Nov. 28, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Louisville's most successful men's soccer season came to an end Wednesday night as Andrew Magill's second half goal gave Ohio State a 1-0 victory at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals close the year with an 11-7-4 record, falling in the second round of their first NCAA Tournament.
Rarely does a scoreless first half contain as much excitement as the one witnessed between the Cardinals and Buckeyes. In only the seventh minute, Ohio State gave Louisville a scare as the first corner kick of the game resulted in a header by Danny Irizarry that flew inches over the goal.
Later in the 24th minute the Buckeye's Eric Brunner found himself on the receiving end of a restart five feet from the goal. His powerful, close-range shot was wrapped up by Cardinal goalkeeper David Simolike to avoid the goal.
It took nearly a whole half of play until Louisville was finally able to take a clear shot on goal. In the 40th minute, J.T. Murray was able to break loose from the Buckeye defense at midfield and keep the ball all the way into the box for a shot that barely missed above the crossbar.
Ohio State finished the half ahead in shots 11-6, while Louisville had the advantage with shots on goal 3-2. Simolike had two saves for the Cardinals, and Casey Latchem grabbed two as well for the Buckeyes who also had one team save.
There were eight more minutes of scoreless play in the second half until Andrew Magill broke up the tie for the Buckeyes. In the 53rd minute of the game Roger Espinoza took a shot that was blocked down by Simolike. Irizarry took the rebound and passed off to Magill for an open shot into the goal.
The Cardinal offense had nice late game chances at tying goals, though none were able to slip by Latchem who was flawless in the second half.
In the game, Ohio State finished with a 19-15 edge in shots, and shots on goal 8-5. The Buckeyes also led in corner kick attempts 5-3. Simolike was the busiest goalkeeper with seven saves, while Latchem finished with four.
