By Benjamin Wilson

With 11 wins and only two losses on the season, the University of Louisville men’s soccer team is all smiles as they continue to dominate their opponents.  The Cardinals have a hunger to win, and keep improving.
“I think the biggest thing is that we are still hungry to get better,” said head coach Ken Lolla. “We still haven’t hit our peak or our potential as a team. And we still have a long way to go in getting better.”
There is no argument about Louisville’s desire to win. Posting one of the best starts in the university’s history, U of L’s men’s soccer team is sitting at the a top of the Big East’s red division, with a record of 6-2-1, and an overall record of 11-2-2. Their dominance continues to show, as Louisville has 11 shutouts on the season, two of those coming off rivals University of Kentucky and Indiana University. They also have three players—Mark Knight, Freddie Braun and Colin Rolfe—with six goals or more, and a sophomore goalie, Andre Boudreaux, who is limiting the Card’s opponents to less than a goal per game.
With dominant wins over Indiana University, DePaul University and the University of Pittsburgh, the Louisville men’s soccer team is enjoying this season.
“We are having a blast this season,” said senior midfielder Freddie Braun. “For me, as senior, I am having a ton of fun. And the same goes for the other seniors. The locker room’s atmosphere is great right now.”
Louisville has put in a lot of hard work to attempt to end an already impressive season on an upswing. In their 2008 season, the Cardinals dropped five out of their last seven games, lost Phil Edginton due to injury and were bounced by Jacksonville University in the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament.  With the return of Edginton, and a new pressuring defense, the Cardinals have confidence that they can go far this season.
“I think our drive is the best part of this year,” said senior defensive player Phil Edginton. “We were really disappointed with how we ended up last year. But now we are just having fun, and we are enjoying playing. Also, we have a new system, and everyone is buying into it.”
Louisville’s new system includes a high-pressure defense, with a constant attacking offense, which allows the Cardinals to wear down their opponents in order to score more goals.  Their strategy seems to be working. Louisville has only given up 11 goals on the season, and has scored 37 goals.
“We put teams under a lot of pressure, and I don’t think they like it when we do,” said Edginton.
For starting seniors Edginton, Braun and sophomore forward Gerardo Chavez, this will be their final season with the Cards. But before they graduate, their ultimate goal is to bring home a national championship.
“Coach is keeping us on our goals, so we can bring home a championship to Louisville,” said Braun.
Having confidence and discipline has brought the Cardinals up to an elite level in the country. And they will continue to try to add to their victories when they take on the Big East’s University of Cincinnati Bearcats, at home, on Oct. 28.