The University of Louisville men’s soccer team is set to renew its rivalry with Kentucky in the annual Battle of the Bluegrass on Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Lexington, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
About the Cardinals
Louisville heads into the match looking to bounce back from its first defeat of the 2024 season, a 2-1 loss to Notre Dame in their ACC opener. Despite outshooting the Fighting Irish 15-10 and holding a dominant 9-4 shot advantage in the second half, the Cardinals were unable to secure the win. This marks their first loss when outshooting an opponent since the final match of the 2022 season.
Battle of the Bluegrass Series
Louisville has a 15-18-5 all-time record against Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass, including a 6-7-2 mark in Lexington. The Cardinals have struggled on the road in recent years, losing their last four matches at Kentucky. However, Louisville claimed a 4-2 victory over the Wildcats last season at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium, with standout performances from Gage Guerra, who recorded his first multi-goal match, and Parker Forbes, who netted his first career goal.
New Faces on the Pitch
The Cardinals have seen significant contributions from their newcomers this season. Head coach John Michael Hayden brought in 15 new players for the 2024 campaign, and through the first four matches, six of them have started every game, including Bilal Camara, Noah De Blasis, JP Jordan, Jack Lewis, Olayinka Ogunleye, and Harvey Sellers. These newcomers have accounted for over 60% of Louisville’s total minutes and have contributed one goal and four assists so far.
Freshmen Bolstering Louisville’s Defense
Senior center back Josh Jones remains a key figure in Louisville’s defense, but this season he’s joined by freshmen Noah De Blasis and Olayinka Ogunleye, who have played nearly every minute through the first four matches. This revamped backline has helped the Cardinals allow just four goals so far this season.
Kentucky Preview
No. 16 Kentucky (1-1-1) also seeks redemption after a 1-0 loss to No. 10 Wisconsin. The Wildcats and No. 15 Louisville (3-1-0) both aim to get back on track in this heated rivalry matchup. The two programs have a long-standing history, dating back to 1979, with Kentucky holding an 18-15-5 all-time series lead. The Wildcats won their last home meeting against Louisville in 2022, 3-2, but fell 4-2 on the road in their most recent encounter.
Next Up
Louisville and Kentucky will square off in Lexington at The Bell Soccer Complex on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in to watch live coverage on ESPN+.
