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University of Louisville
South Florida
Women's Soccer Opens Conference With 1-0 Win over USF.
September 24, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 24, 2004
TAMPA, FL - University of Louisville sophomore Jamie Craft tied her career-high with her eighth goal of the season, and it stood, as the University of Louisville edged South Florida 1-0 in the Conference USA opener for both teams Friday night.
"This is great way to open the conference schedule, against a very good conference team," remarked U of L Head Coach Karen Ferguson.
"We were definitely ready mentally, and it was our defensive intensity that won the game tonight," Ferguson added.
"Gina Lower's defensive performance really stood out tonight."
Louisville(6-2-0, 1-0-0) had a 13-7 edge in shots in the first half over the Bulls(1-3-2, 0-1-0) 13-7, but the teams went into the intermission in a scoreless tie.
Craft, who was named to the Soccer Buzz Magazine National Elite Team last week, put the Cards on the board in the 52nd minute, beating 2003 C-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference keeper Breck Bankester. Freshman Laura Walker picked up the assist, her second of the season.
Sophomore Lauren Podvin paced the Cards with nine shots in the match. Craft and freshman Monique Gjini each had three as the Cards outshot the Bulls 18-16 in the match.
Louisville senior goalkeeper Meredith Miller made five saves in the match including two in the final twelve minutes to secure the win and her 10th career shutout, establishing a new record at U of L.
South Florida had won the previous six matches between the two teams, and was 4-0 vs. the Cards in Tampa, including a 2-1 heartbreaker last season. The victory marked just the second time the Card have opened the C-USA season with a win.
Louisville is now 4-0 on the road on the season.
The Cards will travel on to Birmingham to face defending C-USA champion UAB Sunday at 1:00 p.m. U of L will return home on October 1st when they host Tulane at 7:00 p.m. in Cardinal Park. Admission is free.
