By Jordan Shim–

In a non-conference game, sanwiched between high-intensity ACC matches, the tenth-ranked men’s soccer convincing defeated IUPUI 3-0 at Lynn Stadium.

Mohamed Thiaw, Tim Kubel and Cherif Dieye scored to improve the Cardinals to 5-1-1 on the year. Louisville dominated the contest with advantages in shots, 25-2, and corners, 15-2.

“The focus was to get the shutout, and I was proud of the guys because we did. Jake (Gelnovatch) didn’t have much to do because of the guys in front of him,” coach Ken Lolla said.

The quality of Louisville showed early. Their high press forced an IUPUI turnover. Tate Schmitt came close to giving the Cardinals the lead in the 6th minute but sliced his shot wide.

Thiaw scored his third goal in four starts this season in the 19th minute. Off of a corner, Schmitt headed the cross across goal for the Lexington native to rise and give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Despite coming off a long layoff from injury over the summer, Thiaw didn’t need much time to regain his sharpness. Lolla is not surprised with the form the striker is in.

“He’s a goalscorer,” Lolla said. “He’s around it, he understands where to be and really efficient with his chances.”

The Cardinals had an abundance of chances, but the Jaguar defense didn’t break to keep it a one-goal game.

Louisville was awarded a penalty in the 50th minute. Kubel didn’t squander the chance, calmly placing his shot to the left post for his third goal of the season.

Dieye added to the Louisville lead with a precision shot to the right post in the 75th minute.

The Cardinal defense held the Jaguars to two shots, and Gelnovatch recorded his third shutout of the season.

“That was probably the least amount of work I had to do this season,” Gelnovatch said. “I still had to communicate with my backs. I had to come out for one, but that was really it. Great defending. Got to give huge credit to them.”

Louisville resume ACC play, hosting Boston College on Military Appreciation night Friday, Sept. 22. Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.

You can follow Jordan on Twitter @tlcjordanshim.

Photo by Laurel Slaughter / The Louisville Cardinal