Big Second Half Helps No. 13 Cardinals in Shutout Win at NC State

Sunday, October 23

Raleigh, NC

1:00 PM

University of Louisville

11-3-2, 5-1-1

NC State

5-10-0, 1-6-0

Louisville

NC State

Geoffrey Dee had a goal and an assist in Sunday's 3-0 win at NC State.

Big Second Half Helps No. 13 Cardinals in Shutout Win at NC State

October 23, 2016 | Men's Soccer

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Thiaw, Dee and Kubel score second half goals for Louisville, which clinches host spot for ACC quarterfinal

By: Garett Wall

RALEIGH, N.C. - Behind a trio of second half goals and another stellar defensive performance, the 13th-ranked Louisville men's soccer team confirmed its schedule for the opening week of the 2016 ACC Championship with Sunday afternoon's 3-0 road win over NC State at Dail Soccer Field.

Juniors Mohamed Thiaw, Geoffrey Dee and Tim Kubel each scored goals to lead the offense, while graduate goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland anchored the ninth shutout of the season for the Cardinals (11-3-2, 5-1-1 ACC). With Sunday's victory, Louisville clinched a first round bye in the ACC Championship and will host a quarterfinal final match at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 6. The pairings, schedule and times for the ACC Championship will be announced following the completion of the regular season next weekend.

"I am proud of the guys and their effort," said Louisville head coach Ken Lolla. "They were very focused on getting three points on the road to put us in the best possible position going into the final ACC regular season game."

Entering the weekend ranked No. 1 in the nation in game-winning goals, Thiaw added to the total with his seventh on Sunday scoring the first goal of the match early in the second half. After the two sides played an even opening half, Thiaw pushed the Cardinals ahead for good in the 52nd minute scoring on a header for his team-leading 11th goal of the season, the most for a Louisville player since Simon Bird's 12 goals in 2003. Dee was credited with his fourth assist of the season and Kubel contributed his team-leading ninth assist.

Nine minutes later, the Cardinals pushed their margin to 2-0 after Dee took advantage of a miscue by the Wolfpack (5-10-0, 1-6-0 ACC) and scored his second goal of the season. Louisville added a final tally in the final minute of action when Kubel gathered a turnover by the home side and connected for his first goal of 2016 and the 13th of his collegiate career.

Defensively, Cleveland turned away a trio of shots to complete the shutout. The nine shutouts are the most for Louisville in a single season since finishing the 2013 campaign with nine. Overall, UofL had a 13-7 advantage in shots, including a 6-3 edge in shots on-goal. The Cardinals also had a 6-2 cushion in corner kicks.

Up next, No. 13 Louisville will close the regular season at home with an ACC Atlantic Division showdown at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium against No. 8 Clemson on Friday at 7 p.m., ET. Prior to Friday's match, the Cardinals will honor their 2016 seniors.

Louisville will enter the final week of the regular season tied with Wake Forest atop the ACC Atlantic Division with 16 points. The Cardinals and Demon Deacons are joined by North Carolina for the best overall mark (5-1-1) in the conference.

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