University of Louisville
CINCINNATI
Men's Soccer Knocks Off No. 21 Cincinnati in Overtime
October 15, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 15, 2003
Louisville, Ky. - The University of Louisville's men soccer team defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday evening in Cardinal Park. The Cardinal win hands Cincinnati its first league loss of the season. Louisville improves to 9-5 on the season and 4-2 in league play and the Bearcats fall to 6-2-4 overall and 2-1-1 in league play.
"I thought tonight was a good solid team performance," said head coach Tony Colavecchia. "There were moments tonight when Cincinnati outplayed us. They are well coached and organized and a hard team to break down.
"I thought that we played very well in the first half. In the second half Cincinnati changed their formation and we probably made an error in just trying to protect the lead. In the overtime our guys felt strongly about fitness and the fans carried us through. Simon Bird was amazing and Brad Sokolowski made some great saves."
Senior forward Simon Bird scored in the 12th minute off a cross from Felipe Tolomelli to put the Cards up 1-0. Cincinnati dominated the second half, outshooting the Cards 10-4 in the half. The Bearcats' Justin Lewis collected a deflection from John Liersemann and rolled it into the goal to tie the game in the 80th minute of play.
Bird blasted the game winner past a diving Bearcat keeper John Adams in the 98th minute of play off a cross from freshman Marco Terminesi. Cardinal keeper Sokolowski collected four saves in the game while Adams had one. UC held a 17-10 shot advantage for the game.
Louisville will travel to Birmingham, Ala. to take on the No. 23 UAB Blazers on Saturday, Oct. 18.
