The University of Louisville women’s soccer team defeated Wright State 2-1 in the season opener at Alumni Field on Friday night.  Freshman Isabella Habuda came off the bench to score both goals In the Cardinals’ win. 

“It was great to open the season with a win,” said head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes. “It was good for our confidence level and to help build momentum as we move forward.  Our first year players were excellent tonight and have proven that they can and will make an impact.  I was very pleased with our attacking effort and how many chances we created.  Now we just have to work at finishing more of them. Overall it was a great team win.”

Both teams played even in the opening minutes but the Cardinal offense got going late in the first period.  Freshman Chatham DeProspo had the best chance after 30 minutes of play but the Wright State keeper was able to come up with the save.  In the 42^nd minute, Shannon Dennehey fed the ball to Habuda for the 1-0 lead.

Louisville finished the first half with an 8-0 shot advantage and a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.  Cardinal keeper Paige Brown was never tested in the first half.  Wright State’s Halle Pyle finished with five first half saves. 

The Cards wasted no time in the second half, picking up a second goal in the 48^th minute.  DeProspo sent a cross into Habuda who found the back of the net again to put Louisville up 2-0.  DeProspo had a chance of her own minutes later from 25 yards out but the keeper made the save.

Senior Erin Yenney slipped a ball to Habuda but the shot went just wide of the post.  In the 75^th minute freshman Alison Price had a shot that was just tipped over by the keeper.  The Louisville defense was challenged in the late minutes as the Raiders pressed looking to score.

Wright State’s Bryce Hueber scored in the 88^th minute to cut the Cards’ lead to 2-1.  Wright State was not able to get another shot off, giving Louisville the win. 

The Louisville defense held Wright State to just three shot for the entire match.  The Cardinals finished with a 17-3 shot advantage and a 10-1 corner kick advantage.  Brown finished with just one save, while Wright State’s Pyle finished with seven saves.

The Cardinals will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 24 as they travel to Illinois for a 1:00 p.m. match.    

Fans can follow Louisville women's soccer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ulwomenssoccer and on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/ulwomenssoccer.