Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Facing the nation's 20th ranked team and stiff 50-60 mph winds, the IUPUI men's soccer team hung tough before dropping a 2-1 decision to Louisville at Cardinal Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Louisville's (5-0-1) Colin Rolfe scored the game-winner in the 76th minute after Zachary Hernan slotted a short cross just beyond the six-yard box. Rolfe's goal capped a day in which the host Cards outshot IUPUI 21-11 overall and 15-2 when playing with the wind in the second half.
 
"The idea was to come in and disrupt Louisville's rhythm. We didn't want them to establish rhythm," IUPUI Head Coach Steve Franklin said. "I think mother nature kind of took care of that for us. That made the job a little easier."

Despite playing with the wind at its back in the first half, the IUPUI offense wasn't able to muster much of an attack in the early going. On the flip side, U of L's Nolan Chandler took advantage of the head wind to bend a shot past freshman goalkeeper Tyler Keever in the 16th minute. Keever was making his first career start in net for the Jaguars. 

"I'm still not convinced that he wasn't trying to cross the ball, but sometimes you get lucky," Franklin said. "In both instances, there was nothing Keever could've done."

Chandler hit a drive from just beyond the 18-yard box, that seemingly was headed well high of his target. Instead, the ball seemed to die in midair, bending into the upper left-hand corner of the net. 

IUPUI finally cashed in in the 33rd minute when Matt Guy hammered a drive from 40 yards out. The rookie flanker rifled home his third goal in as many games, beating UL keeper Andre Boudreaux.

"Matt Guy provides us that quick hit, similar to what Vangel used to give us," Franklin said. "We were never out of a game with Vangel on the field and Matt Guy is giving us similar play right now."

Guy and Cameron Williams led IUPUI with four shots each and Keever collected four saves in goal. He also benefitted from two team saves in a flurry of action with the game still tied at 1-1. After playing a goal kick into the wind, the ball gusted right back at the IUPUI keeper, who played the ball with his hands inside the box. The ensuing free kick from inside 10 yards was deflected off the back line by the IUPUI defense, as was a rebound attempt.

Aaron Clapham led the Cards with five shots.

IUPUI returns to action next weekend when it takes part in the Green Bay Nike Soccer Classic. The Jaguars will play UC Riverside at noon on Saturday and host UWGB at 2:30 on Sunday.