Soccer, Volleyball post Friday Wins

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Soccer nips Cincy in double overtime

- Volleyball sweeps in Syracuse

Whitfield's goal leads Cards to 2-1 win

It took 106 minutes, but Louisville avoided a tie with the Cincinnati Bearcats and clinched the #3 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament with a hard-fought win last night in Cardinal Park. 

"Rivalry games always bring out the best in teams and tonight was no different. You have to credit Cincy for the way they competed tonight. Our team continued to fight and persevere throughout the game and it paid off in the end."  - Louisville head soccer coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes.

The Bearcats opened the scoring in the 16th minute of the first half, Liz Miller getting her first goal of the season, off a header which floated past Louisville goalie Chloe Kiefer. That lead held as the teams went to intermission and deep into the second half. 

In the 70th minute of play, Charlyn Corral sent a free kick following a UC penalty over the Cincinnati defenders and safely into the net to record her eighth score of the season. 

Neither team could produce in the first O.T., but with just four minutes remaining in the final overtime, Casey Whitfield followed up on a missed shot attempt by Corral and scored her fourth goal of the year...tapping it in to end the contest. 

Chloe Kiefer had seven saves for Louisville (10-4-3, 5-3-3) and the Cards attempted a record 37 shots in the contest.

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Lola and Gwen spark Volleyball win

We've typed the name Lola Arslanbekova, it seems a thousand times here at CARDINAL COUPLE and she gets the kudos again today for her 18 kill effort against the Orange yesterday in Syracuse. Gwen Rucker also stepped up big for UofL with six kills and five blocks in the 25-23, 25-12, 25-18 three-set win for the Cards.

Ex-Cards coach now head man
at Syracuse

Louisville (19-3, 8-1) jumped out to an early 12-6 advantage in game one but a strong rally by the Leonid Yelin coached Syracuse team tied the game at 21-21. The Cards rolled off the next three points, though...getting a service ace from Katie George in the process...to get to set point and held on to get the two-point win.

The Cards roared out to another early lead in the second game and were never seriously challenged by Syracuse...up 17-8 and finishing the game on a 8-4 run.

Syracuse tried to rally after the break and did managed to take the Cards to a 15-15 tie. After a Anne Kordes timeout, the Cards regrouped and grabbed 10 of the final 13 points to produce the victory.

The Cards continue the road trip Sunday with a crucial match against the Marquette Golden Eagles. MU is 17-3 on the year and sits atop the BIG EAST standings with a perfect 7-0 record...heading into this weekend's action.

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Sean and Sam with Charlie

Finally, congratulations to Sean Thompson and his lovely bride Samantha Schaefer for tying the knot last night at St. Joseph Catholic Church!

I've watched the (then) little guy grow up and become a great young man who is now married to a sweet and caring girl in Samantha. The reception was at the Mellwood Arts Center and a total blast...which is why the ol' CARDINAL COUPLE is a little late this morning...celebrate good times, c'mon! Woo-hoo!
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