Thursday, August 31
LOUISVILLE, KY
7:30 PM
University of Louisville
0-3-2, 0-0-0
1
vs
2
Illinois
3-0-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Illinois
1
1
2
Louisville
0
1
1
Cards Comeback Fall Short Against Illinois, 2-1
August 31, 2023 | Women's Soccer
The Cardinals scored late in the second half but could not find the equalizer before the end of regulation
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville women's soccer team faced a 2-0 deficit in the second half and had a late goal spark a rally but the Cardinals ran out of time and fell to Illinois, 2-1, Thursday night at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. Savina Zamborini scored her first goal of the season and the Cardinals hit the crossbar on two separate occasions but were unable to overcome the deficit.
Illinois started the match on the front foot and had a number of opportunities in their attacking third. The Cardinals defense stood tall until the Illini took advantage of a deflection in the 12th minute. Makena Silber hopped on the deflection and slotted a pass across to Sydney Stephens who finished it off for the opening goal of the match.
The Cardinals best chance in the first half was in the 31st minute off of a corner kick. Neither team gained possession right away as the ball was sent into the box until it came out towards Betsy Huckaby. She laced a shot that deflected off the crossbar and Illinois cleared the rebound out of harm's way.
Illinois took a 1-0 lead into the half and then doubled the lead early in the second half.
In the 59th minute, Makala Wood took control of a loose ball and fed it up to Lia Howard. Howard turned towards goal after receiving the pass and snuck her shot low and into the back of the net for the goal.
Facing a two-goal deficit, the Cardinals pushed forward into their attacking third to cut into the lead. The Cards almost got a goal in the 77th minute but were denied by the crossbar once again. Zamborini crossed it over to Emma Kate Schroll and her one-timer lifted just a bit high and it deflected off the bar. Mackenzie Geigle tried to cross the rebound back into the middle of the box but the Illini cleared it away.
The Cardinals did get the goal in the 83rd minute courtesy of Zamborini. She poached a loose ball and after a few dribbles up field, she put a shot from distance on goal. It kept rising and just got by the Illinois keeper to cut the deficit to 2-1.
That was all the Cardinals could muster as the Illini were able to keep the Cards at bay and they sealed the victory.
Erynn Floyd was strong in net for the Cardinals as she accumulated a season-high seven saves on the night. It was one save shy of her career high of eight that she had against Duke last season.
The Cardinals will stay at home as they finish off their current three-game homestand this weekend. Louisville welcomes Central Michigan to Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium for a Sunday evening tilt on September 3. The Cardinals and Chippewas will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Illinois started the match on the front foot and had a number of opportunities in their attacking third. The Cardinals defense stood tall until the Illini took advantage of a deflection in the 12th minute. Makena Silber hopped on the deflection and slotted a pass across to Sydney Stephens who finished it off for the opening goal of the match.
The Cardinals best chance in the first half was in the 31st minute off of a corner kick. Neither team gained possession right away as the ball was sent into the box until it came out towards Betsy Huckaby. She laced a shot that deflected off the crossbar and Illinois cleared the rebound out of harm's way.
Illinois took a 1-0 lead into the half and then doubled the lead early in the second half.
In the 59th minute, Makala Wood took control of a loose ball and fed it up to Lia Howard. Howard turned towards goal after receiving the pass and snuck her shot low and into the back of the net for the goal.
Facing a two-goal deficit, the Cardinals pushed forward into their attacking third to cut into the lead. The Cards almost got a goal in the 77th minute but were denied by the crossbar once again. Zamborini crossed it over to Emma Kate Schroll and her one-timer lifted just a bit high and it deflected off the bar. Mackenzie Geigle tried to cross the rebound back into the middle of the box but the Illini cleared it away.
The Cardinals did get the goal in the 83rd minute courtesy of Zamborini. She poached a loose ball and after a few dribbles up field, she put a shot from distance on goal. It kept rising and just got by the Illinois keeper to cut the deficit to 2-1.
That was all the Cardinals could muster as the Illini were able to keep the Cards at bay and they sealed the victory.
Erynn Floyd was strong in net for the Cardinals as she accumulated a season-high seven saves on the night. It was one save shy of her career high of eight that she had against Duke last season.
The Cardinals will stay at home as they finish off their current three-game homestand this weekend. Louisville welcomes Central Michigan to Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium for a Sunday evening tilt on September 3. The Cardinals and Chippewas will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
Team Stats
ILL
LOU
Goals
2
1
Shots
13
16
Shots on Goal
9
5
Saves
3
7
Corners
7
7
Fouls
6
4
Scoring Plays
Sydney Stephens (1)
Assisted By: Makena Silber
GOAL by ILL Stephens, Sydney Assist by Silber, Makena.
10:52
Lia Howard (2)
Assisted By: Makala Woods
GOAL by ILL Howard, Lia Assist by Woods, Makala.
58:01
Savina Zamborini (1)
GOAL by LOU Zamborini, Savina.
82:50
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerF/MF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's SoccerMF
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