Cards Come Back in Final Minutes to Secure 3-2 Win in Battle of the Bluegrass

Monday, August 24

Lexington, KY

7:30 PM

University of Louisville

2-0-0, 0-0-0

University of Kentucky

0-1-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Louisville	0	3	3
Kentucky	2	0	2

Cards Come Back in Final Minutes to Secure 3-2 Win in Battle of the Bluegrass

August 24, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Kennedy Knisley

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Giacomo Zizza scored twice in the final eight minutes, including the game-winning goal with eight seconds remaining, as Louisville men's soccer rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Kentucky, 3-2, Monday night at Bell Soccer Complex.

The Cardinals (2-0-0) trailed 2-0 at halftime after Kentucky (0-1-1) scored in the 18th and the 31st minutes.

Louisville came out firing in the second half, generating 16 shots after halftime compared to four from the Wildcats. Andrés Escudero Martín put the Cardinals on the board in the 56th minute, converting a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Zizza leveled the match in the 83rd minute, firing home his third goal of the season to make it 2-2. Just seven minutes later, Zizza found the back of the net again on a header assist from Ryan Quintos, scoring in the final seconds to complete the comeback and send the Cards home with the Battle of the Bluegrass victory.

Louisville finished with a 22-14 advantage in shots and put 10 attempts on frame compared to four for Kentucky.

Nathaniel Abraham made two saves in goal for Louisville to earn his second win of the season.

Zizza led the Cardinals with five shots, including four on target, while Escudero Martín added two shots and a goal. Braydon Sellers recorded four shots, and Quintos and Nicholas Parham each added two.

The Cards will head home for a three-game homestand, starting with a Thursday match against Lipscomb. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. ET at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium and will be broadcast on ACCNX.