Back where it all began -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

It was a Thursday, Jan 14th., 2010 when I launched Cardinal Couple along with Sonya. I had left another website that Charlie Springer ran because he told me I needed to do that, he simply couldn't run all the stuff i was providing hm with.  So...I talked with two influential UofL Sports administration figures about starting a website about UofL women's sports. They thought it would be a great idea.  Now...with Case resigning, (and make sure and check out his beautiful article that was featured yesterday),..it's back to just me writing. 

Yes,, a lot has changed since that first day. I am retired now.. I'm undergoing dialysis for kidney failure but my cardiologist says my heart is in great shape. After all the twists and turns I have been through on this site, that is an minor miracle. I guess I'm still trying to make a little sense of it all. 

The premise and the theme here still remains the same. The joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. No matter how hard some media Nazis try to belittle me, shut me down or quell what I say, I still can write about that. I've met some wonderful coaches,players,and staffers over the years. And , I've met some real a$$holes and backstabbers. Days of radio (the legendary WCHQ) and days of directing the website from a hospital bed. It hasn't beenboring,that's for sure. 

It's kinda like the late Jimmy Buffet lyrics:

(Back in the good ol'days...Paige and Daryl)

"Good times and riches and son-of-a bit&^es...I've seen more than I can recall" 

But, they can't take my degree away from me, or the fun I had on campus and the fun I have had watching the athletes in field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball and the other women's sports on campus. The incredible athletes met met, some who still stay in touch with me. There has also been the back-stabbers and those determined to see me falter and fail. At this point in my life, I wave those naysayers and distractors away with a dismissive swipe of the hand and stay centered on why I started this site.

The joy and excitement of UofL women's sports.

Sonya and I...give it your own caption. 

I will survive. I will get by. And, I will carry on. And I thank Sonya, Jenny, Paige, Mark, Sandy, Jeff, Jared, Daryl and.Case for sharing parts of the journey with me. The wise council I had in the early days from Charlie, Lori, Julie, Tom and Vince. .The coaches I've enjoyed my conversations with...like Jeff, Scott, Justine, Karen, Holly, Sandy, Sam and Pam...just to name a few.  

Remember Paige? 

Another 16 years ahead of me? I'd like to think so.  I'll be 86 then, if I get there, and maybe I'll be too senile to write daily. But, the great musical group of the 60's...the Grass Roots.... wrote a song called "Live For Today" and it give some wise council. 

"We were never meant to worry, the way that people do. And I don't need to hurry, as long as I'm with you. "  

Because, it's you...the readers that keep me doing what i do. As long as you are still "clicking on and moving your eyeballs" I'll be offering. 

paulie

The End of a Journey -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

A Fond Farewell from Case

I spent a long time looking up great last lines from novels to open this post with to be witty or clever, but in the end, they all ring hollow. They all felt like they'd cheapen it a bit. So, instead, I simply say that this is the end of my time as a writer at Cardinal Couple. 

The title of today's post is a reference to my very first post here at the site, which came nearly ten years ago. It's hard to believe it's been so long, although that may be more due to my rejection of the idea that I could have already graduated college that long ago. I was a different person then, and a different writer. Everyone stuck with me while I shook off the need to write about Louisville's men's teams, but it probably took longer than anyone hoped. I finally got it through my head that Cardinal Couple didn't exist to be another column in the noise about Lamar Jackson or Rick Pitino, and I turned my attention to the true mission: Reporting the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics. 

While I learned that lesson, I went through a lot as a person. I got married, moved to Shelbyville, moved back to Louisville, went through three job changes, but Cardinal Couple was always here. That's not to say there weren't changes here, too. I was part of dozens of shows at the old Crescent Hill Radio studio in the basement and dozens more at the new studio location before the station closed down. We did shows on location, and I learned about the rules of simulcasting. When the station closed, we pivoted to a podcast and I learned all kinds of new things in that process. I've seen (if my count is correct), eight other bylines on the site since I started, and I've had the pleasure of creating genuine friendships from the experience. 

When I wrote that first post back then, I never really imagined I'd still be doing it all this time later. That joy and excitement kept me going, and I continued to grow my love for the teams we cover here. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Life has a funny way of creeping up on you, and as my responsibilities have grown inside these pages, they've grown many times over outside them. It's time to close this chapter of my story, but I can assure you I'll never forget it. 

I was a passive follower of Louisville women's athletics when I started, primarily engaged as an avid sports fan while a student at the University. That has changed a lot over the last ten years, and these days I find I'm far more invested in the success of the women's soccer or softball teams at UofL than either of their male counterparts. That won't change now that my time writing is done. I'll still be tuned into the goings-on up and down Floyd Street next season and the years to come, and you'll likely still find me at Lynn when my schedule allows. 

