Early Strike Not Enough for DePaul at No. 11 Louisville

Tuesday, October 6

Louisville, Ky.

5:00 PM

DePaul University

2-3-4, 0-1-1

No. 11 Louisville

9-1-2, 2-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
DePaul	1	0	1
Louisville	2	2	4

Box Score (PDF)

Early Strike Not Enough for DePaul at No. 11 Louisville

10/6/2026 7:55:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Keagan Pace gave DePaul an early lead, but No. 11 Louisville scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 decision Tuesday night at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.

The Blue Demons, facing a ranked opponent for the second-straight match, had chances in the early going and capitalized to grab a 1-0 lead but couldn't keep pace with a Louisville side that is unbeaten at home in 2026. Pace, Mason Kutch and Daniel Hickiewicz fired off two shots apiece to lead the visitors. Goalkeeper Chance Johnson matched his season best with seven saves on the evening.

How It Happened
DePaul (2-3-4) had the match's first quality chance in the third minute, as a free kick led to a Keagan Pace header on frame that was corralled by keeper Nathaniel Abraham.

The Blue Demons kept the pressure on and earned the game's first corner in the fifth minute. Noeh Hernandez served it in, Gavin Netzel flicked it on and Pace headed it home for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.

Louisville (9-1-2) answered six minutes later. The Cardinals switched the field, and after a DePaul clearance attempt fell short, Jacopo Surricchio finished at the far post to level the match in the 11th minute.

DePaul pushed again in the 21st minute, when Daniel Hickiewicz had a pair of shots blocked in a span of 38 seconds, the second forcing the Blue Demons' second corner of the night.

Louisville went in front in the 33rd minute off a set piece of its own. Giacomo Zizza's corner was flicked on by Noah De Blasis, and Ryan Quintos got the final touch to put the Cardinals ahead 2-1.

The Cardinals carried that lead into halftime, holding an 11-4 edge in shots and a 4-2 advantage in corners over the first 45 minutes.

U of L extended its lead in the 58th minute, working a run to the end line and centering for Ryan Hauser to tap it in on the doorstep for a 3-1 advantage.

A DePaul handball in the box gave Louisville a penalty kick in the 76th minute, and Andrés Escudero Martín converted to make it 4-1.

Junior midfielder Max Padua was shown a straight red card in the 84th minute, forcing the Blue Demons to play with 10 men for the final six minutes.

Match Notes

Keagan Pace scored the ninth goal of his career and his second this season.
Noeh Hernandez recorded his fifth assist of the season and the 16th of his career, moving into sole possession of eighth on DePaul's all-time assists list. He also climbed to sixth on the program's all-time points list with 58.
Gavin Netzel picked up the first assist of his career.
Goalkeeper Chance Johnson made seven saves, matching the career high he set Oct. 2 against Akron.

Up Next
The Blue Demons return to BIG EAST play Saturday, Oct. 10, with a trip to UConn. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT, with the match streaming on ESPN+

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