The University of Louisville men’s soccer team has had a strong season with a 12-5-1 record overall. The Cardinals lost only one home game this season, with a record of 9-2-1 at home. The team’s away record stands at 3-3-0.

By Sammie Hill–

Despite their 11-6 shot on goal advantage over the Marquette Golden Eagles, the University of Louisville men’s soccer team fell 2-1 in the Big East quarterfinals. The match, hosted at U of L in Cardinal Park on Saturday night, marked the end of the Big East tournament for Louisville, who will now set to prepare for the NCAA Tournament that begins on Nov. 15.

Marquette earned the first two goals of the game, gaining an advantage early on. The Cardinals fought back in the second half, amplifying their intensity and generating scoring opportunities. In the 85th minute, junior forward Zack Foxhoven ripped a shot into the back of the net, instigating a possible comeback for the Cardinals. However, Louisville was unable to capitalize on any of the scoring opportunities throughout the rest of the game, ending up with a 2-1 defeat.

Junior goalkeeper Mike Mauro ended the game with four saves for U of L, while Marquette keeper Charlie Lyon registered 10.

“I thought we played well,” said head coach Ken Lolla after the game. “Other than the two re-starts where we gave up the goals, I thought we dominated the game.”

Saturday’s loss does not mark the end of the road for the U of L men’s soccer team. The NCAA Tournament offers a means of redemption for the Cardinals.

“It’s not the end of the season,” Lolla asserted. “There are lessons to be learned from this game, and we have another part of the journey that we have got to get ready for.”

“Our goal is to win a National Championship,” stated goalkeeper Mike Mauro. The team plans to regroup and train hard for the upcoming tournament.

“We have to keep improving,” noted junior defender Andrew Farrell.

The NCAA Tournament will consist of competition among 48 teams. The selections will be announced on Monday, Nov. 12, and the first round of play begins on Nov. 15.

“We have a couple of weeks to get ready, and we need to prepare well,” Lolla explained. “We need to get re-focused and be prepared.”

Photo: Austin Lassell/The Louisville Cardinal