University of Louisville
#5 NOTRE DAME
Women's Soccer Topped by #5 Notre Dame
September 25, 2005 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 25, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Fifth-ranked Notre Dame scored twice in the closing minutes of the first half en route to a 3-0 win over the University of Louisville in women's soccer action on Sunday at Cardinal Park.
Louisville is now 7-3-0 overall and they fall to 2-1-0 in the BIG EAST, but despite the loss, Head Coach Karen Ferguson was pleased with the effort.
"I am extremely proud of our team today. We executed our game plan well and battled as well as we could."
The Irish (9-1-0, 3-0-0 BIG EAST) took a 1-0 lead at the 43:33 mark when a scramble in front off of a corner kick resulted in an own goal.
A yellow card was issued to U of L's Amy Seng just outside the 18 in the final minute of the first half, and on the ensuing free kick Notre Dame freshman Kerri Hanks scored her 16th goal of the season for a 2-0 advantage.
NCAA 2004 Player of the Year Katie Thorlakson, who was hounded throughout the match by U of L's Jen Avila, found a loose ball off a corner and scored her ninth goal of the season at 49:45 for the final margin.
The Cardinals launched 10 shots against Notre Dame, seven of which were on goal, the highest totals for any opponent against the Irish this season.
Jamie Craft and Monique Gjini each had three shots for the Cards. Notre Dame had 17 shots for the match, nine of which were on goal, paced by Hanks with five.
"For our program to be able to play the defending national champs is a great measuring stick for our program to see where we need to be. We competed, played with pride, and the University of Louisville is headed in the right direction," added Ferguson.
The Cards will next play at Providence on Friday before completing the road trip at UCONN, Ferguson's alma mater, on Sunday.
Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET.
