LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Goals by Cameron Lancaster and Kyle Greig proved the difference as Louisville City FC took a 2-1 victory against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium for the side’s second win in three outings this campaign.

The visitors got an early chance as Louisville turned possession over in its own defensive third, but Jack Blake’s shot flew high of the crossbar from the top of the penalty area after Niki Jackson had rolled the ball back into his path for the shot. The hosts also went close inside the first 10 minutes as a low cross from the right was cleverly flicked on by Lancaster toward Niall McCabe, but the Irish midfielder’s shot was charged down allowing SD Loyal goalkeeper Trey Muse to gather.

SD Loyal went closer to opening the scoring in the 16th minute when Alejandro Guido drove forward from the left and fired a near-post shot that was parried wide by LouCity goalkeeper Chris Hubbard, while Louisville countered with a chance of its own six minutes later as Paolo DelPiccolo’s header was turned wide of the left post by Muse. LouCity threatened again just past the half-hour mark, but Muse was again up to the challenge as he kept out a low shot from 20 yards by Lancaster.

Louisville was given a chance to take the lead in first-half stoppage time, however, as Napo Matsoso was tripped in the penalty area, and while Muse made an outstanding save to keep out Lancaster’s initial shot, the English forward put away the rebound for his first goal of the season and a halftime lead for the hosts.

San Diego twice went close to leveling early in the second half, first through a header by Hunter Ashworth off a free kick by Charlie Adams that the center back was just unable to control and then on a shot by Blake from 25 yards that arrowed toward the top-right corner of the net before being tipped over by Hubbard. Lancaster then went close to doubling LouCity’s lead but was unable to redirect a cross from the left by DelPiccolo on target.

SD Loyal had a chance to level with 18 minutes to go when Blake played second-half substitute Corey Hertzog in through the left side, but the veteran forward sliced his finish well wide of the near post. Louisville then doubled its lead late on as Greig was able to cash in on a rebound with a spinning effort to mark his debut with a goal, and that tally proved essential moments later as San Diego hit back through a screaming finish by Jack Blake as the game ticked into stoppage time that caromed off the underside of the crossbar and in. The hosts were able to see out the remaining minutes, though, to earn their second victory of the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Pat McMahon, Louisville City FC – McMahon put in a stellar display at the back, winning 7 of 9 duels and completing 48 of 57 passes while recording three key passes in attack for the hosts.

Scoring Summary
LOU – Cameron Lancaster 45+3’
LOU – Kyle Greig 88’
SD – Jack Blake (Charlie Adams) 90+1’

Full Box Score