Cardinals Close YUM regular season with a win!

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Cards sink Pirates on Senior Night 72-62.

(Staff columnist Jenny O'Bryan brings us the game report of Louisville's 72-62 win over Seton Hall. For tearful fairwells, Mo-On-The-Go, Vails threats and Nita knowledge...read all about it below!)

Louisville Women’s Basketball took to the court for the final regular season home game, also Senior Night, in front of a very appreciative crowd. 

Bret Trager-Kusman, student manager, Monique Reid and Shelby Harper were escorted onto the court by loved ones in a pregame celebration of the years of contributions they have given to Louisville Women’s Basketball. 

Monique Reid took that momentum straight to the court and scored the Cardinals first 5 points, with the first points for the Cards being a 3-pointer.  Reid hit just her 8^th 3-point shot of her career, and started the scoring for the Cardinals.   Antonita Slaughter also started the game hot and led all scorers at the half with 15 points, and led all scorers for the night with 17.

The Cards won the game, though I would not exactly call it a good night of basketball.  It was not a bad night of basketball either.  Interestingly, though, there were a lot of things a variety of Cards did that stood out to me. 

One of the things I love most about this team is that any number of players can step up on a given night and help carry the team.  Tonight, Bria Smith and Sara Hammond looked a little off their game that we as fans are use to, but Slaughter and Shoni Schimmel stepped up and carried the offensive load.  That being said, there was a great spread of points amongst the players.  Only two ended up in double figures, but 8 of the 10 who played scored, and 5 players scored 7 or more points.  While Slaughter stood out in the first half for her offensive scoring, it was a well-distributed spread of points on the night. 

Referee Thurman Leggs, Jr. makes a cameo in a Paulie picture

The defense of the Cards has been known to keep them in games against tough competition.  This was not the best defensive game of the season by any means, but several players really stood out.  Jude Schimmel led an offensive spark by three consecutive defensive possessions when she had a block, poked a ball out of bounds and then stole the ball.  It was a huge spark for the Cards. 

Sherronne Vails had what I think was one of the best games I have seen her play probably since her freshman year.  In one possession she had two blocks, and totaled 5 on the night.  She was moving offensively with and without the ball and got a couple buckets in transition.  It was a great effort for the “handsy” junior.   Vails has long gotten the short end of my attention due to missed and dropped passes.  While there were a couple of those tonight, she moved with and without the ball better than I have seen her move. 

I was really, really impressed with the effort of Cortnee Walton in the second half.  Her stats are not quite indicative of how well and hard she played in the second half.  On the night she had 7 points, 3 boards and 1 assist.  Most important, though, is she was moving hard and aggressive in the paint and had only 1 turnover.  I am so excited to watch this young woman develop and grow as a player.  She is going to be a big part of the future of this program.  The growth this season alone is only scratching the surface, I believe, of what Walton will bring to Louisville Basketball.  I don’t want to wish these kids lives and careers away, but I can already hardly wait to see the growth she has from off-season workouts.  I expect her to be a workhorse and think we will see huge growth from her these next few years.

Overall, on the night, the most impressive stat for me is ball movement and sharing the ball.  Of the 10 players on the floor for the night, only two did not log at least one assist.  For so long, years even, Cardinal Faithful has been hearing Coach Walz talk about ball movement and making the pass to set up the assist to the bucket.  With the spread of assists on the night, I would say this team is buying in to that philosophy.  It was nice to see and I hope we continue to see more of it.  Way to share the ball and assist the bucket, ladies. 

I would be remiss to not mention Shoni’s effort on the night.  It appears the dust has settled and I would say a good lesson must have been learned.  It was deep in the first half before Shoni even took a shot, shot selection was better (until she had to throw up something due to the expiring shot clock) and there was evidence on the court of defensive effort.  Shoni is not going to win any defensive player of the year awards, but I did witness effort that has been lacking in the past.  I also like her assists on the nights.  When Shoni plays a balanced game, and is not forcing things offensively, this team can compete with most teams in the country.  Keep it up, Shoni. 

