Louisville Falls on the Road to Xavier, 2-0

Sunday, August 20

Cincinnati, OH

7:30 PM

University of Louisville

0-1-1

Xavier

2-0-0

Louisville

Xavier

Madison Ellsworth kicks the ball during the game against Indiana State at Lynn Stadium on August 17.

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

August 20, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Cardinals were unable to overcome a penalty kick from the first half

By: Matt Paras

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The University of Louisville women's soccer team dropped its first road contest of the season, 2-0, to Xavier Sunday night at Corcoran Field. The Musketeers scored a goal in each half to clinch the win.

The Cardinals held the shot advantage on the evening, 9-8, with Ravin Alexander and Addie Chester leading the way with two shots each. Erynn Floyd earned her second-straight start in goal and she made four saves against Xavier.

Not much action from either side over the opening 20 minutes of the game as the Cardinals had the only two shots of the game. Alexander almost gave the Cardinals the lead in the 14th minute but it just sailed over the bar.

Xavier did not have a shot in the run of play until the 23rd minute when the Musketeers were given a penalty kick after a foul inside the box. Ella Rogers just got it by the diving hands of Floyd and gave the Musketeers the 1-0 advantage.

Louisville upped the pressure right after the goal and had two good chances in the next few minutes of play.

Off the ensuing restart, Chester got an opportunity just inside the box and her shot deflected off a Xavier defender and then went off the post and deflected wide. Moments later, Savina Zamborini got to a loose ball just outside the box and got off a shot with pace but it was saved by the Xavier keeper.

Zamborini's shot would be the last by either team in the first half and Xavier took a 1-0 lead into the half.

In the second half, Xavier doubled its lead with a goal in the 60th minute. The Musketeers held a 2-0 lead with just over 30 minutes left in the match.

One of Louisville's best chances of the match came in the 73rd minute when Fiona Gaißer collected a cross and got around a Musketeer defender. She got a shot off but it went just wide of the far post.

In the 75th minute, the Cardinals received a free kick from about 25 yards out. Lucy Roberts stood over the ball and took a chance at goal and it was just high over the bar.

The Cardinals return to campus but will be back on the road to the state of Ohio once again for another road game. The Cardinals will head to Dayton to take on the Flyers on Thursday, August 24. Thursday's match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+.