I'll always be grateful for my time at Cardinal Couple, to Paulie for giving me a chance to keep writing, and to the support the Cardinal Couple community has always shown. 

As always, Go Cards!

Case

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

Did You Know? -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE OFFERS EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY DEGREES. 

I had the chance recently to catch up with a friend who I knew at UofL and in the course of our discussion we started talking about her grandson, who was graduating from UofL also (like she did)...but with a degree in Exercise Physiology. I was not aware of the field of study, so she explained it to me. Exercise Physiology is also called exercise science,  kinesiology, or human movement and UofL is one of the leaders in the nation in the study.  

It is basically an intense look at the how we understand and optimize the movement and effectiveness of the human body. At UofL is can be broken down into three different subcategories. 

-- Allied Health Therapies. Aimed toward those who are pursing physical therapy or medicinal fields and careers. 

-- Human Performance. Geared to those who want to be in strength and conditioning, sport science or personal training. 

-- Physical education and Health -- Deigned for those who want to go on and be physical education teachers..like in schools and such. 

I wish this had been around when I was an undergrad, but it didn't become a degree option until around 2000. Human Movement developed out of kinesiology and beside University of Louisville...other major universities who offer the degree include Texas A&M, Michigan, Northeastern and Maryland. 

 If you are a prospective or current student looking for exact syllabi, office hours, or specific course registrations, you can view the complete faculty directory on the UofL Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Page.

Louisville Draws Texas in ACC/SEC Challenge -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards to Face Longhorns in Texas

The ACC/SEC Challenge matchups were announced for men's and women's basketball yesterday, and both teams drew the same opponent: the Texas Longhorns. The women's ACC/SEC Challenge officially began in 2023, and Louisville has played on the road once. The Cards won that game against Ole Miss in Oxford in the 23-24 season. 

Louisville will head to Austin on December 2nd. The Cards last faced the Longhorns in the same building during the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where Louisville pulled off the upset against the home team. That was the second time the Cards had beaten Texas in the same season, having also won in November in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Those are the only two wins Louisville has over Texas all-time, though they've only played two other times. 

Last year's iteration of the Longhorns won the SEC Championship on their way to a second straight Final Four appearance. They haven't lost a game in the Moody Center in the last two seasons as part of a 44-game home winning streak. Things change season-to-season, though, especially in this day and age, but Louisville will still likely face an extremely tough opponent. The Cards, to their credit, return all five starters from last season. 

Louisville will get SEC opponents on back-to-back Wednesdays to open December, as they'll face Kentucky on December 9th. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

TEXAS GETS THE REPEAT --FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 4-1 WIN GIVE LONGHORNS THE WCWS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE OVER RED RAIDERS.

Make it two years in a row. The Texas Longhorns softball gals have won the Women's College World Series for the second year in a row. Back-to-back championships over Texas Tech.

A lot of players contributed to the win for Texas..which is what it takes to win a championship. Once again, solid pitching from the Longhorns. Two runs in the fifth and two runs in the top of the seventh got it done for them at the plate...and an outstanding efforts in the circle from Citaly Gutierrez, Hannah Wells and Teagan Kavan. 

Texas brings the title back to the SEC. Being as they joined the conference in the summer of 2024, the Longhorns have proved they are the queens of softball in the SEC. It was Oklahoma, now in the SEC also, who won the title in 2021,22,23 and 2024. The tournament was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID. 

Three hits in seven innings for the Texas Tech squad. Not a lot to try and win a game with. 

"This one is sweet. They've worked the tails off the whole time and we had people step up when we needed them to."  said Mike White, UT head coach after the contest. 

Maybe none more than Teagan Kavan. After getting the complete game win on Wednesday, she had five strike outs against the six batters she faced on Thursday to preserve the lead. 

So, another softball season ends. And, it appears that the stronghold of softball in the USA is still...deep in the heart of Texas. 

paulie

EYES ON TEXAS IN SOFTBALL COLLEGE WORLD SERIES -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TEXAS, TEXAS TECH PLAY FOR IT ALL IN OKLAHOMA CITY. 

The SEC vs the Big 12. Austin vs Lubbock. Horns vs Red Raiders. No 1 in the nation (Texas) against the 11th ranked Texas Tech squad. Yes, it's College Softball World Series time. 

Teagan

In Game One, on Wednesday night, it was TTX who got off to the early lead with a home run...but Texas responded in the bottom of the first with five runs. Texas is a squad who has won close to 90 straight games when they have a four run lead. Jumping out 5-1 they eventually stretched it out to 7-3 for clear bragging rights about winning Game 1 of the series

The championship could go three games, if Texas Tech comes back to win game two. Otherwise, it'll end in two if the Longhorns win game two. 

