University of Louisville
MIAMI (OH)
Cards Blank the RedHawks 3-0 Sunday
August 28, 2005 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 28, 2005
LOUISVILLE, KY. - University of Louisville sophomore Monique Gjini scored two goals and the Cardinal defense limited Miami to just a single shot on goal as the Cardinals blanked the RedHawks 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in Cardinal Park.
With the win, Louisville is off to its second 2-0 in the program's history after opening last season in the same fashion.
"This is certainly a tremendous way to start the season," Head Coach Karen Ferguson said.
"Our defense was solid today, anchored by Gina Lower, and I thought that Monique also played extremely well," Ferguson continued.
Freshman Shannon Smyth gave Gjini a perfect feed sending her in all alone on Miami keeper Leigh Terry. Gjini tucked the ball inside the far post to put the Cards up 1-0 at 31:21.
Louisville controlled play in the first half, outshooting the RedHawks 12-5, placing five of the 12 shots on goal to Miami's one.
Junior Jamie Craft had two early scoring opportunities in the first three minutes, but was stopped both times by Terry. Smyth later saw her attempt from outside the 18 sail just high.
In the second half Laura Walker beat a Miami defender and the keeper to a long pass from freshman Jessica Mello, and with the keeper out of position chased down the loose ball and chipped it under the post from an impossible angle to give the Cards a 2-0 edge.
It was all Gjini on the third goal of the match as she carried the ball in on the end line on the left side, weaving through the Miami defense to the mouth of the goal where she buried her second tally of the game and the season.
"We lost a great senior class last season, but the incoming freshman this year are big time," Gjini noted.
U of L started four true freshman; Smyth, Mello, Mallory Lampson and keeper Deana Waintraub for the second consecutive game.
Offensively they have combined for a goal and three assists, and Waintraub notched her second straight shutout on Sunday, as she was forced to make just one save on the afternoon.
Gjini, who lead the league in shots last season, paced the Cards with seven shots against Miami, five of which were on goal. Craft added three shots and Lampson and Smyth each had two.
Louisville finished the match outshooting Miami 19-6. The win marks the first for the Cardinals against the RedHawks in five attempts.
The Cards will hit the road to play in a tournament in Birmingham next weekend where they will face former conference rivals Tulane on Friday at 6:00 p.m., and host UAB Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
