University of Louisville
10-1-3
Charlotte
5-4-3
Bennett’s First Goal Pushes No. 5 Cardinals to Overtime Win
October 17, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Louisville matches school record with fifth straight shutout; Cardinals improve to 5-0-0 on the road
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Redshirt freshman Liam Bennett scored his first collegiate goal in the 96th minute to lift the No. 5 Louisville men's soccer team to a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory against Charlotte on Tuesday night at Transamerica Field.
On an evening when the Cardinals struggled to sustain an offensive attack for much of the game, Bennett unleased a right-footed strike from 18 yards away that zoomed into the upper left corner of the goal for the game-winning tally. Junior Adam Wilson was credited with his team-leading sixth assist while junior Adrien Cabon added his third assist.
"It was an incredible goal by Liam to get the win," said Cardinals head coach Ken Lolla. "On a night we weren't at our best, we gutted it out and found a way to win."
With the victory, Louisville moved to 10-1-3 on the season, including 5-0-0 in road matches, while also extending their unbeaten streak to nine. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Will Meyer turned away all three shots he faced to earn his fifth consecutive shutout while also registering the ninth shutout of the season for the Cardinals. The fifth straight shutout for Louisville matches the school record equaling the total first achieved during the 2013 season. Overall, the Cardinals have played more than 531 minutes (531:45) since their last goal allowed while also surrendering only one goal in the last eight matches (765:54).
Louisville, which reached at least 10 wins in a season for the 10th time in the last 11 years under Lolla, won Tuesday's match despite being out-shot 12-8 by the 49ers (5-4-3). The Cardinals had just one shot in the first half and only four attempts in regulation before turning up the pressure with four shots in overtime, capped by the game-winning goal.
Up next, No. 5 Louisville returns to Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium for its regular season home finale against NC State on Saturday at 7 p.m., ET. The Cardinals will honor their senior class prior to Saturday night's match with the Wolfpack.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
Team Stats
Liam Bennett (1)
Assisted By: Adam Wilson , Adrien Cabon
Pass from Wilson Bennett, who hits the u
95:54
