After consistent pressure for most of the first half, Louisville was finally able to break down the OKC defense in the 37th minute. Jimmy McLaughlin’s cross from the left side of the box took a deflection off Conor Donovan before finding its way into the back of the net.

The goal seemed to energize the Greens, however, and Villyan Bijev nearly equalized just five minutes later. Mitch Osmond sprung Bijev loose in behind the Louisville defense, but the attempt trickled wide.

The second half proved to be much better as OKC almost went level through efforts from Jaime Chavez and Bijev in the 70th minute.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 76th minute after Sam Rogers was judged to have fouled Jonathan Gomez in the box. Up stepped Cameron Lancaster, who sent CJ Cochran the wrong way with a well-placed effort to the lower right corner.

The Greens got back in the game in the 87th minute when Tucker Stephenson won a penalty after being fouled by Sean Totsch. Bijev converted not once, but twice, as the referee made him retake the first attempt due to a player entering the penalty area prior to the shot being taken. Bijev made no mistake either time, beating Parker Siegfried with both attempts for his sixth goal of the season.

OKC continued to press and nearly found a deserved equalizer in stoppage time, but the Louisville defense held on for its second win over Energy FC this season.

Energy FC remains on 18 points but moves down to 5th place in the Central Division.

The Greens return home to Taft Stadium next Saturday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT against Memphis 901 FC. Tickets are available at energyfc.com/august7.

Scoring Summary:

LOU: Own Goal, 37’

LOU: Lancaster (pen), 76’

OKC: Bijev (pen), 87’

Disciplinary Summary:

LOU: Wynder (Yellow Card), 45+1’

LOU: Gomez (Yellow Card), 90+2’

OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Sam Rogers (Kodai Iida, 80’); M: Hiroki Kurimoto, Charlie Ward (Brad Dunwell, 79’), Jon Brown (Tucker Stephenson, 61’), Deklan Wynne; F: Aidan Daniels, Jaime Chavez (Zach Ellis-Hayden, 79’), Villyan Bijev

Subs not used: Kyle Ihn, Mueng Sunday

LOU Starting XI: GK: Parker Siegfried; D: Akil Watts, Sean Totsch, Joshua Wynder; M: Napo Matsoso, Wesley Charpie (Ownby, 57’), Corben Bone (Souahy, 80’), James McLaughlin (Davis IV, 57’); F: Jorge Gonzalez, Atoine Hoppenot (Gomez, 57’), Cameron Lancaster (Greig, 80’)

Subs not used: Hubbard, Moguel