Louisville Drops First Game of the Season, Falls to Kentucky

Friday, September 2

LOUISVILLE, KY

7:30 PM

University of Louisville

3-1-1

KENTUCKY

1-2-1

Kentucky

Louisville

Louisville Drops First Game of the Season, Falls to Kentucky

September 03, 2016 | Women's Soccer

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Cardinals fall for the first time this season

By: Kim Pemberton

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville (3-1-1) women's soccer team fell to Kentucky 3-1 on Friday night in Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals gave up two second half goals, falling for the first time this season.

"Tonight's result is certainly a difficult one because we were in control of the game for long periods of time," said head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes. "We came out strong and played very well in the first 30 minutes and as a byproduct of our performance, scored a great goal. We made a few little mistakes in a row that cost us the equalizer but heading into the break, we felt really good about how we were playing. The second half was back and forth and we gave up the winner on a set piece. I thought we played very well for long periods of time and the challenge for us moving forward is to learn how to win these games."

Louisville struck first at the 7:43 mark as Sarah Feola flicked one just out of Evangeline Soucie's, the Kentucky goalkeeper, reach, with assists from Jill Vetere and Gabbrielle Vincent.

Tanya Samarzich responded for the Wildcats 23 minutes later with a goal off a deflection from Louisville's keeper, Taylor Bucklin, just outside the 18-yard box.

The Cardinals had a chance to take the lead late in the first half as Niamh Nelson fired a shot on goal, but Soucie was able to make the stop, just one of her six saves of the night. Kentucky also missed two wide at the end of the first half to keep the score knotted at one going into halftime.

The Wildcats opened the second half scoring with a goal from Kaitlin Miller at the 50:49 mark. Miller was able to get a head on a cross sent in the box by Kelly Novak in order to give Kentucky the 2-1 lead.

Zoe Swift was able to net the insurance goal in the 75^th minute for Kentucky on a counter attack after a Louisville corner kick. Foster Ignoffo and Marissa Bosco assisted on the goal for the Wildcats.

The Cardinals made a change in their formation in order to garner more offensive chances near the end of the second half. Louisville was able to get the ball in the box and force the issue for the rest of the game. Vincent had a shot blocked on the goal line by a Kentucky defender off a corner, and also missed high on a free kick just outside the box.

The Cardinals were able to outshoot and corner the Wildcats 18-7 and 7-3 respectively, but were unable to find the back of the net enough to get the win as they took their first loss of the season.

"I am still confident in this group and we will look to rebound on Sunday against a very good Harvard team," said Ferguson-Dayes.

The Cardinals will be back in action Sunday, September 4^th at 7:30 against the Harvard Crimson at Lynn Stadium.

2016 LOUISVILLE SOCCER SEASON TICKET AND FAN EXPERIENCE INFORMATION
Season tickets and Fan Experience packages for Louisville's third season at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium are now available. To purchase your tickets for the 2016 soccer season, please call the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office at (502) GoCARDS or visit gocards.com/soccer-fep for more information.

Ticket prices for the 2016 season will remain the same as the inaugural season and start as low as $2 per person per game. Season tickets for 2016 include every regular season home match for both the men's and women's soccer programs.

FOLLOWING THE CARDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@ULwomenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/ulwomenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulwomenssoccer.