University of Louisville
OHIO STATE
No. 22 Cards Blank Previously Undefeated Buckeyes 2-0 Sunday
September 16, 2007 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 16, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior Shannon Smyth tallied the game-winning goal and assisted on another, as the 22nd-ranked University of Louisville women's soccer team handed Ohio State its first loss of the season by blanking the Buckeyes 2-0 on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Park.
"We learned some things about ourselves in the loss at Wake Forest and put in a lot of time and effort into addressing those things in practice this week," Head Coach Karen Ferguson observed.
"Our team defense set up some great scoring opportunities and was critical in helping us pick up the win."
Smyth put a shot on net under three minutes in, but it was turned away by OSU (6-1-0) keeper Lauren Robertson.
The Buckeyes countered when Lara Dickenmann nearly tucked a shot from outside the 18 under the crossbar, but Cardinal (5-1-0) keeper Joanna Haig tipped it high.
In the 15th minute Louisville freshman Meredith Tolley sent a ball down the right flank, springing Smyth free and placing her in alone on Robertson. Smyth took a dribble and tucked a shot under a sprawling Robertson into the net for a 1-0 U of L lead.
The teams went into half with shots even at seven apiece and the Cards holding a 1-0 advantage on the scoreboard. Each keeper made two saves in the first half.
The Buckeyes, who had outscored their opponents 14-3 coming in, tried to increase pressure on the Cardinals in the second half, but Louisville was up to the task defensively. Senior Jen Avila had to tough assignment of man-marking Dickenmann, OSU leading scorer, whose three goals this season have all been game winners. Dickenmann was limited to just two shots on the afternoon.
In the 85th minute Smyth worked in on the left side and sent a perfect cross to freshman Kelsey Hunyadi, who drilled her third goal of the season into the back of the net to seal the win.
Ohio State made a late push to get on the scoreboard, but Haig made a pair of saves in the final minute, including a spectacular diving stop, to secure her third shutout of the season. It was her 11th of her career, second on the Cardinal all-time list. Haig finished the match with five saves.
The Cardinals will open BIG EAST play as they visit rival Cincinnati on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET. U of L has won four straight against the Bearcats. The final non conference match of the season will take place on Sunday when Kentucky pays a visit to Cardinal Park for the first time since 1995. The Cards topped the Cats 1-0 in double overtime last season.
