LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A quick start to the second half helped Louisville take control in claiming a 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee men's soccer team Tuesday night at Lynn Stadium.
 
The Panthers (6-4-4) were much better after intermission, but a goal by the Cardinals (6-4-4) in the opening minute of the second half helped the home side put away hopes of a comeback effort.
 
"It was a 4-0 loss, but I still believe that it was a good experience for our guys," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "Playing on the road against a team that's been a top program in the country over the last five to eight years – it's a great experience for our guys to see what that level looks like; what that level of a player looks like. They have two players that were drafted in the MLS on the field from last year 's draft that stayed to play their final year of soccer in college. So I knew we were going to have our hands full that and it was going to be a difficult task for us coming into this game. Mid-majors don't get to pick and choose when they have opportunities to play an ACC team."
 
Milwaukee was playing in its final non-conference matchup of the season, taking on a talented Louisville squad that was ranked No. 24 in the preseason United Soccer Coaches National Poll earlier this fall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
 
Back-and-forth from the opening whistle, MKE goalkeeper Daniel Ibarra kept it that way in the fifth minute, making a nifty save when he came charging off his line.
 
The scoreless battle turned the Cardinals way after breaking through for the first goal of the contest at the 17:30 mark. Gage Guerra then added his team-leading eighth goal of the season on an impressive tally where he headed the ball to himself on a breakaway chance and the lead was doubled just three minutes later.
 
The MKE offense had a tough time piecing finishing touches together in the opening 45, with a look from Pascal Leatherman in the 35^th minute ending up as the only shot on goal before the halftime horn. Down 2-0 at the time, Alejandro Martinez found Felix Huwiler in the box. That pass was disrupted, with Leatherman volleying the ricochet on net. A reactionary save by the home goalkeeper kept it at 2-0 on a fortunate right-place, right-time stop or the game could have turned at that point.
 
Down 3-0 at the break, Milwaukee looked to right the ship but the home side found a fourth just 39 seconds into the period.
 
"I was disappointed in two of their four goals," Kelderman said. "I thought we could've done better. One was a bit of a mishap between our center back and our goalkeeper and another goal, we just lost somebody man-to-man marking on the corner kick. I think if we do better in those two situations and we don't dig ourselves a hole that early in the game, I think it would've given our guys more a bit more confidence in finishing the game out."
 
The offense found it much better going after that, with Mesfin Roda recording a pair of shots in the 53^rd minute and Leatherman adding a near-goal in the 55^th. The team had a good opportunity late to break up the shutout, but a free kick from just outside the top of the box was sent high.
 
For the game, Louisville finished with advantages of 14-6 in shots, 7-4 in shots on goal, and 5-1 in corner kicks. Ibarra was credited with three saves on the night.
 
"We talked after the game and I think our group is still really in a good place," Kelderman said. "That was the highest tempo of a game we've experienced all year and, never mind the score, it can only help in a positive manner moving forward. We know that conference play is our bread and butter. We have three conference games left and the guys' heads are up. It was a good experience, but the game is over and we focus on Northern Kentucky starting tomorrow morning."
 
The team returns to league play for the first of its three remaining regular-season contests Saturday, traveling back to the same state to take on the Norse in a match scheduled to get underway at 12 p.m. CT.