Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Decision Sunday for Lacrosse, Softball

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Softball, Lacrosse face season ending scenarios

UofL women's sports fans have an odd doubleheader of sorts today available for viewing...Softball against UCF today at noon and Lacrosse at 2 p.m. versus Northwestern.

Losses today by either squad will end their seasons. Kellie Young's squad has gone further than they ever have before in the history of the sport at UofL...making the NCAA Tournament and winning their first round match. The Northwestern squad they face today is fifth seeded in the 26 team tournament field, at home and has won 19 consecutive NCAA Tournament games when playing in Evanston, IL.

Softball gets a UCF squad that had trouble shaking a pesky Rutgers team yesterday...the Knights had the bases loaded in the seventh inning, one out and trailing 8-5...but could not deliver the upset. UCF was the #1 seed in The American Softball Tournament and a win over Louisville today would
make the Cards a very remote possibility for the NCAA Tournament with a RPI of 50.

We think both squads have a very good chance of keeping their seasons alive today, though. Lacrosse is on a 12 game win streak and getting solid production from their attack, midfield and defensive players. Kellie Young has multiple scorers in Faye Brust, Nikki Boltja and Kay Morissette who can take a game over in a matter of minutes. Good news, also for those fans who want to watch it...

The contest starts at 2 p.m. ET and will be streamed free of charge on the Big Ten Digital Network's site. It also will be televised on the Big Ten Network on tape delay, starting approximately 3 p.m. ET.

Softball dropped the regular season series to the UCF Golden Knights but has been playing much better ball since their visit to Orlando and getting the best pitching they've had this season from Rachel Le Coq, Maryssa Becker and Caralisa Connell. Sandy Pearsall's "Hit and Catch" Cards have also been on a home run frenzy in Houston...putting six over the fence in two games.

The American Digital Network will show the final between Louisville and UCF starting at noon ET.


Comparing the two seasons, the two squads...its been a supremely surprising and satisfying season for Lacrosse. Kellie Young told me months before the season began that this group had a chance to be something very special and she was right. Softball...on the other hand...returned a solid hitting lineup, strong pitching, talented newcomers and a new facility but fell short of most people's expectations by not winning the AAC after being the preseason pick to do so.

Redemption songs available for singing today for Pearsall's squad and another "finish" opus awaits Young's netters.

The NCAA Softball selection show will air tonight at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. We hope the Softball Cards can eliminate any doubt of participating by taking care of business today.   


Good luck to both squads today!

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Finally, UofL women's golf ended their three-day stay at the NCAA Regionals in 18th place. The top eight from each region advance to the Championships...so golf has ended for the season...ironically...when most people are starting to renew it for the year.

paulie