By Marquis Driver–
The Louisville Cardinals Men’s Soccer team continues to roll and improve on a strong start to the season. The Cards are now 5-1-1(3-0 ACC) this season after an impressive showing against ACC Coastal opponent University of Pittsburgh.
The atmosphere was electric at Lynn stadium, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over four thousand. Fans added to the intensity of the game, being interactive and staying for the entire game, which is something that usually doesn’t happen often. Partly because of the Cardinals being undefeated at home posting a 3-0 record after Friday’s tilt.
Louisville put Pitt under pressure early scoring on an unbelievable free kick from Jr. Shane Campbell in the 13th minute, bending from the corner and never once being touched until it hit the net. Campbell’s first in a Louisville jersey. The Penn State transfer set the tone for what would be an offensive onslaught on the night for Louisville. “I was glad that I was able to get the goal for the team, I felt like once we got one the flood gates would open up,” Campbell stated.
And they did. Four minutes later Jr. Forward Ricardo Velazco popped in another goal off of an assist from Ben Strong, creating an opportunity for themselves by pursuing a blocked free kick right in front of Pitt’s own goal. Velazco’s kick made it the third game in a row that he has scored at least one goal in.
Velazco then continued to capitalize on the pressure by earning a penalty kick early in the 47th minute of the game, taking and making the first penalty kick in Lynn stadium. As the game opened up there was a feeling that Velazco could’ve gotten a hat trick, but was subbed out after Defender Daniel Keller scored his first goal of the season in the 49th on an assist from Campbell. “I was definitely thinking hat trick, but it felt better to get the win” Velazco said, earning player of the game honors.
Louisville capitalized on defense and created multiple opportunities on offense, the game was honestly a couple of inches away from seven goals scored, feeling reminiscent of the Duke game that also ended in a rout. “The way we play is to pressure the other team on both sides of the ball, put the ball in dangerous positions, and capitalize on our opportunities.” Coach Lolla said.
The Cards showed that by leading in shots on goal 19-7. Controlling the ball and limiting Pitt’s opportunities to score, barely allowing them to get past midfield.
The Cardinals will now face the Ohio State Buckeyes at home this Tuesday who are 2-3-3 this season. The buckeyes will be a familiar opponent for a few of the cards, with two of the cards being Ohio State transfers (Santiago Velez, Louie Berra) and Campbell coming from big ten opponent Penn State.
When asked about the upcoming matchup with Ohio State “It should be a good one, it’ll be an opportunity for us three to get back at them a little bit.” Campbell said, smiling. “If we can continue to be focused and control what we can it should be good for us.”
Photo by Austin Lassell / The Louisville Cardinal
