Angel, Dream back in the Target Center...Vance scores lone goal for Cards

.
WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Field Hockey falls to Ohio State 2-1

-Sandy Walker gets us ready for game two WNBA finals

-Missouri on the move? Re-alignment takes another twist.

The University of Louisville Field Hockey team made the mid-week journey to Columbus, Ohio yesterday to face-off against the #20 Ohio State Buckeyes. Justine Sowry's crew comes home, though, on the short end of a 2-1 contest...falling to 7-5 on the season.

Vance had the Cards lone score

Defense was the name of the game in the first half, with neither team able to score. Ohio State came out with a flurry to start the second half, though...putting two goals on the scoreboard in the first five minutes. Elizabeth Vance took a feed from Hayley Turner to put the Cards within one with under six minutes left in the contest, but couldn't score the tying goal as time ran out on the Cards.

Louisville goalkeeper Erin Conrad had six saves for the Cards in the loss. Ohio State out shot Louisville 14-8 in the contest.

Louisville returns to BIG EAST action this weekend...when Rutgers comes to town on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to wear pink...as the Cards do their part to promote Breast Cancer Awareness and research. Pink balloons and other merchandise will be sold with all proceeds going to the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

*************************************************************************************************************

(Sandy Walker fills us in on Angel and the Dream - as they face Minnesota in game two of the WNBA Finals tonight in Minneapolis.)

When you are playing a team with more tools in their arsenal and 15,000 home court fans behind them, intensity and heart are what you need to even the odds. The Atlanta Dream players used both for three quarters Sunday night against the Minnesota Lynx, but saw the wheels fall off the wagon in the final quarter.

Angel goes...and goes...

From the opening tip off it was apparent that no member of the Atlanta Dream understood - or cared - about the odds they would have to overcome just to play even with Minnesota. The Dream just came to play. A diverse mixture of Marynell Meadows squad stepped up and contributed. Minnesota did not even have an offensive rebound until the second quarter was halfway gone. Even with Angel seeing very few touches and hobbled with foul trouble, Atlanta managed to forge a 12 point lead. McCoughtry's second foul sent her to the bench, though and the Lynx trimmed the advantage to three...and McCoughtry re-entered.

The third quarter was the emergence of Lori Ann (Angel's alter ego - see www.wnba.com/playoffs/2011/mccoughtry_duality_111001.html for an explanation). The fire, intensity and adrenalin kicked in for #35 and she battled to 19 points and kept the Dream in the game. Wherever the ball was, Angel was. The teams ended the third quarter tied at 62.

At this point, a crucial game-changing decision was made. It was decided to extend Angel's between the quarters breather a little bit longer and she sat as play began. That was all Minnesota needed. With Angel on the bench, Minnesota became more bold and confident...using a stifling defense while Rebekkah Brunson took over on offense. When Angel re-entered the contest - with 8:13 remaining in the game - Atlanta was down by five and the momentum had shifted for good. Atlanta's earlier 12 point lead had become a 17 point turnaround and the Target Center crowd roared in approval as the Lynx sealed the deal.

Looking at tonight's game:

-With the return of Erika de Souza and the continued hot hand and defensively re-born Iziane Castro Marquez, Coach Meadows will have the choice of which strategy to use and when to use it. Angel creates best when she's at the "3" or wing position but moved to the "4" when DeSouza missed game one. With DeSouza back, hopefully the Dream's lineup will be a little better balanced and rebound better.

-With a game under their belts in the very loud and home team fan-friendly Target Center, the Dream hope to be a little more settled in and more comfortable in their second road test of the series. 

-Game time is 8 p.m. tonight and ESPN2 will have the feed. 

-A look ahead to Game 3, in Atlanta, shows that Ticketmaster and Stub Hub have very few tickets remaining for the Friday, Oct 7th. contest in Philips Arena. Fortunately, ESPN2 has picked this one up also. 
.
(Here's hoping Angel flies high over Minnesota skies and the Dream play four quarters tonight. Thanks to Sandy for another in-depth and outstanding review of our #35 and her quest to get a WNBA title.Also, congrats to Angel...(1st. team WNBA.)
.
***********************************************************************************

(The following is editorial comment and does not express or define all of CARDINAL COUPLE's writers and staff on the possible move of Louisville to the BIG 12.)

Missouri has decided to "shop around". After a monolith four hour meeting Tuesday night, the Missouri Board of Curators (what, they brought in museum directors?) has approved a measure to "allow chancellor Brady Keaton to explore the Tiger's conference affiliation".

I doubt he makes a phone call to the BIG EAST's John Marinatto. The boys in the BIG 10 won't be waiting by the phone. Your WAC, PAC and MAC conferences aren't hovering over their cellular communication devices either.

This means SEC for the 'show me' state and would effectively drop the BIG 12 membership to eight schools if Kentucky and Tennessee's conference take the "tiger by the tail" and toss him in the pool.




 

So, how many schools would the BIG 12 add? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if interim BIG 12 commish Chuck Neinas would chuck wood?

The guess here is they'll try to make the BIG 12 once again twelve...and that might turn out very sweet for Louie the Cardinal Bird. TCU...how about you? C'mon in. BYU? We want you, too...stroll on through.

That leaves two...and if the BIG 12 decides to stop at 10, then the Cards are forgotten and forlorn. If they go twelve, though...gotta love Louisville's chances.

Cue up the theme song from Jeopardy. Alex, we'll take the BIG 12 for mega $$$$$$$.
.