No. 20 Cards fall to No. 4 North Carolina 3-0

Saturday, September 21

LOUISVILLE, KY

7:30 p.m.

University of Louisville

7-1-0, 0-1-0

North Carolina

8-0-0, 1-0-0

North Carolina

Louisville

September 21, 2019 | Women's Soccer

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North Carolina hands Louisville first loss of the season

By: Chandler Brandes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 20th-ranked Cardinals could not overcome a three-goal deficit on Saturday night at Lynn Stadium, falling to No. 4 North Carolina 3-0 in the conference opener. The Cardinals drop to 7-1 on the season and 0-1 in the ACC while the Tar Heels improve to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in league play.

It was back-and-forth between the Cardinals and the Tar Heels during the first half, with Louisville holding a slight 51-49 advantage in possession. Louisville was awarded a penalty kick in the 19^th minute of play. Emina Ekic's kick bounced off the cross bar down on the line and then bounced out. Seconds later Brooklynn Rivers collected the ball inside the box and her shot hit the cross bar.

The lone goal of the first half was scored by Alessia Russo, giving the Tar Heels an early lead in the 21st minute. After 45 minutes of action, Louisville led North Carolina 4-3 on shots. Tar Heel keeper Marz Josephson finished with three saves while Gabby Kouzelos recorded one.

North Carolina doubled their advantage in the 66th minute after a goal from Alexis Strickland, and Russo scored her second of the night in the 80th minute to extended the Tar Heels' lead to 3-0. The Tar Heels outshot the Cardinals 7-3 in the second half.

Between the posts, Kouzelos concluded the game with four saves and UNC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey registered one. Ekic led the team with three shots while Rivers dished out a pair of attempts.

The Cardinals hit the road to continue conference play at Syracuse on Thursday, Sept. 26. The match is set for 6 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium.