer on his back feet and beat him to the lower near post.

Minutes later, however, the Demon Deacons, got the equalizier. Wake senior forward Jeremiah White was dribbling the ball near the box, trailed closely by Red Storm defenders Ryan Kelly (Marlton, N.J.) and Chris Wingert(Babylon, N.Y.). White was fouled just inside the top of the box and his ensuing penalty kick, at 36:39, beat St.John's keeper Bill Gaudette (Hummelstown, Pa.) to the near post.

The Red Storm had a pair of chances early in the second half. In the 46th minute, the Red Storm had a pair of chances, with a Salinno free kick from the near side of the box, and a corner kick from senior Angel Rodriguez (Toms River, N.J.), but both were off the mark.

Wake Forest, which entered the match with a 20-0-1 record at Spry Stadium, took the lead for good at 61:41. Wake midfielder Ryan Solle stole the ball and fed forward Scott Sealy, who dribbled into the box and around Gaudette, who came off his line expecting a shot. Sealy sent the ball to Tomy Szczypiorski, who easily fired the ball in from the six-yard box in the 62nd minute.

The lead grew to 3-1 in the 69th minute when Jeremiah White put away a blast from inside the box.

St. John's was outshot, 14-3, and the Red Storm had four corner kicks.

After the game, Salinno and Groenwald were named to the all-tournament team as representatives of St. John's.

The Red Storm (0-2) play next Saturday in South Bend, Indiana, where they open BIG EAST Conference play against Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m.