Friday, September 25
Pittsburgh, PA
7:00 PM
University of Louisville
at
University of Pittsburgh
Photo by: David Sutherland | Louisville Athletics
Cardinals Take Unbeaten Start to No. 20 Pitt
September 24, 2026 | Men's Soccer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 16 University of Louisville men's soccer team takes its unbeaten start to the road Friday night when the Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh to face No. 20 Pitt at Ambrose Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
Louisville enters the matchup with a 7-0-2 overall record and a 1-0-1 mark in ACC play, while the Panthers are 5-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in league action. The Cardinals are ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 15 by TopDrawerSoccer, while Pitt checks in at No. 20 in the Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the TDS rankings. Louisville is No. 22 in the RPI, while Pitt is No. 7.
The Cardinals have outscored opponents 22-10 through nine matches and have controlled the offensive numbers, holding advantages of 157-74 in shots, 66-25 in shots on goal and 67-31 in corner kicks. Louisville has recorded more shots in all nine matches this season.
The Cardinals opened ACC play with a 3-2 win over California on Sept. 13 before earning a 3-3 draw against Boston College and returning to the win column with a 3-0 shutout of Belmont on Sept. 21.
Junior midfielder Giacomo Zizza has quickly emerged as one of Louisville's top offensive threats in his first season with the Cardinals. The Lehigh transfer leads Louisville with five goals, four assists and 14 points through nine matches and has recorded a point in six games.
Sophomore forward Andrés Escudero Martín has been equally productive, leading the ACC with six goals. Escudero has scored in three consecutive matches, including a brace in Louisville's 3-0 victory over Belmont, and ranks second in the league with 12 points.
Louisville has received goals from nine different players this season, showcasing the depth of its attack. Braydon Sellers has added three goals and two assists, while freshman Emil Thor has two goals and an assist.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville owns a 7-2-1 advantage in the all-time series against Pitt, including a 3-1 mark in matches played in Pittsburgh. The teams played to a scoreless draw last season on Oct. 31, 2025, marking the first tie in series history.
The Cardinals have won two of the last five meetings, including a 2-1 double-overtime victory at Pitt in 2023.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return home Oct. 2 to host NC State at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium at 6 p.m. ET.
Louisville enters the matchup with a 7-0-2 overall record and a 1-0-1 mark in ACC play, while the Panthers are 5-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in league action. The Cardinals are ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 15 by TopDrawerSoccer, while Pitt checks in at No. 20 in the Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the TDS rankings. Louisville is No. 22 in the RPI, while Pitt is No. 7.
The Cardinals have outscored opponents 22-10 through nine matches and have controlled the offensive numbers, holding advantages of 157-74 in shots, 66-25 in shots on goal and 67-31 in corner kicks. Louisville has recorded more shots in all nine matches this season.
The Cardinals opened ACC play with a 3-2 win over California on Sept. 13 before earning a 3-3 draw against Boston College and returning to the win column with a 3-0 shutout of Belmont on Sept. 21.
Junior midfielder Giacomo Zizza has quickly emerged as one of Louisville's top offensive threats in his first season with the Cardinals. The Lehigh transfer leads Louisville with five goals, four assists and 14 points through nine matches and has recorded a point in six games.
Sophomore forward Andrés Escudero Martín has been equally productive, leading the ACC with six goals. Escudero has scored in three consecutive matches, including a brace in Louisville's 3-0 victory over Belmont, and ranks second in the league with 12 points.
Louisville has received goals from nine different players this season, showcasing the depth of its attack. Braydon Sellers has added three goals and two assists, while freshman Emil Thor has two goals and an assist.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville owns a 7-2-1 advantage in the all-time series against Pitt, including a 3-1 mark in matches played in Pittsburgh. The teams played to a scoreless draw last season on Oct. 31, 2025, marking the first tie in series history.
The Cardinals have won two of the last five meetings, including a 2-1 double-overtime victory at Pitt in 2023.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return home Oct. 2 to host NC State at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium at 6 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, September 22
Saturday, September 19
Monday, September 14
