Evansville Battles No. 21 Louisville in Narrow 1-0 Defeat

The University of Evansville men’s soccer team gave nationally ranked Louisville all it could handle Tuesday night, but a late free-kick goal proved to be the difference as the Purple Aces fell 1-0 at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Evansville kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard for more than 80 minutes before Louisville’s Giacomo Zizza broke the deadlock.

The two sides went into halftime scoreless despite Louisville generating eight first-half shots. Evansville goalkeeper Hugo Amo and the Aces’ back line stood firm against the Cardinals’ pressure and kept the match within reach.

Evansville also created opportunities of its own. The Purple Aces finished with eight shots, compared with 11 for Louisville, although the Cardinals held a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.

The breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute.

After Louisville drew a foul just outside the Evansville penalty area, Zizza stepped over the ensuing free kick and delivered a shot into the upper-right corner for his fifth goal of the season and a 1-0 Cardinals advantage.

Evansville was unable to find an equalizer over the closing minutes.

Amo finished with four saves for the Purple Aces. Alejandro Fernandez led Evansville offensively with three shots and recorded the Aces’ lone attempt on goal.

Despite the loss, Evansville showed it could go toe-to-toe with a nationally ranked opponent. The Aces were even with Louisville in corner kicks at three apiece and were only outshot 11-8.

The result drops Evansville to 0-4-1 on the season, while Louisville improves to 5-0-1 and remains unbeaten.

Evansville entered Tuesday coming off its first result of the season, a 1-1 road draw against Kentucky.