The biggest deficit on the night was rebounding.  It has been an Achilles heel all season, and tonight was no different.  The Cards were -6 for the night on the boards.  Given our post presence has taken the hit this year with injuries, this continual problem is to be expected.  I know Coach Walz and Company are working on it.   I know this season is not over yet, but this team has a lot of big bodies, has the big presence of Emmonnie Henderson coming in next year.  Healthy, I expect this to be a big and physical inside game inside next year. 

In the meantime, there is still work to be done.  The Cardinals head to Syracuse to close the regular season on Monday and right now, the team controls their own destiny regarding the Big East Tournament.  Win on Monday, and the team secures a double-bye.  That is two less games that will be played heading in to the Big Dance.  It is an exciting wind down to the season. 

Finally, we cannot state enough the importance of getting your tickets to the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament.  While I firmly believe we have a great fan base, we can and should do better.  We have dropped in attendance this year, and have not only fallen out of second place in the country but we have also dropped to second within our own conference.  If we want to host tournaments, we have to show up.   It is that simple.  Get your tickets.  Show up.  Fill the seats.  Fill the arena.  Support your team and get a couple more opportunities to see your favorite seniors doing the state of Kentucky proud. 

Photo by Austin Lassell. Austinlassell.com

( Editor's Note. Attending these first and second round games makes a big statement in terms of Louisville getting to host future NCAA 1st and 2nd round games and Regionals. Maybe even an ACC Tournament down the road. It's imperative to show up. Buying tickets isn't enough. Get in the seats and cheer. See you there!)


POST GAME PRESS INTERVIEW ROOM LINK BELOW:



WALZ, NITA, MO and SHELBY POST GAME QUOTES

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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Seton Hall visits KFC YUM! Center

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


(Game Report -- Louisville defeats Seton Hall 72-62 on Senior Night in the KFC YUM! Center. Nita Slaughter with 17 points and Shoni Schimmel 15. Jenny's report on the win coming shortly...)


-Cards say goodbye to Harper and Reid on Senior Night.

-Cards look to secure double bye in BIG EAST Tournament with win over Seton Hall

Ahoy, mateys...there be Pirates comin' up the Ohio River. Actually, that isn't exactly true...they'll probably fly in Louisville International Airport....but Anne Donovan's team is scheduled to be Louisville's opponent Wednesday night in the KFC YUM! Center at 7 p.m.

It's Senior Night, and the Cards and fans will say goodbye to two very good and popular ones in a pregame ceremony.

Monique Reid is the last direct player connection to the 2008-2009 National Runner-Up team and she's had a spectacular career here at UofL. She was a starter on the team that went to St. Louis and has scored 1657 points in her career at UofL. That puts her fifth all-time in UofL women's basketball history...she needs 92 to advance to fourth and pass Kristin Maddox (1992-1996).

A scorer from anywhere in the paint, Mo led the team in scoring in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Knee problems have been a constant problem the past two years...limiting her time on the court...but she will remembered as one the Cardinal WBB greats of all time and a tough competitor.

Shelby Harper joined the squad as a walk-on in the 2009-10 season and ended up starting 17 games at point-guard. Known for her excellent ball-handling skills and tenacious defense, Harper has become a crowd favorite over the years and a player that Jeff Walz knows he's always to get 100% out of on both ends of the court.

She's been a key reserve off the bench since her freshman year and has been a hustler...full of energy, fast and ready to take on any defensive assignment. The 'blonde blur' has brought a special kind of excitement and love to the Cardinal WBB fans these past four years and her dedication and energy will be missed.

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Seton Hall (9-18, 4-10) has surprised many by staying out of the BIG EAST cellar this year and although they are coming off a 60-point loss to Connecticut on Saturday...will look to pull they major upset if possible against the Cards. They did break a five game losing streak last week win a impressive 72-56 win over Providence and have wins over Rugters, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati as well in the BIG EAST this year.

Senior Brittany Morris has led them in scoring this year and averages about 13 points a game. Anne Donovan has done a great coaching job with them....given the circumstances.

Ka-Deidre Simmons is a proven scorer as well and the Pirates can drill the three effectively at times...eighth in the conference in percentage.

