Cardinals Drop Road Tilt to Dayton, 2-1

Thursday, August 24

Dayton, OH

8 PM

University of Louisville

0-2-1, 0-0-0

Dayton

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Louisville

Dayton

August 24, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Flyers scored the game-winning goal with less than five minutes in regulation

By: Matt Paras

DAYTON, Ohio — After conceding an early goal in the opening minutes, the University of Louisville women's soccer team fought back and was in line for a road draw against Dayton. The Flyers had other things in mind as they scored the game-winning goal with less than five minutes to play and the Cardinals fell, 2-1, at Baujan Field Thursday night.

Ravin Alexander scored the equalizer for the Cardinals in the 59th minute but the late Flyer goal gave them the edge in the game. The Cardinals held a 15-10 shot advantage and had a 10-4 lead in shots on goal.

Dayton opened the scoring early in the match with a goal in the seventh minute. Kyra Karfonta tallied her first goal of the season and gave the Flyers an early 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals had a good chance in the 14th minute when Maya Maxwell pounced on a Dayton turnover. She took control of the ball just outside the box and her first shot was blocked but she recovered for a follow up. Her second shot was low and with pace towards goal and the Flyers' keeper just pushed it away and out of play.

Addie Chester had a good look in the 29th minute after a great build up from the midfield. Chester took it on herself and dribbled straight into the box before cutting back and taking a shot from her left foot on net. After the cut, she was unable to get a ton of pace on the shot and it was saved by the Dayton keeper.

Another great opportunity for the Cardinals came in the 32nd minute. Alexander just entered the match and had a great cross into the middle of the box. After it was knocked down by a Dayton defender, Fiona Gaißer was first to the loose ball and quickly put a shot on net. The Flyers' keeper was up to the task and smother the ball to end the threat.

One final chance in the first half for the Cardinals came in the 40th minute after a pair of subs made some great plays. Morgan Bentley fired a left footed shot that was pushed away by the diving Flyer's keeper. Mackenzie Geigle was able to keep the ball in play and crossed it back to the middle of the box where the keeper just beat Alexander the ball to cover it up before the Cardinals put the equalizer away.

In the second half, the Cardinals continued to push the pace offensively in hopes of finding the equalizer.

The Flyers looked to double their lead in the 57th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick after a questionable hand ball call in the box. Malene Nielsen came on in net at the half and she was up for the challenge as she saved the Flyers PK attempt and kept the Cardinals within one.

Moments later, the Cardinals got their equalizer and it started with Chester. The Cardinals most active forward in the match was able to get by her defender and send a cross towards the near post. Gaißer was able to get to the ball first and flicked it back towards the middle of the six-yard box where Alexander finished the play off for the goal and tied the game at 1-1.

In the 86th minute, the Flyers got to a 50-50 ball inside the box and slotted home the go-ahead goal to secure the win.

The Cardinals head back to campus and will open a three-game homestand this weekend. The Cardinals open the homestand this Sunday, August 27, against Northern Kentucky. The match is set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET from Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium and it will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.