By Sammie Hill–

Despite the dreary weather conditions Thursday night at Cardinal Park, the No. 13 ranked University of Louisville men’s soccer team defeated the No. 23 ranked Providence Friars 5-0.  Striving to advance to the next round of the Big East tournament, the Cards exhibited consistency and determination in order to achieve this overwhelming victory.

The Cards’ intensity paid off early when, in the 16th minute, sophomore midfielder, Alexander Obbey, collected the ball at the top of the box and ripped a shot into the back of the net.
Obbey notes that the team’s high intensity facilitated some good opportunities early. “I was lucky enough to put the first one away,” Obbey said.

Driven by the knowledge that their ability to proceed to the next round of the Big East tournament depended on this game, the Cards continued to pressure the Friars. Their efforts were rewarded again in the 21st minute when senior forward Colin Rolfe received a back heel pass from junior midfielder Michael Roman and slipped the ball past the goalie.

This was the first of three goals for Rolfe, who explained that head coach Ken Lolla consistently reminds the team to “never be satisfied with a lead” and encourages them to “score more and more goals” in order to solidify a win.

The Cardinals certainly maintained their thirst for victory throughout the game, scoring a total of five goals, including a first career goal from freshman midfielder Shaquille Hamilton in the 35th minute. After ending the first half with a 3-0 lead, Louisville carried their momentum into the second half , where, in the 46th minute, senior midfielder Nick DeLeon penetrated the Providence defense with a through ball to Colin Rolfe, who brought the score to 4-0.

Louisville’s final goal came in the 51st minute, when Colin Rolfe capitalized on an opportunity set up by Alexander Obbey, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 5-0 and completing Rolfe’s hat trick. Throughout the game the Louisville defense extinguished every advance from the opposition, earning the Cardinals not only a win but also a shut out against the Friars.
“These wins build confidence,” Rolfe states. “The team chemistry is getting better and better every day.”

Head coach Ken Lolla reveals that recovery will play a key role in the success of the team as they advance to the next round of the tournament. “It’s a quick turnaround,” Lolla points out. “We only have two days between now and Sunday, so physical recovery is very important.”

Colin Rolfe said that as the players prepare for their next game against Marquette on Sunday, Nov. 6 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they plan to stick to what they’ve been doing all year.

The men’s team would go on to defeat Marquette by a score of 1-0 with the winning goal coming from Louisville striker Colin Rolfe in the 23rd minute.

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