Last time the Cards and Seton Hall met....Louisville won in South Orange 63-53. Shawnta Dyer's 22 points paced the Cards and Becky Burke added 11.

Louisville leads the all-time series 7-0 and Coach Walz is 5-0 against the Pirates.

Louisville should go to 11-4 in the BIG EAST without a lot of trouble against SHU...if they do, they would technically be in 3rd place in the BIG EAST. Syracuse is at 10-4 after losing to Notre Dame last night. St. John's is 9-4 and plays at Villanova tonight.

The Cards end the regular season against Syracuse next Monday. The 'Cuse has Villanova Saturday and St. John's plays Seton Hall and DePaul in their final two.

Programming note: The game will be on 1080 AM, the guys will be on 790 tonight.

  

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Sandy Walker brings us the weekly Walker walk through Cardinal Women's Athletics. Whether it's wickets wildly waving thru the wicked winter wind or balls bouncing briskly by Bearno's By The Bridge...Sandy's knows about it and isn't afraid to share it with us, you and the staff chimps. It's Laundry Day at CARDINAL COUPLE and Sandy gets to keep all she finds in the pockets.) 



This week Sandy has spent time checking the laundry provisions for all of the women's teams.   We are happy to report that every squad appears to be well supplied with the materials they need.

Coco's young niece Stinky reacting to the Cardinal Couple's Corporate office new installation.  The

national impending budget crisis has resulted in orders for the staff to cut costs.  ( Editor's note: We have also 

cut out the Thursday afternoon buffet and jousting events which were costing us a forutne and blocking traffic on Floyd Street for rush hour. Things came to a head when Co-Co accidently rode her steed over Tom Jurich's car during competiton.)

This great invention allows us to re-use the laundry water to flush the toilet.  She just realized that we must wait until there is laundry being rinsed before she can flush. 

SOFTBALL

Junior Pitcher Caralisa Connell     

4-0 for the week by pitching two

one-hit shutouts  brought her the title of BIG EAST pitcher

of the week.   To date they have a team 12-2 record for the season.

The 18^th ranked team will next play this weekend in Orlando, FL at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.  Games begin in the 2013 Citrus Classic on Friday and conclude on Sunday where they will meet 9^th ranked Texas, Temple, Longwood, Georgia Tech and 10^th ranked LSU.

After that battle the team should be happy to return home the next weekend where they begin a 10 game home stand which extends through March 20^th before again hitting the road so after marking your calendars from http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/lou-w-softbl-sched.html get out your lawn chairs and blankets and plan to spend some time at Ulmer Stadium.

 

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LACROSSE

Lacrosse wins again!

Saturday the team again charged to victory, this time over Old Dominion 21-3.  Six players scored multiple goals all contributed to the teams 3-0 win-loss start. 
 

For her efforts junior goalkeeper Ashley Herbst  

was named this week to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.  In 56 minutes of play against Old Dominion she made eight saves and collected two ground balls. Stats over the 3 games played to date find her ninth-best nationally in goals-against average, 11^th-best in save percentage clips while also ranked 26th in the nation for saves.

Coach Young is as happy as a pig with boots!

Next the team is packing their bags for Colorado as they play again this Saturday against Denver.

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE NEWS

Lacrosse magazine author Robbie Levin has named Sacred Heart Academy as the 10^th ranked high school team from the South region.  In addition the magazine has listed among the girl’s games to watch the March 1 Kentucky Country Day verses the No. 10 ranked Sacred Heart Academy.  Looks like KY has some up and coming Lacrosse players available where Head Coach Kellie Young

Kellie Young

can continue this year’s change in pattern which is to recruit then train experienced Lacrosse players instead of good athletes who she then teaches the beginning steps of how to play Lacrosse.   It looks like even better days are ahead for this team.

LAX TERMINOLOGY

Foul Play!   

