LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Led by a strong defensive effort early, the University of Evansville men's soccer team held off the 11th-ranked Cardinals for the entirety of the first half before two second-half goals helped lead Louisville to a 2-0 win on Tuesday evening in Louisville, Ky.

"It was a great midweek battle for our guys this evening," said Aces head coach Marshall Ray. "For stretches of the game, we played toe-to-toe with the No. 11 team in the country. We were unfortunate not to go into half up 1-0, but our guys came out of the half and responded well and continued to put them under pressure. Unfortunate to give up the second goal, but we were pressing the game to try and find the equalizer. This match will benefit us later in the season, in the conference tournament, and as we face teams moving forward. I'm proud of the way the guys fought and battled, especially on a day's rest after a grueling game against Bradley on Sunday. Looking forward to getting back on the field with the guys soon and getting some points on the road in conference against SIUE."

Making his first collegiate start, redshirt freshman Landon Amick played all 90 minutes between the posts, making difficult save after difficult save, compiling seven saves. On the attack, senior Carlos Barcia paced the offense, recording a pair of shots, including one on frame.

Amick and Evansville's backline helped hold the Cardinals in check in the opening half as the Las Vegas native made four saves in the first 45 minutes. Louisville's best chances of the opening 45 minutes came just shy of the 40th minute when the Cardinals put a pair of shots on goal in quick succession, but Amick saved both to keep the match scoreless. Just before the half, Evansville earned what would be its best opportunity of the evening as freshman Tancredi Fadda was brought down just inside the 18 and the Aces were awarded a penalty. Oliver Hald stepped to the spot for the attempt, but the juniors shot was saved by the Cardinal keeper as the match trickled into half tied 0-0.

Evansville continued to battle with the 11th-ranked Cardinals in the second half, putting pressure on the home side. Louisville got its breakthrough in the 55th minute on a goal by Aboubacar Camara on a shot inside the six. In the 77th minute, the Cardinals added their second goal on the night as UE looked to equalize, this one off the foot of Brandon McManus as Louisville captured the 2-0 win.

Evansville remains on the road for its next match, an MVC matchup with SIUE in Saturday at 1 PM in Edwardsville, Ill.
 

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