Women’s soccer shuts out Cardinals, improves to 2-0

Tweet

By Daniel Diliberto

The Jon Lipsitz era is underway, and Saturday’s 1-0 win over Louisville began what UK fans hope is a long and successful tenure at UK.

The Cats (2-0) made it clear early in the contest Saturday night they would be physical; whether it was a goal kick from the opponent’s keeper, or a free ball.

Giuleana Lopez scored the lone goal in the Cats' 1-0 victory over Louisville. Photo by Adam Wolffbrandt | Staff

In Saturday night’s victory with 1,074 fans in attendance, the work the Cats had put in the previous week paid off.

In the 19th minute, the Cats’ forwards set up a corner for sophomore defender Jenna Goblirsch by forcing Louisville to clear their lines. The setup was near-perfect and the corner was buried in the back of the twine by Lopez at the 18:58 mark in the first half.

“I didn’t even know it went in,” Lopez said. “I guess it was my turn to score.”

The Cats’ physical play continued in the second half thanks to a stingy defense that kept the ball out of their goal, and for the majority of the game, on the other half of the pitch.

The last 15 minutes of the match tested the UK backfield as Louisville pressed hard to try and net the equalizer. UK continued its suffocating defense though, and Louisville was unable to score despite controlling the ball for much of the last 15 minutes. The Cats finished strong, avoiding a late-game breakdown like the ones that had plagued them last season.

“We’re not going to give away leads,” Lipsitz said. “That was the cause of a lot of losses this team suffered last season.”

It was a showing in which the team played with no fear and a lot of heart. The team came out of the gate and set the tone with their physical play and nonstop hustle.

“We attack and defend as a team,” Lipsitz said. “It’s not just the defenders who need to defend; it’s all 11 players on the field.”

Junior keeper Sydney Hiance sealed up the ninth shutout of her career, making her only one short of fourth place on UK all-time shutout list.

Many of the raucous fans who watched the game waited and had the team sign autographs after the game. Lipsitz said he was appreciative of the UK fans.

“Fans of the University of Kentucky are passionate about all sports, not just football and basketball, but even the number two rifle team in the nation,” he said. “All sports matter.”