A violation of the rules results in a major or minor foul, awarding a free position to the fouled player. It is a major foul when a player charges, pushes, trips, blocks, or makes physical contact with an opponent; "slashes" an opposing ballcarrier;

commits a "shooting space violation;" or invades the body space of an opposing player, such as touching her stick to that player's body. A minor foul is called if a player uses her stick or foot to shield a ground ball; if a player kicks the ball or touches it with her hands (except for the goalie inside her crease). Also, no part of a player's body or stick may enter the crease while the goalie is in her position there.

(Taken from Lacrosse 101 at

 http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/081506aab.html)

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GRANNY’S GOT GAME MOVIE UPDATE

The Beaufort International Film Festival was the location where out of 28 submitted films, Granny’s Got Game, won the Audience Choice award after being voted their favorite.    The event was extra special as 5 of the Fabulous 70s basketball players (Judy, Mary, Sarah, Shirley, and Wanda) were able to attend. 

Granny's Got Game is a documentary film about a senior women's basketball team in North Carolina. These seven fiercely competitive women in their seventies battle physical limitations and skepticism to keep doing what they love. The film follows them for a year as they compete for another National Senior Games championship.” The movie pre-view can be seen at http://www.grannysgotgame.com/.

You can watch an interview of the film maker, Angela Gorsica Alford, and the ladies who attended on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW0pfu2fCIA&feature=youtu.be. It is hoped that eventually a showing will come to our area.

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KFC YUM! CENTER REPLAYS

I take absolutely no credit for the change  but since I complained a couple of weeks ago about the lack of replays during the women’s basketball games at the KFC YUM! CENTER I absolutely have noticed more replays being shown.   Good Move !

(Editor's note...Just to clarify, that WASN'T Sandy standing behind Louisville public address announcer Sean Moth screaming "Show IT, Show it again, Baldy!" after a good Cardinal play in the South Florida game. Unfortunately, good plays were a rarity in the USF game...unless you focused in on Andrea Smith's three-point shooting or Inga Orekhova's drives to the hoop.)

Anything that so easily increases the fan’s entertainment and enjoyment of the time spent at the games is a good deal.   Particularly for an idea that does not appear to increase the arena costs.  With more of the women’s home games now on television where the at home fan is shown multiple replays and also has the ability the view their own choice of replays we need the bucket in the KFC YUM! CENTER seat fan to experience as much of this as possible.

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SOCCER


Women’s soccer hosted their awards banquet on Feb 8 and was held at the PNC Club inside Papa Johns Stadium.    Awards went to Chloe Kiefer for Most Valuable Player and as the MVP Defensive player, Charlyn Corral was named the Offensive MVP, Megan Berberick was chosen for the 12^th Man Award, Julie Casselman earned the Cardinal Award and Angelika Uremovickh was selected for the Coach's Award.



Nicole Gerber

For an inside the look at the Louisville women’s soccer program, GoCards.com will provide weekly updates in a "Behind the Scenes" blog. Throughout the spring semester they will provide weekly blog updates. For the month of February, Nicole Gerber takes on this task.  Her article and others throughout the season can be read at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/022213aac.html.



Mark your calendars for April 7 as Old Miss is coming to town for the Soccer Cards first home game this season at Cardinal Park – It appears that this season may be the last for play inside the track as Athletic Director Tom Jurich has announced a target date of spring 2014 for the opening of a new 17.5 million dollar state of the art facility dedicated specifically for soccer.  Teams currently have been playing at the Cardinal Park Soccer and Track Stadium.
 

It was opened in the spring of 2000 and seats 2200 fans which soon will not be close to enough seating for their fans. The construction which was hoped to be completed for the schools entry into the ACC now has the go ahead to begin thanks to the recently announced 5 million dollar donation by Dr. Mark Lynn and his wife, Cindy.  Their generosity brings U of L to within 3 million of their total goal.  The University of Louisville continues to grow their facilities with the intent to be the best for ALL athletes.

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BASKETBALL

Calling all Basketball fans – Wednesday is absolutely your last time this season to see the basketball women at home during the regular season.   This week’s game against Seton Hall which begins at 7:00 is also Seniors Night.  

 

  Come out to honor and show your appreciation for the women’s 3 basketball seniors, Shelby, Asia and Monique.

