Cardinals Fall to Xavier in Final Spring Match
April 19, 2015 | Men's Soccer
By Corey Goodlett
GoCards.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Xavier on Saturday afternoon at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium, capping the five-match slate of spring exhibitions.
The Cardinals finished their spring season with a 1-3-1 record overall while integrating mid-year roster additions with returning players. The visiting Musketeers scored a goal in each half to secure Saturday's victory.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, the Cardinals came out on the offensive to begin the final 45 minutes. Though they struggled to create offense throughout, the Cardinals seemed to seize the momentum for a brief time at the beginning of the half.
In the 61st minute, Louisville midfielder Tim Kubel fired a quality opportunity high, narrowly missing off the crossbar. Xavier answered just seconds later when Musketeers midfielder Alex Ridsdale sent a kick past the Louisville defense and into the upper right corner of the net, halting the early Louisville push.
The first half saw Xavier take control of the match with a goal in the 27th minute by Walker Andriot. The score started with Andriot picking up a loose ball and creating a one-on-one situation with Louisville goalkeeper Theo Jamilloux. Andriot fired a shot by Jamilloux and into the lower left corner of the net.
The Cardinals had chances to answer Xavier's first half goal, but failed to connect on a number of scoring chances. Louisville cut deep into the Xavier defense several times, but sailed a pair of shots high over the cage. The Cardinals' best opportunity of the opening frame came just before the half, when, in the 45th minute, midfielder Kubel sent a beautiful cross to midfielder Daniel Johnson, who narrowly missed as the shot missed high over the upper right corner of the goal.
"I think today was very similar to how the spring went as a whole," Louisville head coach Ken Lolla said after the game. "A couple of chances we give up and end up losing the game because of it."
Lolla did note the growth and development the team enjoyed through the spring, which will pay dividends in the fall.
"I think there were a lot of positives to take out of the spring; a lot of growth, a lot of guys who wouldn't have normally gotten opportunities to play did, as well as seeing if guys could handle it," Lolla explained. "I think we found out a lot this spring, which was really good in preparation for next season."
With the spring now behind them, the Cardinals head into the offseason set to make preparations for next season. The 2015 men's soccer season will kick off in August, while the fall schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
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.
