Cardinals Win 2-1 Over Columbus Crew Reserves
March 29, 2015 | Men's Soccer
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Louisville men's soccer team continued its spring season with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew reserves on Sunday at Obetz Training Center.
Andrew Brody's goal in the 81st minute proved to be the difference for the Cardinals, who improved to 1-1 in their spring season. Tim Kubel delivered the other goal for Louisville on a penalty kick late in the first half.
Creating scoring opportunities throughout the match, midfielder Daniel Johnson started things on the game-winner when he turned at midfield, dribbled out of the defensive pressure and attacked the back four of the Crew. Johnson then laid off a through ball to a streaking Brody down the left flank. Brody's first touch pushed the ball to his right foot and set him up to strike the game-winner through the legs of the diving Columbus goalkeeper in the 81st minute.
"It was a great opportunity to expose our players to a higher level," Louisville head coach Ken Lolla said of the match. "In addition to competing at that level, these games give our players the chance to be seen by MLS coaches."
Louisville's thin line-up featured a roster of just 12 field players, leaving nearly the full unit to compete for the full 90 minutes.
The Cardinals struck first on the penalty kick in the 42nd minute when Kubel calmly placed the shot to the lower right of the Crew goalkeeper. The PK was earned from a hand ball in the box created by a shot from Louisville forward Ethan Decker.
Louisville created several opportunities in the first half, most of which came from possession through the midfield and combination play in the attacking third. Decker was able to find dangerous positions to place shots on goal but was not able to convert them.
Columbus answered with a penalty kick of its own in the 44th minute. Louisville goalkeeper Theo Jamilloux, who was an authoritative presence throughout the match, narrowly missed a save on the penalty kick, which evened the match at 1-1 at halftime.
After the game winning goal in the 81st minute, the Cardinals managed the clock and shut down the Crew's chances, the best of which came in the final moments. A Crew forward was played in behind the defense and looked to chip a shot over Jamilloux, who came off his line toward the ball. Defender Sawyer Edwards cleared the ball off the goal-line to keep the lead and seal the win.
"We handled ourselves well today and created enough chances to win the game," said Lolla. "We most definitely grew because of the opportunity."
The Cardinals will continue their spring exhibition schedule at home against Akron on April 4. They will also host SIU Edwardsville on April 12 and Xavier on April 18.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
2015 Louisville Soccer Season Tickets
Season tickets for Louisville's second season at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium are now available. To obtain tickets for the 2015 soccer season, call Dan Cerwinske in the Louisville ticket office at (502) 852-0120 and place your $70 deposit. Ticket prices for the 2015 season will remain the same as the inaugural season and will start as low $45.
Season tickets for 2015 include every home match for both the men's and women's soccer programs. Men's home matches at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium will feature former Big East and American Conference rival Connecticut as well as in-state foe Kentucky. The women's team will once again host matches against the top programs in the ACC highlighted by 2014 College Cup winner Florida State and 21-time national champion North Carolina.