(Editor's note...Jeff Walz, pictured here, has felt the stress and strain of a season filled with injuries and ever-so-tough BIG EAST competiton. Coach remains optimistic, though, that this team...in whatever shape and form it travels to Hartford in...will give a good account of itsself in the BIG EAST Tournament. Coach Walz will have his first radio show tonight at 5:30 p.m. on 790 Cards Radio WKRD. Please don't call up and order a large sausage with green peppers or ask if Little Richie is going to play Weds. night and how many points is he going to score...)

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2013 NCAA Tournament Selection Show

Once again the women’s basketball fans are invited to join the team for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show where the fate of our team in the first round of big dance will be disclosed.  Doors to the KFC YUM! Center will open at 6:00 on Monday March 18 with the ESPN selection show beginning at 7:00.  Those of you who arrive late will be shuttled to the outdoor viewing station.

Admission is free where you will not only to learn what teams will be coming to Louisville for the 1^st and 2^nd rounds of play but also where you and your kids can experience inflatable’s and a free photo booth.
 

The Selection Show will be featured on the scoreboard at the arena and seating will be limited to sections 115, 116, and 117.  Fans can also purchase tickets for the March 24 and 26^th games when they can experience Louisville hosting the first ever NCAA first and second round games ever to be held at the KFC YUM! Center.
 

For more information please contact Katie Kiper at 852.0721 or email her at Katie@gocards.com.

Sandy

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Louisville teams go undefeated over weekend

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


SUNDAY GAME REPORTS

-WBB wins over Villanova

-Softball takes two on Sunday...goes 3-0 in Classic

-Lacrosse wins Saturday over ODU 21-3

Louisville women's basketball overcame a 42-40 Villanova lead with 6:15 left to defeat Villanova 55-49 in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon. Bria Smith led the way with 16, Nita Slaughter and Sara Hammond had 10 points and nine rebounds for the 22-6, 10-4 Lady Cards. Sherrone Vails added nine for Louisville...who was without Monique Reid (knee) for the contest and Shoni Schimmel in the second half (coaches decision).  In addition, Jude Schimmel fell to the floor with an injury with less than a minute to go. No word on her condition as we went to press.

Louisville started strong against the Wildcats, taking the lead 6-5 on a Smith layup with 18:07 left in the first half. They increased that to 11-5 after Smith scored again with 16:17 on the clock. The Cards played an excellent first 13 minutes of hoops and actually led 23-11 when Vails hit a free throw with 6:52 to go in the first half.

Nova, though...rallied to outscore the Cards 13-5 the rest of the way...Devon Kane's free throw creating a 28-24 halftime score.

Laura Sweeney tied the contest at 30-30 on a layup with 18:19 on the clock in the second half. Nova still led 42-40 before a Smith jumper....which sparked a 15-7 closing run for UofL over the final six minutes. Smith gave the Cards the lead at 45-43 at the 4:56 mark. Vails scored inside to make it 47-43. After a Laura Sweeney score cut the Louisville lead to two, Vails jumper at 1:33 gave Louisville a 49-45 advantage. Louisville then hit their final six free throws in a row...four by Slaughter and two by Smith to preserve the win.

55-49 CARDS ON THE ROAD!

Jude Schimmel went to the locker room hobbling with assistance with 44 seconds left in the game. Her sister Shoni did not play in the second half...ending up with two points.

Post game comments from Jeff Walz indicated that he challenged the team at halftime and asked Jude, Bria and Shoni if they wanted to play in the second half. Jude and Bria answered yes and Shoni did not reply to the question.

Walz assumed this meant she didn't and did not insert her into the game in the final twenty. Shoni did go to the locker room when her sister was injured.

Walz was uncertain of how long Shoni would remain on the Cards bench...stating that was up to her and her commitment to the team. The extent of Jude's injury was unknown when we went to publish.

Walz also mentioned that Monique Reid was held out because of her knee but would mostly likely play against Seton Hall Wednesday...which is the Cards last home game of the regular season and Senior Night.

