Louisville defeats Central Arkansas 3-2

September 12, 2011

The second ranked University of Louisville Cardinals scored a last minute goal to defeat Central Arkansas 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Cardinal Park. The Cardinals scored two goals in the second half to come from behind and beat the Bears. Louisville improves to 4-1-0 on the year while Central Arkansas falls to 1-3-0.

Louisville got off to a slow start to begin the match and Central Arkansas was able to take advantage. The Bears took a shot on goal just and minute and a half into the match but Andre Boudreauxcollected it for the save. In the 11th minute, the Bears' Mickey Segura blasted a shot from 25 yards out, getting it past Boudreaux and into the upper left to put Central Arkansas up 1-0.

With a scuffle in front of the goal after a free kick, Chase Rodgers headed the ball in to score the equalizer for the Cards in the 12th minute. The Cardinal defense had to stay on its toes the first half. In the 24th minute Denmark Gillings blasted a shot from 15 yards out that went just high. Kenney Walkerhad a shot on the next possession that went high.

The Bears' had another shot on goal in the 26th minute but Boudreaux came up with the save once again. Walker played a corner kick into Ryan Smith but his shot went high in the 36th minute. Buck Tuftyhad the Cards' best shot for the go ahead goal in the 40th minute but the ball was collected for the save.

Another corner kick was played to freshman Isaiah Trejo, whose header went just high in the 42nd minute. Central Arkansas' Chris Deaville took a cross in the penalty area and slipped it past Boudreaux to put the Bears up 2-1 in the 43rd minute. The Cardinals had a shot at the equalizer in the final minute of the half but Tufty's shot went high.

Louisville finished the first half with a 9-6 shot advantage and a 4-1 corner kick advantage. Boudreaux finished the half with two saves while Central Arkansas' Amir Pasic also finished with two saves.

The second half was a different story for the Cardinals, keeping possession most of the second half. Louisville had a goal by Nick DeLeoncalled back in the 47th minute due to offsides. But the Cardinal attack continued to pressure the Bears' defense and wear them down. Central Arkansas' Stephen Williams was issued his second yellow card of the match in the 64th minute, forcing the Bears to play a man down the rest of the match.

Louisville continued to get shots but could not convert until the 73rd minute. Smith won the ball deep from a Central Arkansas defender on the left side and crossed the ball into the penalty box, where Buck Tuftyheaded the ball in for the tying goal.

Louisville had another good opportunity in the 76th minute from DeLeon right outside the penalty box but the Bears' keeper fell on it for the save. The Cardinals' pressure paid off in the 89th minute. Andrew Farrell played the ball to Buck Tufty in the middle of the field, where he played a cross to Will Vitalisjust inside the box for the game-winner.

The Bears tried to counter but the Cardinal defense remained stingy, securing the victory. Louisville finished the match with a season-high 30 shots while Central Arkansas finished with 10. The Cardinal defense held the Bears to just four shots in the second half. The Cardinals held an 8-3 corner kick advantage over the Bears.

Boudreaux finished the game with four saves while Central Arkansas' Amir Pasic finished with eight saves and Patxi Shortsleeve finished with one.

The Cardinals will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 17 as they host Butler at 7:00 p.m. in Cardinal Park.