Men's Soccer Previews 2019 Season at Media Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion and preseason 14th-ranked University of Louisville men's soccer team hosted its annual media day on Thursday afternoon, August 15, at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium.

Head coach John Michael Hayden, seniors Cody Cochran, Louka Masset and Lamine Conte, and junior Liam Bennett talked with reporters in advance of Friday's first exhibition match of the season against Lipscomb, which is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m., at Lynn Stadium.

"We're only four days into preseason, we're still trying to figure out what we have," Hayden said. "We have 27 guys on the roster. We brought in 10 guys total, two that we brought in the spring and eight that have joined us this fall, and what I can say is this is a talented group. It's exciting to be officially working with them."

Hayden is in his first year as head coach of the Cardinals after spending the last three years as an assistant coach with the program. UofL is coming off an 11-5-3 season in which the Cards captured their first ACC title in program history. Louisville has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championship five times in the last nine seasons, and has made the NCAA Tournament 11 of the last 12 seasons.

"That taste of success, it makes you want it even more, it makes you hungrier," Bennett said. "Last year, it didn't end up working out like that. An ACC championship is great, fantastic, we want to do it again. But that next step for the program and all us guys is to win a national championship. So to do that, we just have to be hungry, constantly."

The Cardinals return a total of seven starters from a season ago, including All-ACC Third Team selection Cherif Dieye. All total, 17 letter winners from last year are back for the 2019 season. The 10 newcomers include four transfers and six freshmen, three of which hail from the Bluegrass State. Junior transfer forward Emil Elveroth was named to the preseason watch list for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which honors the United Soccer Coaches National Players of the Year.

Louisville will compete in a trio of exhibition matches including Friday's game against Lipscomb, along with No. 2 Indiana on Aug. 21 in Westfield, Indiana, and against UAB on Aug. 24 at Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals will kick off the 2019 season against Cleveland State on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m., inside Lynn Stadium.

For the latest on Louisville men's soccer, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's social media accounts on Twitter @UofLMensSoccer, Facebook /UofLMensSoccer, and Instagram @UofLMensSoccer.

2019 SOCCER SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets and single match tickets for the 2019 University of Louisville soccer season are also on sale now through the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office. The 2019 Louisville soccer season tickets can be purchased online at GoCards.com/soccertickets.

Reserved chairback tickets are priced at $106 for adults $85 for faculty/staff, and family of four or more $85 a ticket. General admission/berm seating is priced at $53 for adults and families of four or more $40 per ticket.

Season tickets packages include all UofL men's and women's soccer regular season matches at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. For more information on Louisville soccer season tickets, visit GoCards.com/soccertickets, call 502-GO-CARDS or email tickets@gocards.com.

University of Louisville Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Liam Bennett

Cody Cochran

Lamine Conte

Cherif Dieye

Emil Elveroth

Louka Masset

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