No. 4 'Cuse Opens ACC Play Versus No. 7 Louisville

Game Details: Friday, Sept. 8, Syracuse, N.Y., 8 p.m.
Live Video: ACC Network
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @CuseMSOC
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Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Louisville Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 4 Syracuse begins Atlantic Coast Conference play when it hosts No. 7 Louisville in a top-10 match on Friday, Sept. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ACC Network).

The game will be broadcast on ACC Network. Fans who are unsure or unaware if their cable provider carries ACCN are strongly encouraged to visit GetACCN.com.

The 8 p.m. start time will be the latest the Orange have begun a match since Aug. 26, 2021, versus Drexel (8 p.m.). Admission and parking are free.

'Cuse Update
Syracuse improved to 3-0 at home on Monday after earning a 1-0 victory over UAlbany.

Nearly striking in the 41st minute off a corner kick, the Orange capitalized on another set piece six minutes into the second half.

Senior Gabriel Mikina lowered his body to head the ball into the bottom left corner following the corner sent in from fellow fourth year Jeorgio Kocevski.

'Cuse outshot UAlbany, 14-5, while holding a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Sophomore Jahiem Wickham made his first career start, turning aside both shots he faced in the clean sheet.

Opening ACC Play
Friday will mark the third time Syracuse will open conference play against Louisville since joining the ACC in 2013, all played at the SU Soccer Stadium.

The two teams first squared off to open league play on Sept. 11, 2015, when 'Cuse played to a 1-1 draw versus No. 23 Louisville. On Sept. 13, 2019, the Orange and No. 20 Cardinals battled to a nil-nil double overtime draw.

Syracuse finished the 2022 season with a 5-1-2 conference record en route to earning the Atlantic Division regular season title. This is the best league record since 2014 (5-2-1).

Scouting the Cardinals
John Michael Hayden enters his fifth year as the head coach of the Louisville men's soccer program. The Cardinals are off to their best start in Hayden's tenure, opening the year with a 4-0 record and pair of top-20 wins.

Louisville opened the season with a 1-0 win over No. 16 Tulsa before most recently earning a 4-2 win versus No. 19 Kentucky on Tuesday. Gage Guerra paces Louisville with four goals, while Alex Svetanoff has turned aside 14-of-16 shots and has earned three clean sheets through the first four matches.

Series History
Friday's match will be the 20th all-time meeting between the Orange and Cardinals. 'Cuse holds a 12-2-5 advantage in the series.

Last season, No. 5 Syracuse defeated No. 11 Louisville, 2-1, with goals from Nathan Opoku and Levonte Johnson in the 18th and 29th minutes, respectively.

Up Next
Syracuse concludes its home swing on Tuesday, Sept. 12 when the team hosts Siena. Kickoff against the Saints is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).

Syracuse men's soccer is presented by Industry Standard USA.

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's soccer, follow us on Facebook (/cusemsoc), Twitter (@CuseMSOC) and Instagram (@cusemsoc).

No. 4 'Cuse Opens ACC Play Versus No. 7 Louisville

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Players Mentioned

Levonte Johnson

Jeorgio Kocevski

Gabriel Mikina

Nathan Opoku

Jahiem Wickham

Syracuse University Athletics