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Nov. 13, 2009

Final Stats

Morgantown, WVa. - The No. 7 Louisville (13-2-4) men's soccer team fell to No. 25 Notre Dame (10-7-3) 4-3 in penalty kicks in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament on Friday night. The game ended in a scoreless tie before moving to penalty kicks to determine which team advances.

The Cardinals came out aggressive in the attack in the first half but were unable to score ending the first period in a scoreless tie. Senior Freddie Braun struck first for the Cardinals in the fifth minute but Philip Tuttle came up with the save. Six minutes later Gerardo Chavez sent one into the box but Tuttle made the save again.

Louisville's best shot of scoring in the half came in the 32nd minute. Mark Knight shot a ball from 10 yards out that was saved. Then a minute later Knight was in front of the goal and sent a shot in while Tuttle punched the ball out. Sophomore Colin Rolfe collected the deflection and blasted a shot in that hit the right post.

Kenney Walker bent a ball inside the box but Tuttle collected the ball for the save. As the game was winding down, Notre Dame's Bilal Duckett headed a ball into the net but Boudreaux jumped to the ball for the save.

Louisville finished the first period with a 7-3 shot advantage, including five on goal. The Cardinals also held a 2-0 corner kick advantage. Boudreaux finished with one save while Tuttle had five.

Notre Dame controlled the tempo to start the second half. The Irish got free on a breakaway and Steven Perry slipped the ball past Boudreaux in the 64th minute but was called offsides. In the 70th minute Michael Thomas sent a header into the box and Boudreaux came up with the save.

The Cardinals got their first shot at the goal in the 76th minute, but Walker's shot went high. Notre Dame's Bright Dike sent a shot inside the box a minute later but Boudreaux punched the shot out for the save. The Irish were in position to score on the deflection but the Cardinal defense covered the right post to clear the ball. The Cards had another chance when Walker took a free kick in the 82nd minute and Knight headed the ball just wide.

The Cardinals started the overtime with a good possession, Chavez brought the ball to the right side of the net and crossed the ball to Knight who headed the ball just wide. Four minutes later Chavez sent another cross into the box but Tuttle jumped out to grab the ball.

Three minutes into the second overtime period Knight sent a header into the net that was collected by Tuttle. One minute later Notre Dame's Thomas took a shot right in front of the box but sailed it high. Four minutes remaining in the second overtime period the Irish's Dike had a chance in front of the box but Boudreaux made the diving save.

After another scoreless tie in the second period and the game went to penalty kicks. Notre Dame went first with Michael Thomas and Boudreaux made the save with his foot. Paolo DelPiccolo stepped up first for the Cardinals and scored. Notre Dame scored on their next four penalty kicks, leaving it up to the Cardinals on the final penalty. Tuttle made the save on the final shot, advancing the Irish to the next round.

The Cardinals will now wait for the NCAA selection show on Monday, Nov. 16.