Photo by: Chris Carter | Louisville Athletics
No. 5 Cardinals Host Virginia Tech Friday Night
September 14, 2023 | Men's Soccer
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville men's soccer team returns home to take on Virginia Tech on Friday night at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on ACC Network.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Louisville got an 89th-minute goal from Gage Guerra, his second of the match, to help secure a 2-2 draw at No. 4 Syracuse in the conference opener for both sides last Friday night.
The Cardinals are off to a fast start this fall at 4-0-1 and have done so against top competition. Four of Louisville's first five opponents were ranked in the top 20 of the preseason rankings, including Syracuse and Kentucky which were ranked first and third, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville and Virginia Tech will meet for the 21st time on Friday with the Hokies holding a 12-5-3 edge in the all-time series. Virginia Tech has won four straight over the Cardinals, including a 2-1 victory at Louisville in the opening round of the ACC Championship last November.
GUERRA ON OFFENSIVE SCORING BINGE
The reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year at Army, Gage Guerra has been dynamic in his first run in a Louisville uniform.
The junior forward scored the opening goal in wins over Bellarmine and UNC Greensboro, earning him ACC Offensive Player of the Week and College Soccer News Team of the Week honors. He followed that up with a brace against Kentucky and again at Syracuse for his second straight ACC Player of the Week honor.
Guerra is fourth nationally with six goals on the season, just one behind the national leaders. His six goals are the most by a Louisville player through five matches since at least 2001. No Cardinal has scored in five consecutive matches since at least 2001, a feat Guerra could accomplish if he finds the net on Friday against Virginia Tech.
CARDINALS MATCH BEST START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Louisville is off to a 4-0-1 start with wins over Saint Louis, Bellarmine, UNC Greensboro and Kentucky – three of which were ranked inside the top 20 in the preseason poll – and a draw at No. 4 Syracuse.
The 4-0-1 start matches the best start in the 45-year history of Louisville men's soccer, matching the 2008, 2009 and 2010 teams.
Louisville is one of four ACC teams still without a loss this fall.
LOUISVILLE SURGES INTO TOP FIVE
Louisville opened the 2023 season just on the outside of the United Soccer Coaches preseason rankings as one of 12 teams receiving votes outside of the top 25.
The Cardinals needed just one week to return to the top 25, coming in at No. 13 in the rankings following a win over No. 16 Tulsa in the season opener. Louisville then soared into the top 10 at No. 7 after a 3-0-0 start. Following a win over No. 19 Kentucky and draw at No. 4 Syracuse, the Cardinals moved up to No. 5.
The No. 5 ranking is Louisville's best since Nov. 13, 2018 when the Cardinals were also ranked fifth.
ROED CLIMBING CAREER ASSISTS CHART
Louisville midfielder Sander Roed had one of the top assist seasons in program history in 2022, tying for the seventh-most in program history with eight.
Roed notched his 15th career assist on the game-tying goal in the 89th minute at Syracuse, moving him into a tie for ninth all-time at Louisville.
Tim Kubel (2014-17) owns the program's career record with 26.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE MEN'S SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleMSOC.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
Louisville got an 89th-minute goal from Gage Guerra, his second of the match, to help secure a 2-2 draw at No. 4 Syracuse in the conference opener for both sides last Friday night.
The Cardinals are off to a fast start this fall at 4-0-1 and have done so against top competition. Four of Louisville's first five opponents were ranked in the top 20 of the preseason rankings, including Syracuse and Kentucky which were ranked first and third, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville and Virginia Tech will meet for the 21st time on Friday with the Hokies holding a 12-5-3 edge in the all-time series. Virginia Tech has won four straight over the Cardinals, including a 2-1 victory at Louisville in the opening round of the ACC Championship last November.
GUERRA ON OFFENSIVE SCORING BINGE
The reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year at Army, Gage Guerra has been dynamic in his first run in a Louisville uniform.
The junior forward scored the opening goal in wins over Bellarmine and UNC Greensboro, earning him ACC Offensive Player of the Week and College Soccer News Team of the Week honors. He followed that up with a brace against Kentucky and again at Syracuse for his second straight ACC Player of the Week honor.
Guerra is fourth nationally with six goals on the season, just one behind the national leaders. His six goals are the most by a Louisville player through five matches since at least 2001. No Cardinal has scored in five consecutive matches since at least 2001, a feat Guerra could accomplish if he finds the net on Friday against Virginia Tech.
CARDINALS MATCH BEST START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Louisville is off to a 4-0-1 start with wins over Saint Louis, Bellarmine, UNC Greensboro and Kentucky – three of which were ranked inside the top 20 in the preseason poll – and a draw at No. 4 Syracuse.
The 4-0-1 start matches the best start in the 45-year history of Louisville men's soccer, matching the 2008, 2009 and 2010 teams.
Louisville is one of four ACC teams still without a loss this fall.
LOUISVILLE SURGES INTO TOP FIVE
Louisville opened the 2023 season just on the outside of the United Soccer Coaches preseason rankings as one of 12 teams receiving votes outside of the top 25.
The Cardinals needed just one week to return to the top 25, coming in at No. 13 in the rankings following a win over No. 16 Tulsa in the season opener. Louisville then soared into the top 10 at No. 7 after a 3-0-0 start. Following a win over No. 19 Kentucky and draw at No. 4 Syracuse, the Cardinals moved up to No. 5.
The No. 5 ranking is Louisville's best since Nov. 13, 2018 when the Cardinals were also ranked fifth.
ROED CLIMBING CAREER ASSISTS CHART
Louisville midfielder Sander Roed had one of the top assist seasons in program history in 2022, tying for the seventh-most in program history with eight.
Roed notched his 15th career assist on the game-tying goal in the 89th minute at Syracuse, moving him into a tie for ninth all-time at Louisville.
Tim Kubel (2014-17) owns the program's career record with 26.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE MEN'S SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleMSOC.
Players Mentioned
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MSOC: IU Indy Highlights (8/29/25)
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