 Teagan Kavan hurled a three-hitter for the Horns ,going the distance.

Hiya,  cutie...Teagan out of uniform

ESPN's coverage was functional and not overplayed...a rarity in nationwide broadcasts of major sporting events. Of course, they trotted out Holly Rowe for sidelines interviews in this one. I still remember when they brought her in for a UofL game vs Kentucky in the KFC YUM! Center and she showed up in a UK blue dress. And she couldn't figure out why the fans were booing her. Beth Mowins is the big game announcer and pretty Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith round out the crew. 

The two squads go back at it tonight. 

Cherry Makes Debut -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Karsyn Cherry Appears for Angel City FC

The University of Louisville can add another alumni to the list of players that have stepped onto the pitch for an NWSL squad. While I'm not able to find a full list of players, I believe that UofL's former players to appear at the next level in the US is quite limited. The league started in 2013, and to the best of my knowledge, Emina Ekic is the only former Cardinal to have checked into a game for an NWSL team until this past weekend. 

Karsyn Cherry made her debut for Angel City on Sunday, and she'll be looking for more opportunities moving forward. While her opener was short (just one minute) Cherry was quite productive. She had three touches and was successful on her two attempted passes. She also won a corner in the opposing box, though her attempt to score the game-tying goal was off target. Angel City fell to NC Courage 2-1. Cherry signed with Angel City in January as a free agent, as the NWSL eliminated the rookie draft this past season. The former Card is listed as one of just seven defenders on the roster, so it would seem likely that she'll get more chances to see the pitch soon. 

Erynn Floyd will hope to make her debut this season as well. Louisville's former goalkeeper remains in town as a reserve with Racing Louisville. Racing's primary goalkeeper went out with an injury a couple of games ago, so Floyd may be closer to seeing the field than anticipated. It's still a crowded keeper room, though, so it will be tough. 

New head coach Hunter Norton will be hoping to continue the development of the UofL-to-Pro pipeline and build up the Cardinal program as a destination for players looking to take the next step. Norton's first season at the helm begins in a little over two months. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case

WBB Cards and Cats announce 2026 date. -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TWO TOP TEAMS IN STATE TO MEET ON DECEMBER 9TH

We now know when the 2026 edition of Cards WBB vs Cats WBB will take place.

The two schools will face off on December 9th in Lexington in Rupp Arena.  No game time or network viewing information has been released yet. Since it is a weekday game, the best guess here is that it'll be snatched up by the SEC Network and get an evening time slot...but that is just speculation. 

This is a switch from the last game between the two in Lexington, in 2024, when the two squads met in Memorial Coliseum. The Cards have won three of the last five meetings between the two squads. Last year's contest went to the Cats 72-62. Louisville won in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. 

Georgia Amoore. a pretty kitty. Now with the Mystics. 

The larger arena venue in 2026 means more people will attend, in all probability. The last time I was in Lexington, the two squads played at Memorial Coliseum. That one was an overtime classic..where the Cats roared back from a late deficit under the leadership of Teonna Key and Georgia Amoore. A Saturday night game, and a tough drive back to Louisville after the loss. 

Jeff Walz is 13-7 all time against UK. He has had a seven game win streak against the Cats, until two years ago. 

paulie

Five Cards quality for NCAA Women's Outdoor Champonships. -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ALL THE CARDS QUALIFIERS WERE IN FIELD EVENTS

The Cards track and field squad participated in the Lexington Regional of the NCAA DI Outdoors Tournament qualifications over the weekend and five Cardinals women punched their tickets for the Tournament...to be held in Eugene, Oregon on June 10--13. 

Ashley Callahan qualified in the pole vault, along with fellow Cardinals athlete Iliana Triantafyllou. Kate Tupu-Smith is in because of her shot put throw and just barely missed in the discus.  Eve Divinity will travel to Eugene to be in the long jump, and Alba Cuns Iglesias made the cut in the triple jump. 

Callahan, a redshirt senior out of San Diego, previously competed at San Diego State.  Trianyafyllou is a junior from Greece, Kate Tupu-Smith was at Washington before coming to Louisville. Divinity transferred to the Cards from San Diego St. and Cuns Iglesias is a redshirt junior from Spain. 

Louisville track and field has had a long history of success in the throws and field events over the years. Going back to the days of Emmonnie Henderson and Jayden Ulrich, the Cards have been a force in the previous conferences they were in .Current throws coach Cory Martin joined the roster in 2023 .

paulie