Monday, September 21
LOUISVILLE, KY
6:00 PM
University of Louisville
vs
Belmont University
Photo by: Daniel Hanzsche | Louisville Athletics
No. 15 Louisville Closes Home Stand with Belmont
September 20, 2026 | Men's Soccer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The No. 15 University of Louisville men's soccer team returns to Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium Monday, Sept. 21, welcoming Belmont for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff on ACCNX.
The Cardinals enter the matchup unbeaten through their first eight matches of the season, carrying a 6-0-2 record into Monday's contest. Louisville has won six matches while earning draws against No. 14 Indiana and Boston College, and has outscored its opponents 19-10 on the season.
Louisville has also controlled the offensive side of the game throughout its unbeaten start, outshooting each of its first eight opponents by a combined 136-72 margin. The Cardinals hold a 57-23 advantage in shots on goal and have generated 55 corner kicks.
The Cards are coming off a 3-3 draw against Boston College on Friday. Noah De Blasis, Andrés Escudero Martín and Braydon Sellers each found the back of the net, with Sellers' 83rd-minute goal completing the comeback and securing a point for Louisville.
Giacomo Zizza continues to lead the Louisville attack with five goals and two assists for 12 points. The junior midfielder has recorded three game-winning goals and leads the Cardinals with 28 shots and 16 shots on goal. Zizza also ranks among the ACC leaders in goals, points, game-winning goals, shots on goal per game and points per game.
Escudero has added four goals through the first eight matches, including goals against No. 14 Indiana, California and Boston College. The sophomore forward also converted a penalty kick against Kentucky and has registered nine shots on goal this season.
Freshman Emil Thor has emerged as another offensive threat for the Cardinals. Thor scored twice in a 25-second span during Louisville's 3-2 ACC victory over California on Sept. 13, marking his first two collegiate goals. He also recorded an assist against Boston College and enters Monday with five points.
SERIES HISTORY
Belmont enters Monday with a 3-3-1 record and is coming off a 4-1 victory over Southern Indiana on Friday. The Bruins have scored 16 goals through seven matches while allowing 13. Paul Claes Nielsen leads Belmont with three goals and an assist, while Nate Mefford has three goals and an .800 shots-on-goal percentage. John McDowell has added two goals and a team-high three assists.
Monday's meeting marks the 10th all-time matchup between Louisville and Belmont. The Cardinals hold an 8-0-1 advantage in the series and are 5-0-1 against the Bruins at Lynn Stadium.
The teams played to a scoreless draw last season on Oct. 7, marking the first draw in series history. Louisville has won the other four of the last five meetings, including a 6-0 victory in 2016 and a 3-0 win in 2019.
Head coach John Michael Hayden is 1-0-1 against Belmont during his Louisville tenure and enters his eighth season at the helm with a 63-49-21 career record.
UP NEXT
Following Monday's match, Louisville will return to ACC play Friday, Sept. 25, traveling to Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. This marks the Cards' first conference road match of the season which will be broadcast on ACCNX.
The Cardinals enter the matchup unbeaten through their first eight matches of the season, carrying a 6-0-2 record into Monday's contest. Louisville has won six matches while earning draws against No. 14 Indiana and Boston College, and has outscored its opponents 19-10 on the season.
Louisville has also controlled the offensive side of the game throughout its unbeaten start, outshooting each of its first eight opponents by a combined 136-72 margin. The Cardinals hold a 57-23 advantage in shots on goal and have generated 55 corner kicks.
The Cards are coming off a 3-3 draw against Boston College on Friday. Noah De Blasis, Andrés Escudero Martín and Braydon Sellers each found the back of the net, with Sellers' 83rd-minute goal completing the comeback and securing a point for Louisville.
Giacomo Zizza continues to lead the Louisville attack with five goals and two assists for 12 points. The junior midfielder has recorded three game-winning goals and leads the Cardinals with 28 shots and 16 shots on goal. Zizza also ranks among the ACC leaders in goals, points, game-winning goals, shots on goal per game and points per game.
Escudero has added four goals through the first eight matches, including goals against No. 14 Indiana, California and Boston College. The sophomore forward also converted a penalty kick against Kentucky and has registered nine shots on goal this season.
Freshman Emil Thor has emerged as another offensive threat for the Cardinals. Thor scored twice in a 25-second span during Louisville's 3-2 ACC victory over California on Sept. 13, marking his first two collegiate goals. He also recorded an assist against Boston College and enters Monday with five points.
SERIES HISTORY
Belmont enters Monday with a 3-3-1 record and is coming off a 4-1 victory over Southern Indiana on Friday. The Bruins have scored 16 goals through seven matches while allowing 13. Paul Claes Nielsen leads Belmont with three goals and an assist, while Nate Mefford has three goals and an .800 shots-on-goal percentage. John McDowell has added two goals and a team-high three assists.
Monday's meeting marks the 10th all-time matchup between Louisville and Belmont. The Cardinals hold an 8-0-1 advantage in the series and are 5-0-1 against the Bruins at Lynn Stadium.
The teams played to a scoreless draw last season on Oct. 7, marking the first draw in series history. Louisville has won the other four of the last five meetings, including a 6-0 victory in 2016 and a 3-0 win in 2019.
Head coach John Michael Hayden is 1-0-1 against Belmont during his Louisville tenure and enters his eighth season at the helm with a 63-49-21 career record.
UP NEXT
Following Monday's match, Louisville will return to ACC play Friday, Sept. 25, traveling to Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. This marks the Cards' first conference road match of the season which will be broadcast on ACCNX.
Players Mentioned
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