Cardinals Top NC State 2-1 on Sunday

Sunday, October 21

Raleigh, NC

1:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

12-4-0, 6-3-0ACC

North Carolina State

10-5-3, 3-4-2ACC

Louisville

NC State

Emina Ekic brings the ball up the pitch during the game against Virginia at Lynn Stadium on October 4, 2018.

Photo by: Adam Creech | Louisville Athletics

October 21, 2018 | Women's Soccer

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Emina Ekic scores the game-winner for the Cardinals

By: Kim Pemberton

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The University of Louisville women's soccer team defeated NC State 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Dail Soccer Stadium. Sophomore Emina Ekic scored the game-winner for the Cardinals, helping them to secure a spot in the ACC Tournament.

"Obviously this is a massive three points on the road for us today," said head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes. "NC State is an outstanding team and I'm very proud of our team. It was a great team win and it secures us a spot in the ACC Tournament! We remain very focused on finishing the regular season strong as we prepare for Virginia Tech on Thursday night."

Louisville improves to 12-4 on the year and 6-3 in ACC play. NC State falls to 10-5-3 on the year and 3-4-2 in league play.

The first half was tightly contested, Louisville had a chance early with a shot inside the penalty box but it hit the post. Louisville was able to strike first off a set piece in the 29^th minute. Allison Whitfield placed her corner kick inside the box and Maisie Whitsett headed the ball in for a 1-0 Cardinal lead.

Louisville held a 3-2 shot advantage in the first half and both teams finished with two corner kicks. Gabby Kouzelos finished with one save while the Wolf Pack's Sydney Wootten finished with one as well.

The Cardinals wasted no time in the second half to get on the board. Taylor Kerwin battled a defender and sent a cross inside the box. Nadege L'Esperance headed the cross down which deflected off a NC State defender and landed on the foot of Ekic. The sophomore blasted a shot past the keeper for a 2-0 lead in the 50^th minute.

The Wolfpack continued to press forward and it paid off 16 minutes later. NC State's Courtney Walker found the back of the net in the 66^th minute to cut the Louisville lead to 2-1.

NC State applied pressured offensively, looking for the equalizer. The Cardinal defense held tough while holding off a pair of NC State corners in the final two minutes of regulation for the win.

The Cardinals finished the match with a 9-5 advantage in shots while NC State held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Kouzelos finished with two saves while Wootten finished with three.

The Cardinals will wrap up the season on Thursday, Oct. 25 as they host Virginia Tech at Lynn Stadium. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. The ACC Tournament will begin on Sunday, Oct, 28 and the top eight teams will advance. The top four seeds will host quarterfinals at campus sites on Oct. 28.