October 14, 2012
CLOSE, BUT NOT ENOUGH
St. John's men fall at Louisville, 1-0

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Playing in front of a national TV audience on Fox Soccer for the second time this season, the No. 10 St. John’s men dropped a 1-0 Big East decision to the University of Louisville on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Rafael Diaz made two saves for St. John’s (8-2-4, 2-2-1), which had its unbeaten streak snapped at four games and its shutout streak ended at three.

Will Vitalis had the game-winner in the 17th minute for Louisville (8-4-1, 4-1-0), while keeper Mike Mauro made five saves to post the shutout.

“It is always disappointing to lose, but I am proud of how our guys played because we went toe-to-toe with a very tough Louisville team on the road and came up just short tonight and that’s just how soccer goes sometimes,” St. JOhn's coach Dr. Dave Masur said. “We created some really good opportunities, but we have to do a better job of finishing.”

St. John’s outshot the Cardinals, 10-9, and finished with more shots on goal, 5-3.

Louisville was held without a shot until the 18th minute, but took advantage of it. After a pass from Marlon Hairston and a cross into the top of the 18-yard box from Buck Tufty, Vitalis was able to beat Diaz and put the Cardinals on the board.

St. John’s tried to answer quickly as a Nick Matthews give-and-go with Daniel Herrera led to a break away in the 21st minute. Matthews had a good look, but Mauro got his fingertips on the attempt and make the save.

The Cardinals had a pair of quick shots in the 26th minute as a shot by Andrew Farrell was blocked before Daniel Keller fired high on the rebound attempt.

A shot by Zach Foxhoven was blocked out of bounds in the 40th minute, but the Cardinals could not create a shot on the ensuing corner kick.

St. John’s had a chance in the 43rd minute, but a shot by Andres Vargas was saved.

Louisville attempted to add to its lead in the 52nd minute as Vitalis tested Diaz, who saved it.

Looking for the equalizer, St. John’s followed with a shot of its own in the 57th minute. Vargas, however, was stopped by Mauro.

The Cardinals had the next shot as the teams continued to trade opportunities. Diaz, however, made the save on an attempt by Santiago Velez in the 59th minute.

The Red Storm earned its first corner kick of the game in the 62nd minute following a shot by Vargas that was tipped past the line by Mauro, but could not take advantage.

St. John’s continued to have offensive opportunities in the waning minutes. Vargas fired high on a great chance from inside the 18-yard box in the 80th minute before Sean Sepe found himself on a breakaway in the 83rd minute, but had his shot saved by Mauro.

St. John’s plays at Rutgers at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.