After earning the program’s first ever Atlantic Coast Conference Title in 2018, this flock of Louisville Cardinals are looking to raise the bar even higher with a new class of seniors and a new head coach in the 2019 campaign.

Ranking
This year’s squad returns ranked among the top in the nation at #14 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll released on August 6th.
 
Louisville was among seven Atlantic Coast Conference teams in this year’s preseason top-25, with every team landing within the top-16. The Cardinals finished the 2018 season ranked 16th in the United Soccer Coaches with an 11-5-3 record.

Schedule
Louisville’s 2019 schedule features seven teams ranked in the preseason poll, while four others received votes. The list of opponents included home matches against No. 8 Kentucky on Sept. 3, No. 16 Virginia Tech on Sept. 20, No. 13 Georgetown on Sept. 24, and No. 4 Wake Forest on Nov. 1. Tickets for the 2019 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Senior Class

2018: Made 15 starts while appearing in all 19 matches during first season with the Cardinals… Credited with only assist of the season in loss to Michigan State in NCAA second round match. 
• 2018 ACC Championship All-Tournament Team
2018: Scored one goal and added three assists in 18 appearances, including 16 starts, during first season with the Cardinals… Delivered only goal of the season in the win over St. Bonaventure on Aug. 24.
2018: Earned All-ACC Third Team honors after scoring five goals in 19 matches, including 17 starts during third collegiate season… Named to ACC Championship All-Tournament Team after scoring game-winning goal in victory over No. 4 North Carolina in the title match… Also provided game-clinching goals in wins over Georgia State (Aug. 28) and Boston College (Sept. 14).
2018: Appeared in 18 matches with 17 starts during redshirt junior season with the Cardinals… Played key role along back line as Louisville earned eight shutouts overall. 
2018: Made 13 appearances with 10 starts during first season with the Cardinals.

John Michael Hayden Era
John Michael Hayden, a Louisville native who has served as an assistant coach with the Cardinals for four seasons, including each of the last three, was named head coach of the University of Louisville men’s soccer program by UofL Vice-President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra on Dec. 27, 2018. The agreement with Hayden was a four-year deal, which runs through Dec. 31, 2022.
Hayden became the fifth head coach in the history of the UofL men’s soccer program, which completed its 40th season in 2018. During his four seasons as an assistant coach with the Cardinals (2012, 2016-18), the program accumulated a 52-19-11 record overall with four NCAA Championship berths, three Elite Eight appearances and two conference championships.
Hayden was a decorated player before transitioning into coaching, playing collegiately at Indiana University winning back-to-back NCAA championships with the Hoosiers in 2003 and 2004. He scored an overtime header against No. 3 Maryland in the 2004 College Cup, sending IU to the title match. During his sophomore season, Hayden scored career-highs with seven goals, four assists and 18 total points — tying for the team lead with six game-winning goals. Hayden was a Big Ten All-Conference selection in 2004 and 2006 and was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team during the Hoosiers’ 2004 title run.
He was also a two-time Parade Magazine All-American at Louisville’s Trinity High School, Hayden was named NSCAA/adidas Kentucky Player of the Year along with Gatorade and Eurosport honors. When he signed with IU, he was recognized as a top-25 recruit by Soccer America.

“I am very excited to be the next head men’s soccer coach for the University of Louisville. I want to thank both Vince Tyra and Matt Banker for their belief in me. I firmly believe in Vince’s vision for this athletic program and know that I have the ability and passion to take the University of Louisville’s Soccer Program to even greater heights,” Hayden said. “Through my soccer career, I have spent time in a number of championship environments as both a player and coach, which gives me a blueprint for what it takes to win. My hope is to build on the success Ken Lolla achieved here at Louisville and to raise the program to an even higher standard of excellence. Ken laid a great foundation and I’d be remiss to not thank him for all he has done for me. He is an unbelievable coach, mentor, and most importantly, a good friend. I wish Ken all the best in his future endeavors.

from gocards.com

“We have a tremendous group of returning players and incoming recruits, so I’m ready to hit the ground running. Louisville is home for me and my family and there is no other place in the country I’d rather be than at the University of Louisville.”

from gocards.com

Fan Fest 
The program will host an Open House event Sunday, August 18 from 4-6 p.m. at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. The free event will include an open practice, silent auction, stadium tour, team introductions, team autographs, and free food. Fans are encourages to RSVP for the event here.

The Cards begin exhibition season this week with a match-up against the Lipscomb Bison Friday August 16th. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at Lynn Stadium on Floyd Street.

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Daryl Foust

Lifelong fan of the Louisville Cardinals, been covering the teams since 2012, graduated from c/o 2015, Writer/Contributor for TCZ for Men's Soccer, Women's Basketball & Softball since 2016.

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