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SOFTBALL SWEEPS TWO SUNDAY

Louisville won both games Sunday in the Cardinal Classic at Ulmer Stadium. That gave the Cards a 4-0 weekend...they also defeated Kent State Friday and Buffalo 9-3 on Sunday

Louisville 3 - Kent State 2

In the re-match from Friday's game Rachel LeCoq went 4.2 innings an allowed two runs on seven hits and Caralisa Connell came in for the save for the one-run Louisville win over the Golden Flashes. Louisville defeated KSU for the second time in three days.

The Cards scored twice in the second inning, getting three straight walks for Alicja Wolny, Hannah Kiyohara and Taner Fowler. A Whitney Arion single plated Wolny and Kiyohara.

After two Kent State runs in the fifth that sent Le Coq to the bench and tied the game....Louisville countered with a run in the sixth that proved to be the difference.

Hannah Kiyohara reached on a fielders choice and scored on a Maggie Ruckenbrod single.

Connell gave up just two hits in 2.1 innings pitched for the win.

Louisville 5 - Eastern Illinois 0

Connell was sharp in the shut-out win, going the distance and striking out 10 EIU batters while allowing just one hit in the Sunday nightcap.  

Louisvlle got their first run in the fourth inning when Katie Keller walked and scored on a mishandled- Kiyohara grounder to second.

The Cards tacked on four more in the fifth. Ruckenbrod singled, Mann reached on a bunt that advanced Ruckenbrod and Fowler's double scored both. Jennifer Esteban came in to run for Fowler and scored on a wild pitch. The Cards made it 5-0 when Kayla Soles singled and hit the plate on a Wolny double.

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LACROSSE DOMINATES OLD DOMINION

On Saturday, the Louisville Lacrosse team went to 3-0 with a 21-3 win over Old Dominion. Kaylin Morrissette had five scores for the Cards in the romp.

The Cards had two goals in the first minute and two more in the second minute. After ODU scored, Louisville responded with a 5-0 run....Nikki Boltja getting three of them. Morissette two. The Cards led 14-3 at the half and shut out the Monarchs 7-0 in the final 30 minutes for the easy win.

The eighteen goal margin tied a program record and three goals allowed tied the second best defensive performance in Louisville Lacrosse history.

The squad plays against Denver on the road next on Saturday.

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Preview of Lady Cards WBB vs. Villanova

( Quentin Voigt sets us up for Sunday 2 p.m. game against the Wildcats -- no, not those Wildcats -- in Philly. For cheese-steaks, Rocky references and more...read below.)

Harry Perretta, head coach of the Villanova Wildcats women's basketball team for the past 35 years, achieved two milestones in 2011-12. He got his 600th. career victory and coached in his 1000th. career game. He's one of seven D1 coaches to win 600 games at one school and the seventh coach in D1 history to coach 1000 games at one school. Coach Perretta appears to be a very fundamentalist teacher of the game. His teams have led the nation on numerous occasions (including three of the past six years) in fewest turnovers committed per game. 

This year, they are once again demonstrating how they value possessions. They cough it up only 11 times a session. Harry will regularly play 9 individuals for 15+ minutes an outing. VU is sixth in the nation in scoring defense. They average 7.4 made three-pointers per game, while attempting 24.7.

Leading scorers consist of 6'2" senior Laura Sweeney at 13.2 ppg and 5'9" senior Rachel Roberts with 10.5 ppg. It seems like they've been at Nova since the turn of the century. 5'10" freshman Caroline Coyer gets 7.2 ppg --along with Laura Burford. Sweeney leads in boards grabbed at 6.8 a contest. Roberts hits 40% from three-point land and Burford 39%.

The Wildcats play their home games in the Pavilion with a capacity of 6500. The student section is right on top of the playing floor -- which you must experience to believe.

An awesome advantage if you use it. Sadly, the largest attendance this season has been 2939 for the Notre Dame visit. They average 991 a home game.

Excellently coached Villanova is 18-7, 7-5. A tough trip awaits the Cards. A lot at stake in conference positioning.

