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No. 1 Men's Soccer Wins BIG EAST Tournament Championship over Providence
Nov. 14, 2010 Harrison, N.J. - With two key saves in penalty kicks, the top ranked Louisville men's soccer team secured its first ever BIG EAST Tournament Championship defeating the Providence Friars 3-2 in penalty kicks. The Cardinals extend their unbeaten streak and move to 16-0-3 on the season, while the Friars are now 12-5-3. The game started out very much in Louisville's favor with the Cardinals controlling possession of the ball early. Louisville had their first real good at the goal when Paolo DelPiccolo fed the ball to Charlie Campbell into the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Providence keeper Jhojan Obando. The Cardinals got a great diving save from Andre Boudreaux in the 22nd minute when Providence midfielder Matt Marcin blasted a shot from about 20 yards out. Boudreaux leapt for the ball, making the save, and collected the rebound to keep the score at 0-0. After the early part of the first half, the possession of the ball began to level out as both teams traded the ball back and forth, but neither team was able to capitalize as the half ended in a 0-0 scoreless tie. Providence finished the first half with a 5-1 shot advantage, while Louisville finished with a 1-0 corner kick advantage. Boudreaux finished the first half with two saves, while Obando finished with one. The Cardinals came out with a shot in the 48th minute by Colin Rolfe that was barely tipped by the keeper causing it to miss just wide left. A minute later, Louisville got a free kick opportunity at the top of the box. The shot was taken by DelPiccolo, but the keeper was able to come up with another save. Louisville kept the pressure on Providence as a handball call gave the Cardinals another close free kick opportunity with J.T. Murray taking a shot from just outside the box, but the shot sailed just above the crossbar. The Friars answered back with a shot by Providence midfielder Marc Clintron that Boudreaux was able to easily corral. In the 58th minute, Nick DeLeon received a pass from Dylan Mares, streaking down the left side of the field. DeLeon was able to get past the defense, but his shot that was able to slip past the keeper went just wide right of the goal. The Cardinals got another chance at a goal in the 83rd minute when Andrew Farrell received a pass in the box from Rolfe, but his shot was saved by Obando. A minute later Rolfe received the ball in the middle of the field, driving between the defenders and launching a shot from 20 yards out that sailed past the outreached arms of the keeper into the back of the net to put the Cardinals up 1-0. The Friars were awarded a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Marcin took the shot for Providence and was able to get it past Boudreaux to tie up the score at 1-1. Neither team was able to score again, sending the game into overtime. The first overtime period was very much back and forth. It wasn't until with two minutes remaining that the Cardinals had a shot to win the game. Josh Lipka was able to get the ball away from a Providence defender leading to shot that was saved by the keeper. On the rebound, Rolfe had an open look at the goal, but Obando was able to come up with another save. Neither team could score, leading to another overtime period. In the second period, the Cardinals got a free kick opportunity at the top of the box, but the Providence defense was able to deflect DeLeon's shot. Both teams were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leading to penalty kicks. In penalty kicks the Friars missed their first kick, while Mares knocked in his. The Friars made their next two, while DelPiccolo hit his attempt off the post. DeLeon was next for the Cards and scored his attempt. Boudreaux came up with a save on the Friars' next attempt and Campbell knocked his in for a 3-2 lead. Boudreaux came up with another huge save to secure the win for Louisville. Louisville finished with a 20-13 shot advantage, along with a 3-0 corner kick advantage. Boudreaux finished with four saves, while Obando finished with 12. After the game, the Cardinals received several awards recognizing their efforts throughout the tournament. Louisville had four players named to the All-Tournament Team in Austin Berry, Andre Boudreaux, J.T. Murray and Colin Rolfe. Boudreaux also received the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player, while Rolfe was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
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