Monday, August 24
Lexington, KY
7:30 PM
University of Louisville
at
University of Kentucky
Photo by: David Sutherland | Louisville Athletics
Cardinals Set for Battle of the Bluegrass at Kentucky
August 23, 2026 | Men's Soccer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville men's soccer team hits the road Monday for the first rivalry matchup of the 2026 season, traveling to Lexington to face Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Bell Soccer Complex and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Cardinals enter the rivalry matchup 1-0-0 after opening the season with a 2-1 victory over IU Indy on Aug. 20 at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. Louisville controlled the match, holding an 18-5 advantage in shots and a 13-1 edge in corner kicks.
Transfer midfielder Giacomo Zizza made an immediate impression in his Louisville debut, scoring both goals in the victory over IU Indy. Zizza opened the scoring in the sixth minute before converting a penalty kick in the 23rd minute to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. The two-goal performance marked Zizza's second collegiate brace. He recorded four goals and a team-best nine assists in 20 appearances at Lehigh in 2025 before transferring to Louisville.
SERIES HISTORY
Monday marks the 42nd meeting between Louisville and Kentucky. The Wildcats hold an 18-17-6 advantage in the all-time series, while the teams are tied 7-7-2 in matches played in Lexington.
The Cards and Wildcats played to a 2-2 draw in last year's Battle of the Bluegrass on Sept. 23 at Lynn Stadium. Louisville took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a 47th-minute goal from Nicholas Parham before Kentucky scored twice to take the lead. Quintos provided the equalizer in the 89th minute, heading home a corner kick to secure the draw.
Louisville finished that match with a 15-8 advantage in shots and earned nine corner kicks compared to Kentucky's one.
The Cardinals have won two of the last five meetings, including a 1-0 victory at Kentucky in 2024. Louisville head coach John Michael Hayden is 3-3-1 against the Wildcats during his Louisville tenure.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Kentucky enters Monday's match 0-0-1 after opening its season with a draw. The Wildcats are led by head coach Johan Cedergren, who is in his 15th season at Kentucky and owns a 156-74-49 record with the program.
UP NEXT
Following Monday's rivalry match, Louisville returns home for a pair of matches at Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals host Lipscomb on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. before welcoming Indiana to Louisville on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
The Cardinals enter the rivalry matchup 1-0-0 after opening the season with a 2-1 victory over IU Indy on Aug. 20 at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. Louisville controlled the match, holding an 18-5 advantage in shots and a 13-1 edge in corner kicks.
Transfer midfielder Giacomo Zizza made an immediate impression in his Louisville debut, scoring both goals in the victory over IU Indy. Zizza opened the scoring in the sixth minute before converting a penalty kick in the 23rd minute to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. The two-goal performance marked Zizza's second collegiate brace. He recorded four goals and a team-best nine assists in 20 appearances at Lehigh in 2025 before transferring to Louisville.
SERIES HISTORY
Monday marks the 42nd meeting between Louisville and Kentucky. The Wildcats hold an 18-17-6 advantage in the all-time series, while the teams are tied 7-7-2 in matches played in Lexington.
The Cards and Wildcats played to a 2-2 draw in last year's Battle of the Bluegrass on Sept. 23 at Lynn Stadium. Louisville took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a 47th-minute goal from Nicholas Parham before Kentucky scored twice to take the lead. Quintos provided the equalizer in the 89th minute, heading home a corner kick to secure the draw.
Louisville finished that match with a 15-8 advantage in shots and earned nine corner kicks compared to Kentucky's one.
The Cardinals have won two of the last five meetings, including a 1-0 victory at Kentucky in 2024. Louisville head coach John Michael Hayden is 3-3-1 against the Wildcats during his Louisville tenure.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Kentucky enters Monday's match 0-0-1 after opening its season with a draw. The Wildcats are led by head coach Johan Cedergren, who is in his 15th season at Kentucky and owns a 156-74-49 record with the program.
UP NEXT
Following Monday's rivalry match, Louisville returns home for a pair of matches at Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals host Lipscomb on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. before welcoming Indiana to Louisville on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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