Louisville Hosts Lindsey Wilson in Thursday's Preseason Opener
August 14, 2013 | Men's Soccer
Aug 14, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 10th-ranked Louisville men's soccer team will kick off its three-game preseason slate against NAIA power Lindsey Wilson in a scrimmage match on Thursday at 7 p.m., ET at Cardinal Park and admission is free.
Due to the ongoing expansion project at Ulmer Stadium next door to Cardinal Park, only the south gate will be open for Thursday's match. Live scoring of the scrimmage will be available here at GoCards.com.
The Cardinals, who made their third straight NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2013 and finished 14-6-1 overall, officially reported to campus on Tuesday to open preseason camp. Thursday's game will begin an entertaining and busy weekend for the Louisville, which also hosts its inaugural Kickoff Banquet on Friday at the Galt House before playing Michigan in exhibition action on Sunday at 7 p.m., at Cardinal Park.
"We're looking at two things (against Lindsey Wilson)," said eighth year UofL head coach Ken Lolla. "The energy level of the group as a whole will be important. We aren't expecting the attacking to be completely organized, but keeping our shape and getting good pressure will be the focus."
Lindsey Wilson enters the preseason opener after advancing to the semifinal round of the 2012 NAIA Tournament and finishing with a 22-2 record overall. Led by head coach Ray Wells, who is entering his 24th season at the Columbia, Ky., school, the Blue Raiders are the all-time leader in NAIA tournament wins and have nine NAIA titles overall.
The Cardinals, featuring 17 newcomers to the program for the 2013 season, conducted its first preseason training session on Tuesday morning at McDonald's Field. After meetings and lunch, the team returned to the practice field later in the afternoon in preparation for the regular season opener on Aug. 30 at No. 25 Virginia.
"The energy level was very good and the intensity was excellent," said Lolla when asked about the Cardinals' first training session. "There's a lot of teaching and growth that will go on because of how many new players we have, but the team is very open to change and receive information."
To purchase 2013 season tickets or to become a 2014 founding season ticket holder at Lynn Stadium, call (502) 852-0120 or email tickets@gocards.com for more information.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
