Five Questions for...Justine Sowry -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

9-1 CARDS HEAD TO #4 SYRACUSE

COACH HAS A NEW RED WALL IN HER OFFICE! 

Undefeated on the road this year and ranked #7 in the nation...the Louisville Field Hockey team is off to their best start since 1977. We had the chance to catch up with head coach Justine Sowry on Wednesday prior to their departure for Syracuse and took a look at past, present and future for the Trager Stadium dwellers...here's five questions with Justine:



1) TELL US ABOUT THE TRIP TO CAROLINA LAST WEEKEND? 

"It was a great trip, Paulie. In our many conversations about the team, I've been critical about areas we need to improve upon...but playing against Wake Forest was probably our best game of the season so far...and maybe over a few years. I had to watch video to find areas to improve upon because we played fantastic field hockey winning 2-0."

"We followed it up against Appalachian State. It's always hard to come back on a Sunday after a tough contest on the road and they had more energy than us in the first half probably...but we eventually controlled the tempo and went pretty deep into our squad to get the 4-1 victory. To come away with two road trip wins in an environment that wasn't always easy is very pleasing."

2) YOU HEAD TO SYRACUSE FRIDAY FOR MAYBE YOU'RE TOUGHEST GAME OF THE SEASON? THEY WERE #1 AND NOW #4...

WILL Q SHOW UP FOR THE SYRACUSE
VS. LOUISVILLE FIELD HOCKEY GAME?

"This is definitely a challenging stretch for us. Syracuse is a quality program, they're the defending national champions. They attack with numbers. They put a lot of pressure on you defensively. Wake Forest prepared us for that pressure...we just have to tidy up a couple of areas and make sure we're on the same page up there. They're strong in the midfield and it'll be our job to put pressure on their backfield." 



3) AFTER SYRACUSE, YOU RETURN FOR A FIVE GAME HOME STAND. FOUR OF THESE OPPONENTS ARE IN THE TOP 25. A TOUGH CHALLENGE.

" It is really a tough stretch for us. We know our ACC opponents are always going to be tough and the two BIG 10 opponents coming in are tough as well. The BIG 10 is much stronger this year...they go five, six teams deep in the rankings. It is an incredible opportunity for us to see where we're really at." 

4) THE NORTHWESTERN GAME IS ALL-AMERICAN BANNER REVEAL AFTERNOON. WHO ARE THE PLAYERS THAT WILL BE REVEALED ON THE BANNERS? 

" Vic Stratton, who was a excellent defender for us and is currently a volunteer coach for us is one. Her parents will be here from New Zealand for the ceremonies and that's a very exciting thing for her and our team . Ayeshia McFerran became an All-American last year also, as a freshman, which is a first for us. 

Step Dancing is quite difficult...it's trained Ayeshia
well for goalkeeping, we surmise. 

5) I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT AYESHIA IS SKILLED AT IRISH STEP DANCING AND PLAYING THE FLUTE. ANY CHANCE WE COULD GET HER TO PUT ON A HALFTIME SHOW? 

" I know she'd certainly be up for that challenge and we're well aware of her dancing skills. The flute I wasn't as aware about. I don't want her playing the flute, though...[ laughter ]... 


( Be sure to catch the entire Sowry interview on our Saturday radio show...THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. This week (weather permitting) we'll be doing the show live from the Ohio River at Louisville Rowing's RED AND BLACK REGATTA. 
The show starts at 11 a.m....on WCHQ 100.9 FM and streams live on the Internet at www.crescenthillradio.com  Take Crescent Hill radio with you wherever you go by downloading the WCHQ app...available at the website.)

paulie
xxxxx