Kentucky has been on a strong run in recent years, making it to the second round of the NCAA DI Men’s Soccer Tournament for five consecutive seasons. This achievement sets them apart as one of just three Division I programs to accomplish this feat, alongside Indiana and Georgetown.
Category:
Soccer
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In the opening round, the Cardinals secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Dayton at their home stadium. Josh Jones, David Boccuzzo, and Bryce LeBel all found the back of the net in the first half, while Brandon McManus scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute.
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Kentucky took control of the game early on, with goalkeeper Casper Mols making a crucial save in the opening 15 minutes. The breakthrough came in the 26th minute, as Ben Damge scored his first goal of the night, assisted by freshman Josh Gordon. The Wildcats went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, having recorded four shots and one save.
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This triumph marks the first postseason win for the Cardinals since the 2019 season when they reached the third round. The game against Dayton featured a flurry of goals in the first half. In the 13th minute, Josh Jones and Sander Roed combined to give Louisville the opening goal. Roed’s corner kick found Jones’ head, which deflected off the right post into the net.
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The Wildcats head into this match after suffering a defeat to Marshall in the semifinal round of the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Tournament. On the other hand, the Musketeers secured their first-ever Big East Conference Tournament title by defeating Georgetown in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. Both teams are hungry for success and will be looking to make a statement in this tournament.
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In an exciting announcement on Monday afternoon, the NCAA revealed that the Kentucky men’s soccer team has received an at-large bid for the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament. The Wildcats, who finished as the last of the 48 teams selected, will be representing the Sun Belt Conference along with Marshall, West Virginia, UCF, and James Madison.
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This will mark the 15th NCAA appearance for the Louisville men’s soccer program, an impressive record that has been amassed in just 17 seasons. Under the guidance of head coach John Michael Hayden, the Cardinals have qualified for the postseason in three consecutive years and four out of the last five seasons.
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Head coach Johan Cedergren expressed his pride in the players, stating, “Really proud of Ben and Casper for making the all-tournament team. They both had excellent performances in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches.”
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Right from the opening whistle, the Cardinals set the tone for the match, displaying their attacking prowess. Their fluid passing and impeccable teamwork created numerous opportunities, leaving the Duke defense scrambling to keep up. It was only a matter of time before the Cardinals found the back of the net.
