CARY, N.C. – Louisville City FC got its 2020 season off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory against North Carolina FC on Saturday afternoon as Cameron Lancaster scored the only goal at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Both teams were aggressive early on, LouCity’s Lancaster flashing a header wide of the right post in the ninth minute, but serious chances didn’t start to arrive until late in the first half. The biggest came for the hosts as a deep cross by Nazmi Albadawi from the right found Robbie Kristo for a headed finish to the top-left corner that produced a sensational save from Louisville goalkeeper Ben Lundt. Moments later, Bran Ownby stung the palms of Alex Tambakis from the left side of the area, but the game went to the break scoreless.

Louisville began to threaten more consistently early in the second half, first on a chipped effort by Corben Bone that went just over the crossbar in the 52nd minute. Four minutes later, Ownby got in behind the NCFC defense but had his finish from a narrow angle on the left turned away by Tambakis, and moments later Cameron Lancaster saw his turning shot come back off the left post.

In the 63rd minute, though, Lancaster was the man on the spot to give the visitors the lead. After Speedy Williams had a shot partially blocked by a defender, the ball fell perfectly to the 2018 Championship Golden Boot-winner and he finished low into the left corner to open his account for 2020.

North Carolina started to apply more pressure in the final 20 minutes, but Louisville’s defense was buttoned down to keep its hosts from finding a clear look on goal. Holding NCFC without a shot on goal in the second half, LouCity got its new season off to a winning start as it put the memory of its opening-day visit to Cary a season ago to bed.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC – Lancaster ensured his return to LouCity’s lineup began in winning fashion and could have added a second with a shot off the woodwork.