Rivers Scores Game Winner In Final Seconds

--By Jared Anderson
--Photos by Jared Anderson

Louisville women's soccer (9-1-0, 3-0-0) defeated conference rival Syracuse 1-0 at Lynn Stadium en route to their fourth straight win and third ACC victory.  Brooklynn Rivers scored the game-winning goal with nine seconds remaining.

The Cards dominated nearly every aspect of the match including putting up 19 shots (11 on goal) opposed to the Orange's 7 (3).  Louisville also controlled possession and spent a good amount of time in Syracuse real estate.

Syracuse goalkeeper Jordan Harris recorded seven saves in the first half off a Louisville offense that had a continuous attack.  Harris retired from the match at the half due to an unspecified reason and was succeeded by Lysianne Proulx.  She added another three saves before the final shot made its way into the goal.

Louisville had ample opportunities to score.  Emina Ekic found space in the first half that was deflected away and her second half shot was tipped by the keeper and bounced off the crossbar, narrowly missing the goal line.  Nadege L'Esperance had a header off a set piece in the first away that was hauled in by the Syracuse keeper.  Both Maisie Whitsett and Rivers pressed forward in ground attacks that had shots saved by Syracuse.

With under a minute remaining in regulation the Cards found space on the left side.  Whitsett dribbled the ball down the pitch.  Inches from crossing the base line, Whitsett passed into the box to Rivers.  Rivers used a spin move to evade a defender before getting a shot off past the reach of the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net with nine seconds remaining on the clock.

Defensively, Gabby Kouzelos recorded three saves, but was crucial in halting advances by the Syracuse offense.  She also played an important role in keeping the six corner kicks way from the goal.

Louisville travels to #5 North Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 29.  They will then return for a two-game home stint including Senior Day on Sunday, Oct. 7.

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