University of Louisville
Connecticut (Semifinal)
Men's Soccer Falls to Connecticut in BIG EAST Semifinals
November 16, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 16, 2007
Storrs, Conn. - The Louisville men's soccer team fell in the BIG EAST tournament semi-finals to No.2 Connecticut 5-1 on Friday night at Morrone Stadium. The Cardinals fall to 10-6-4 overall and 6-4-2 in BIG EAST play while Connecticut improved to 17-2-1 overall and 9-2-1 in league play.
Up against a large and animated home crowd in support of Connecticut, the Cardinals struck first in the opening half with a goal aided by the 20 mph winds blowing through Morrone Stadium. Gerardo Chavez found Frank Jonke alone on the left side of the Huskies' goal for a shot that Jonke lightly chipped into the air. Connecticut goalie Josh Ford made a stretch to block the ball, but the wind sent the shot floating over his head to give Louisville the lead.
Ten minutes later the Huskies came up with the tying goal off a one-on-one effort from the BIG EAST leader in goals and points scored O'Brian White. White found himself alone five feet from the goal with only Cardinal goalie David Simolike to beat. Using a quick hesitation move, White caught Simolike off balance and tapped in the tying goal.
The first half came to a close with the score tied at 1-1 as the defensive play of both teams set the tone of the half. There were only seven shots total between both teams with Louisville attempting four, all on goal, and Connecticut three, with two on goal.
Second half play was no mirror image of the first. Connecticut abandoned their ball control style and began to attack the Cardinals' goal with a fury of shots. Husky Julius James scored the first goal of the second half off a hard shot into the back of the net. Mike Pezza continued the Connecticut attack in the 9th minute with a shot that used the ground to bounce over Simolike, and into the goal to give the Huskies a 3-1 advantage.
O'Brian matched his first half effort with another goal in a similar close quarter's situation. Being only five feet from the goal O'Brian was able to place the ball into the net for the Huskies. Leading 4-1, Connecticut was able to shut down the Cardinals offense the rest of the game. One more goal was added to the lead off a Dori Arad header in the left side of the goal for the Huskies to end at a 5-1 advantage.
Louisville finished the game with a 9-8 shot advantage. Connecticut finished with five saves to the Cardinals one. Louisville will now wait for their post season fate to be revealed Monday on ESPN News as they run down the field for the NCAA College Cup.
