Louisville Opens Season at Miami on Thursday

Thursday, September 17

Coral Gables, FL

7 p.m.

University of Louisville

Miami

Nadege L'Esperance Louisville Women's Soccer

September 16, 2020 | Women's Soccer

Live Stats Watch Game Notes Media Guide History

The Cardinals and the Hurricanes will begin play at 7 p.m. ET.

By: Nick Evans

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville women's soccer opens the delayed 2020 campaign at Miami on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

Last season, the Cardinals went 13-5-2, which tied the second most wins in single season history. They went 5-3-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

With a 1-0 win over Lipscomb in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Louisville reached the second round for just the second time in program history.

This year, the Cardinals feature six seniors, led by midfielder Emina Ekic and goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos, both of which were selected to the 2020 Women's Soccer Preseason All-ACC Team.

Ekic was named All-ACC first team the last two seasons. She started all 20 matches a year ago and led the team with eight goals and eight assists. She recorded five game-winning goals, which ranked first on the team, third in the ACC, and 27th in the nation. She has 16 career assists, which ranks second all-time in Louisville program history.

Kouzelos was named All-ACC second team a season ago after starting all 20 matches. She concluded the year with a 13-5-2 record and led the team to 10 shutouts, ranking second in team history. She finished the season with a career-high 51 saves on the year and her 0.87 goals against average ranked second all-time in program history.

The remaining seniors are midfielder Nadege L'Esperance, midfielder Taylor Kerwin, goalkeeper Lana Batson and forward Amari Hopkins.

L'Esperance has played in 49 games in her career and has one goal and three assists. Last season, she recorded an assist against Boston College. Kerwin has played in 50 games and has three goals and three assists. A season ago, she had a goal against Dayton and an assist versus Eastern Michigan.

Head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes is entering her 21^st season at the helm. With a 182-161-37 record, she is the winningest coach in program history. She has led the Cardinals to back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament and the 25 wins over the last two seasons is the second most over a two-year span in program history.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES

Miami opened the season with a 4-0 loss to Clemson in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday. Clemson scored back-to-back goals 32 minutes into the game and cruised to the win as they outshot the Hurricanes, 20-2.

Junior Taylor Speaks played all 90 minutes in goal and finished the match with five saves.

Last season, the Hurricanes finished 6-9-2 overall and 2-7-1 in ACC play. After graduating five seniors a season ago, they feature a quartet of seniors with Morgan Asmussen, Lexi Castellano-Mugica, Tia Dupont and Michelle Giamportone.

Series History - UofL is 4-1-1 all-time against Miami and all six matches have taken place since the Cardinals joined the ACC. Louisville is 1-1-1 in Coral Gables, Fla., after recording a 1-0 win last October.

The Last Meeting (Oct. 27, 2019) - Emina Ekic's goal early in the first half proved to be the game-winner as No. 12 Louisville held off Miami for a 1-0 road victory. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in the sixth minute. Ekic dribbled the ball through several defenders into the box and went one-on-one with the keeper and sent a left-footed shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals held most of the possession in the half, Ekic had another shot in the 12^th minute that was saved. Then in the 17^th minute, center back Niamh Nelson was issued a red card and had to leave the game. The Cardinals would have to play the final 73 minutes with 10 players on the field.

GAME FACTS
Date: Thursday, Sept. 17
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Site: Coral Gables, Fla.
Video: ACCNX
Last Meeting: W, 1-0 (Oct. 27, 2019 at Miami)
Series History: 4-1-1 (3-0 Home, 1-1-1 Away)
Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Florida State

For the latest information on Louisville women's soccer, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @ULWomensSoccer or on Facebook at facebook.com/ulwomenssoccer.