LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The ninth-ranked University of Louisville men’s soccer team closes out the regular season on the road at Wake Forest on Friday night. Kickoff from Winston-Salem, N.C., is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on the ACC Network.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
There is plenty at stake for the Cardinals heading into the final regular season match. Louisville currently sits in second place in the Atlantic Division, three points back of Syracuse. The Cardinals would clinch a share of the Atlantic Division title with a win at Wake Forest and a Syracuse loss against Boston College.
The Cardinals are also playing for a bye in next week’s ACC Championship. A win or draw at Wake Forest would clinch a bye and a home match in the quarterfinal round on Sunday, Nov. 6. Louisville would still get a home match with a loss, but it would be in the opening round on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisville and Wake Forest will meet for the 16th time on Friday night with the Demon Deacons leading the all-time series 11-4-0. Two of Louisville’s four wins in the series have come in the last five seasons, including a 2-1 win at Wake Forest in the 2018 ACC semifinals. The Cards defeated Wake Forest 3-0 last September in Louisville behind goals from Aboubacar Camara and Josh Jones.
CARDS DOING DAMAGE EARLY IN SECOND HALF
Louisville owns nine victories through 15 matches this season. Of the nine wins, eight have featured game-winning goals in the second half.
The Cardinals have been extremely lethal early in the second half, finding seven of their game-winners between the 54th and 66th minutes.
Josh Jones added the latest strike in that window last Friday against Clemson, lifting Louisville to a 1-0 victory with a winner in the 59th minute.
LOUISVILLE DEFENSE TAKING CENTER STAGE
In 2021, Louisville featured one of the top offensive attacks in the country. One year later, it’s Louisville’s defense that has taken the headlines.
The Cardinals have allowed just 13 goals in 15 matches this season, the fourth-fewest in the ACC, and second in the league with just six goals allowed in conference play. Louisville has given up multiple goals in just three matches and is up to six shutouts.
Louisville recorded three straight clean sheets for the first time since September of 2017, blanking NC State, Notre…
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