University of Louisville
Ohio St
Cardinals, Buckeyes End Deadlocked
October 13, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 13, 2004
The University of Louisville (4-4-4) men's soccer team played Ohio State (5-2-2) to a scoreless tie on Wednesday evening at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The game marked the fourth tie of the season for the Cardinals. It was also the second tie of the season with a Big Ten team for the Cardinals, which tied No. 13 Michigan 1-1 on Oct. 3.
"It was a great college game," said head coach Tony Colavecchia. "It was a good result, it was fortunate that we didn't lose and then again unfortunate that we didn't win. It was the first time all season that we played well for over 90 minutes. We had an outstanding defensive effort tonight. Matt Neely, Ryan Meyer and Tim Velten did a tremendous job in the backfield. Our midfield worked very, very hard. Nick Rice-Sarantis came off the bench for us and did an outstanding job in the midfield. He helped us to secure the midfield.
"Ohio State is a very talented team. The have many weapons and we were able to hold them off. I was well pleased with our approach to the game. It was a good team effort as we prepare for Saint Louis on Saturday." In a scoreless first half, Ohio State out-shot Louisville, 6-0, but just one of the Buckeyes' shots was on goal, that coming from senior Eric Schwebach (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie). The two offenses got going in the second half to the tune of 20 total shots - 11 for Louisville and nine for Ohio State. On a yellow card issued to Cardinal goalkeeper Tyler Wilcox for a rare pass back penalty, the Buckeyes were given a free kick from the top of the 6-yard box. OSU junior Kyle Veris took the free kick but it was blocked by a host of Louisville players at the net.
Louisville nearly came up with the game's first goal in the 72nd minute when David Guzman's shot hit off the right post. Ohio State answered in the 78th minute when a shot by senior Peter Withers was deflected by Tyler Wilcox and a follow-up attempt by sophomore Rob Strachan was blocked by a Cardinal defender. Guzman nearly ended the game midway through the first overtime when he fired a shot that bounced off the cross bar. Though both teams were credited with just two shots on goal in the 110-minute affair, several close shots were blocked by defenders just feet from crossing the goal line.
Ohio State finished the match with an 18-13 shot advantage over the Cardinals. Wilcox finished the game with two saves while the Buckeye's Ray Burse, Jr. finished with two as well.
Louisville will be back in action as they take on Saint Louis Saturday evening in Cardinal Park at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night will also be Kentucky Youth Soccer Night.