-Quentin Voigt

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Nova was pre-season ranked to finish 10th. in the Big East. The fact that they are jumbled up with DePaul, USF and Rutgers battling for sixth is impressive. Their pre-season schedule not so impressive as far as opponents went...a win over Temple and lost to Delaware the only games of consequence. In the BIG EAST, losses to Marquette and Providence are eyebrow-raising...but they have knocked off DePaul and USF....teams that have gone 1-1 with the Cards this year.

Sweeney will punish you inside if allowed to do so. Burford and Roberts bring the trey ball.

The Cards knocked them off last year in the YUM! Center 62-58, getting four players in double figures in a game that was knotted up 21-21 at half time. Louisville defeated them again in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament 63-47 after a 29-29 first half tie....Shoni getting 20 in the win.

Jeff Walz is 7-0 lifetime against Harry.

Which Cardinal team will make the trip to Philly? The fired-up bunch who pounded DePaul or the group that slept-walked through the USF contest? Only three games left in the regular season. Fourth place, a double bye in the BIG EAST Tournament...things obtainable for the Lady Cards if they take care of business.

TCB, ladies...

Paulie

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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Softball win, Big Sports weekend!

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Connell blanks Kent State in Cardinal Classic

-Lacrosse hosts Old Dominion today

-Oh, yeah...it's on!


The University of Louisville Softball team is glad to be home and playing softball after two straight weekends on the road playing in tournaments in Las Vegas and Jacksonville. Probably no one more happier than junior pitcher Caralisa Connell...who blanked Kent State Friday in softball action at Ulmer Stadium. "Carl" allowed one hit in the win, picking up her second shutout of the year in a 5-0 win over the Golden Flashes.

How much is enough? Coach Pearsall waxed philosophical about the win:

"Caralisa pitched a very good game. Defensively, I thought we did what we needed to do. Even though we scored five runs, as an offensive coach, I'm always thinking we can improve and make better decisions. Overall, I was pleased with the win."

( Awwww...Coach P, we love ya and don't find anything at all offensive about ya. Unless you let your dogs do their business in the outfield berm..)

Louisville broke open a scoreless battle in the second inning, using hits by Jordy Trimble ( my favorite player!) and Whitney Arion...plus a couple of Kent State defensive errors to go up 2-0. Louisville added three more runs in the fifth, Arion getting a triple and scoring on Katelyn Mann's single and Katie Keller driving home two more.

Connell (2012 CARDINAL COUPLE reader-selected Favorite UofL women's athlete) retired the final 10 batters she faced. What she's doing pitching to people getting ready to retire...we have no clue...but I hope their financially ready for the "golden years".

#18 Louisville (9-2) plays again tomorrow at Ulmer. Get out there and cheer them on. They face Buffalo at 12:30 p.m.

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Lacrosse attempts to go 3-0 against Old Dominion at 1 p.m. in the Lacrosse Stadium today. Been to a lacrosse game yet? It's a shame that softball and lacrosse are within a half-hour of each other...gotta choose Cardinal fans...but Kellie Young has a heckuva team and they are a lot of fun to watch.

Go see one or the other, Cardinal fans. You'll have a big time at either.

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And, yes...it's true! CARDINAL COUPLE will be going on the radio with a weekly show beginning next Saturday (March 2nd.) on Crescent Hill Radio

http://www.crescenthillradio.com

We report on the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports here. It's what we do. We're going to do the same on the air. We've got our favorite Robbie Bartlett for the intro and exit song, the staff chimps have been bathed and dressed for the occasion and Bill the Goat will be out front nibbling on the hedges and chasing people down Frankfort Avenue.

A guaranteed good time for all...




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Friday Cardinal Couple

Softball, Soccer Stadium, Signing, Sticks and Soundchecks

Softball Schedule and Honors

Anyone have a synonym for "honors" that begins with "s"?
 

Softball is off to a good start to their season, with ten games under their belts already, and only two losses.  Today is the home opener for softball, against Kent State, with a first pitch scheduled for 2:30pm.  Kent State plays an earlier game, starting at noon, against Buffalo.  While we were worried about sleet, ice, and other wintery weather last night, game time is expected to be mostly sunny at 53 degrees, which for the end of February, isn't too shabby of a forecast to go watch a Softball game.  I may play hooky for the afternoon and head out to Ulmer Stadium to catch at least a few innings. 

