Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- USA WBB WUGS get Gold

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- USA WBB WUGS roll past Russia 90-71

- Corral, Mexico fall in final to Great Britian

- Two days left to vote for ESPY's

It was hyped to be the ultimate matchup. A Russian team that had obliterated its previous five opponents against a USA squad, also undefeated, that had undergone a blood pressure check in escaping against a determined Aussie team two days earlier. Russia and the USA in a donnybrook.

It turned out to be a rout...USA jumping out to a 13-3 lead to begin the game and never in any serious danger while winning the third consecutive gold medal for the United States in World University Games women's basketball.

Offense, it is said...fills the seats but defense wins games. The USA WUGS applied a blistering first half defense that limited Russia to 31.4% shooting and a 41-27 halftime lead

With four players in double figures and shooting 52.5% for the game, the United States led by 24 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and Russia never got closer than 15 the rest of the way.

As for Ms. Schimmel...three minutes of mop up play...gathering one assist and taking no shots. She finished the six games with a 4.6 ppg, 3 assists stat line while averaging 12.6 minutes a game. Those numbers pretty much garnered from the first three games...she saw a total of 10 minutes and no points against Brazil, Australia and Russia in the final three USA contests. 

Still, she's only the second Lady Cardinal to ever win a gold medal with USA Basketball...Angel McCoughtry preceding her in the category. On a team deep with guards, Schimmel fell to the bottom of head coach Sherri Coale's rotation..behind talented Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Bria Hartley, Odyssey Sims, Ariel Massengale, Aaryn Ellenberg and Crystal Bradford. We've expressed our thoughts on Coale's rotation...the bottom line, however is that it takes a team effort to win championships and Shoni's role, although limited, was in a team venue and concept.

Hey...there's a lot worse ways to spend two week in July. Shoni got to travel, practice against the best in women's college basketball and add to her resume. All things that will bode well for the UofL senior as she and her teammates attempt to return to the NCAA WBB Final Four. A quick turn-around for Shoni...from Kazan, Russia to the ESPY awards Wednesday night in Los Angeles...where her 2012-13 UofL team is nominated for Upset of the Year.

Could anyone blame her for wanting to take the upcoming weekend off?

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Louisville women's soccer star Charlyn Corral scored once in Mexico's 6-2 defeat to Great Britian in the WUGS women's soccer gold match.

Her goal gave Mexico a 2-1 lead at the 28 minute mark of the championship game. It was 2-2 late in the contest before the Brits exploded for four goals after the 86 minute mark.

Corral's 10 goals in six matches was four goals better than anyone else in the competition. The senior-to-be at Louisville brings the silver back to campus after a outstanding performance on the world's stage.

Could anyone blame Louisville head soccer coach Karen Ferguson Dayes for walking around campus with a big smile these days? A healthy Corral and Christine Exeter gives Louisville two prime weapons against the competition this fall. We're trying to catch up with Coach Karen for an interview for Saturday's radio show. We may have to check the stratosphere...since Coach Karen is probably walking on air lately...

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The ESPY's are Wednesday night. Two Louisville categories we think you should for for are the best coach and biggest upset. Louisville in each category, of course.

Just got off the phone with coach Jeff Walz this morning, who is driving to St. Louis to fly out for the ceremonies. He'll hook up with Jude, Shoni, Bria, Sara and Nita out there for the show.

We'll have the full phone interview on the Saturday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO on Crescent Hill Radio. A couple of teasers...

-What benefits does Coach Walz think being a candidate for an award provide for Louisville women's basketball?

-Is it Coach Walz's first trip to the ESPY's?

-Were Coach Walz and Shoni staying in touch during the WUGS?

Tune in Saturday morning for these answers and more words from Walz at 11 a.m.

www.crescenthillradio.com
 
You can also listen to last Saturday's show and previous CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO shows in the archives section at Crescent Hill Radio's homepage.

Also, when listening to the show "live" ... you do have to pick a selection (like Windows Media or another) to hear the broadcast. The preview that plays on the home page DOES NOT automatically connect you to our show. Sonja found that out the hard way last week.



--Paulie

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