University of Louisville
1-1-0, 0-0-0
Xavier
2-0-1, 0-0-0
Louisville Edged by Xavier, 2-1
August 25, 2022 | Women's Soccer
Two second half goals push Musketeers past Cardinals
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women's soccer team (1-1-0) were undone by two second half goals as they fell to Xavier (2-0-1), 2-1, Thursday night at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead into the half but the Musketeers came out on the front foot in the second half and scored twice to secure the win.
Xavier had the first chance of the game in the early moments of the first half. A deflected pass was collected by the Musketeers and led to a breakaway. Emma Marcus took the ball into the box and fired off a shot but Sarah Hernandez got back for the Cards to deflect the shot and neutralize the threat.
The Cardinals first opportunity came in the 15th minute as Addie Chester found some space in the offensive third. She took a shot from distance that was corralled by the Musketeers keeper for the save.
In the 25th minute, the Cardinals had another opportunity and they took advantage on a free kick just outside the box. Maisie Whitsett lined up over the ball and her strike bent around the wall and back inside the right post for the goal. It was Whitsett's second goal of the season and gave the Cards a 1-0 lead at halftime.
After the shot for the Musketeers in the opening minutes of the half, the Cardinal defense limited them to just one shot the rest of the half.
The Musketeers upped the offensive attack in the second half as they got off a barrage of shots in the 50th minute. Erynn Floyd was up to the task as she saved three-straight shots from the Musketeers in a two-minute span.
Xavier capitalized a few minutes later after earning a corner kick in the 52nd minute. Rachel Dewey sent the ball into the box and Avery Lockwood headed it into the ground and it bounced past Floyd for the equalizer.
Louisville looked to regain the lead in the 57th minute after a great chance from Patricia Ward. She glided into the offensive third and fired a shot from outside the box that had to be saved away by the Xavier keeper.
The score stayed level until the 76th minute when the Musketeers took their first lead of the night. Simone Rivard-Roberts made a run up the right side into Xavier's attacking third and ripped a shot into the far top corner. It just beat the outstretched arm of Floyd and it gave Xavier the 2-1 lead.
The Cardinals pressed forward over the final 15 minutes but were unable to come up with the equalizer.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Sunday as they travel north to Highland Heights, Ky. Louisville will face off with Northern Kentucky on Sunday, August 28 at 7 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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Team Stats
Maisie Whitsett (2)
GOAL by LOU Whitsett, Maisie.
24:38
Avery Lockwood (1)
Assisted By: Rachel Dewey
GOAL by XAV Lockwood, Avery Assist by Dewey, Rachel.
51:54
Simone Rivard-Roberts (2)
GOAL by XAV Rivard-Roberts, Simone.
75:32
