LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Geoffrey Dee scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as the No. 6 University of Louisville men’s soccer team earned a 2-1 season-opening victory against St. Bonaventure on Friday night at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium.

Playing in his first match since Nov. 27, 2016 after an injury forced him to miss the entire 2017 season, Dee assisted on the first goal of the night for the Cardinals midway through the first half before connecting on a penalty kick midway through the second half for the clincher. With the result, Louisville won its fifth season-opener in the last six years and improved to 31-11-11 all-time at Lynn Stadium.

The visiting Bonnies opened the scoring on Friday as Kosi Nwafornso successfully converted a penalty kick in the 15th minute for the 1-0 lead. The PK was setup after the Cardinals were whistled for a handball on a crossing attempt into the box by St. Bonaventure.

Kino Ryosuke delivered the equalizer for the Cardinals as the junior scored inside the upper right corner from 10 yards out in the 21st minute. Dee created the chance with his pass into the box to Tate Schmitt, who headed a pass across the box to Ryosuke. The Louisville forward waited for one bounce before connecting on a right-footed strike for his first goal as a Cardinal.

The Cardinals garnered their first lead of the night in the 69th minute when Dee converted on a penalty kick after Louka Masset was taken down inside the box by a St. Bonaventure defender. The goal was the 10th career tally for Dee, who had seven goals in his first two seasons at Tulsa before scoring twice as a junior for the Cardinals in 2016. The native of Germantown, Tennessee also has 12 career assists, including five for Louisville.

Defensively, sophomore Jake Gelnovatch earned the start at goalkeeper and had two saves for the Cardinals, which finished with a dominant 17-5 advantage in shots. Louisville also had an 11-2 edge in corner kicks.

Up next, No. 6 Louisville continues its season-opening three-match homestand at Lynn Stadium against Georgia State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., ET.

Fans can follow Louisville men’s soccer on Twitter at @UofLmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.

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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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