Softball continues play in the Cardinal Classic at 12:30pm on Saturday in a game with Buffalo.  Buffalo starts off the play Saturday at 10am against Eastern Illinois, and there will be a late game at 3pm between Kent State and Eastern Illinois.  The Cardinal Classic finishes off on Sunday with a 10am first pitch between Eastern Illinois and Buffalo.  UofL will play the last two games at 12:30pm versus Kent State, and 3pm against Eastern Illinois.

Sandy Pearsall's squad is sitting at number 18 in both softball polls and has already shown that they're going to be putting a lot of shots over the fences this season.  If you sit out on the berm, keep alert when the Cards are at bat.

In addition to the team ranking, Hannah Kiyohara picked up a Big East Player of the Week award, and Rachel Lecoq was named to the league honor roll.

I saw several games last year and was mightily impressed by the intelligence of the play of this team.  I saw very few mental errors in their play...occasional bobbles and mishandled balls, which just comes from being human...but almost never mental mistakes.  This is the type of play that I really love to see as a spectator.  Many people get excited about athletic prowess, like who can run the fastest and jump the highest...and that can certainly be exciting...but I find there's a sublime pleasure in watching a well executed play, regardless of the sport, and even if it doesn't require amazing jumping ability or speed.

( How about salutations, Jeff?  --Paulie)

Soccer Stadium Announced

Hard to miss the coverage yesterday of the new soccer stadium that Tom Jurich is building for Louisville Soccer.  Both the men's and women's squads will play in the new home for Louisville Soccer which will be basically across the street from the Yum! Center on Floyd street on campus.

The soccer teams have been playing in the infield of the track and field stadium...not bad digs, to be sure...but will have their own dedicated facility with all the features that you would expect of a world class facility, as well as all the features that you would expect of a UofL athletics facility...but I repeat myself.

The plan to build a soccer stadium has been anything but secret around the UofL Athletic Department, but the official announcement of the plan was being held until the initial funding was in place.  A more than generous gift from Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn has gotten the effort to that point.  The Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium is expected to be ready for the 2014 season to start off UofL's tenure in the ACC.

Signing News Continue

Justine Sowry continues to ration the National Letter of Intent signing news for Field Hockey.  This week, announcing the signing of Stephanie Byrne.  Also out of Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey, she'll be joining her teammate from that school, Gianna Peronne, who's signing was announced on signing day two weeks ago.

There are three more Field Hockey signings to be announced, so I expect I'll have another three weeks to run the singing vs signing joke well and truly into the ground.  Will there be more Eastern Regional teammates joining Gianna and Stephanie?  Stay tuned and we'll be sure to let you know.

Lacrosse Sticks in Action Saturday

Lacrosse is in action against Saturday against Old Dominion at 1pm in the Lacrosse Stadium. Lacrosse is off to a perfect start in early season play at 2-0.  The Lacrosse team is coming off of a huge upset win over Ohio State last weekend.  It may be a bit chilly, but Lacrosse appears to be a team on the rise, so let's support them in what looks like it might be a break-out season.

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TESTING, TESTING...

Look what we've done now, Ma.

CARDINAL COUPLE is taking to the radio. Beginning Saturday, March 2nd., CARDINAL COUPLE will have an hour-long show on Crescent Hill Radio from 11 a.m. to noon.

http://www.crescenthillradio.com

Just when you thought it was safe to return to the Internet and this happens...

Crescent Hill Radio (for now) is an internet-only station. That, in itself, though is pretty cool. Tibetian Monks, huddled around a laptop...listening intently to Paulie discuss the Villanova game. Day-traders in Hong Kong grimacing as Jenny describes the horrid refereeing in the USF contest. Ranchers in Montana on their smartphones reacting to the BIG EAST Standings report. The possibilities are endless!

This site is about the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. That's what the radio show will be about also.

We will look at Louisville women's sports for an hour each week. You just might never be the same.



Join us, won't you?

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