2026 Cards Field Hockey needs to improve over 2025 ACC record --MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 2-7 Against Conference Foes Unacceptable

(Wanna guess what this is? Answer at end of today's column)

OK, everyone knew that ACC Field Hockey wasn't going to be the easy, breeze ride that Louisville had in other conferences. But being tied for seventh place in a nine-team conference certainly isn't what the UofL Cardinals Field Hockey fans expected or were particularly happy with. I can't imagine the student-athletes or coaches were pleased...either. 

The squad needs to show show marked improvement in the 2026 season in the ACC and beat a few more squads than California and Syracuse. Maybe one thing in Louisville's favor is the developing underclasses on the roster that are returning. 

Out of the 23 players on last year's roster, only four graduated. Six will be sophomores this year, seven juniors and six seniors. We know of only one transfer out...defender Luciana Carpenter, who is headed to Richmond as a grad transfer. 

The ACC is probably the strongest field hockey league in DI and UNC is always a powerhouse. 

Cards depended highly on Rylie

The Cards need to find scorers. They only scored over five goals four times in 2025 and gave up over five goals only once. With an 8-10 record overall, they lost six games by one goal. 

Rylie Wollerton had 11 goals in 18 games for the Cards, but was a senior who played in 74 games for the Cards in her time at UofL.  Who steps up to replace her could be the key question for UofL and Sowry. 

We should get a schedule release soon and a roster update as well. 

(Oh...and the image at the top of today's column? Why, it's a water sprinkler on the Cards Field Hockey surface....)

paulie