Wonderful Weekend Awaits -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CAMPUS CRAZY THIS WEEKEND? YOU BET!

If it isn't one of the biggest weekends in history for UofL sports, it certainly ranks up there in the top five. Beginning tonight, the best invade the 'Ville to take on various sports squads. 
We'll give you a day-by-day breakdown on what you want to see and where you want to be! 

THURSDAY

Louisville Volleyball brings in the UK Volleyball squad for a 7 p.m. Battle of the Bluegrass in the KFC YUM! Center. Another tough contest for the 4-4 Cards...who spent last weekend in North Carolina facing #5 Minnesota and #2 Wisconsin. The Cards haven't defeated UK in wide net action since 2012...back when Lola Arslanbeckova, Katie George and Gwen Rucker graced the roster. The Cats come into the KFC YUM! Center at 5-5. They've had their ups and downs this season as well...but freshman Leah Edmond has been impressive for them and blockers Kaz Brown and Emily Franklin return...they've never lost to the Cards.

For Louisville, dealing with injuries, concussions and position adjustments has Anne Kordes burning the midnight oil in her efforts to get the squad ready for the ACC. Freshman outside hitter Melanie McHenry has been a pleasant surprise for the Cards and veterans Tess Clark and Janelle Jenkins are capable of turning in big efforts for UofL. Sophomore Jasmine Bennett can be a force at the net for UofL and Molly Sauer keeps digging for the Cards.


Interview with Anne Kordes in advance of the match against Kentucky.

FRIDAY

We get it started at Trager Stadium...where UofL Field Hockey (#6 in the nation and 6-0 for the season) hosts #2 Duke. Admission is free and a 6 p.m. start is planned for this ACC match. Duke is 6-0 also and coach Pam Bustin has gotten the most out of her freshmen and veterans. 

The Cards haven't been challenged in six contests yet and are bound and determined to re-create the win they had over Duke in Trager back in 2014. Erin McCrudden leads the nation in assists ratio per contest and goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran is tops in DI Field Hockey in least goals allowed per game ratio. The Cards are also #1 in margin of victory in NCAA Field Hockey. 

Protect Trager and play their game. It's the Cards gameplan for Friday night in this showdown between #2 and #6. 

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At 7 p.m. #1 Notre Dame men's soccer comes to Lynn Stadium to play the Cards. Louisville will look to try and control the tempo against the Irish and show plenty of energy against the aggressive Irish squad. The Cards are coming off wins over Pittsburgh and Xavier and stand 4-1-1 on the season. Graduate transfer Stefan Cleveland has been a big boost at goal and Mohamed Thiaw has provided the offensive punch for the Cards. 

Notre Dame is 6-0 and recently downed UConn and Virginia Tech in their last two outings. 

The Cards didn't face the Irish in 2015 and last beat them in 2012...so none of the current players on the UofL roster have ever won against Notre Dame. Time to change that Friday night! 

SATURDAY

It's ESPN Gameday in Louisville, KY! The #2 Florida State University Seminoles come to town to face the #10 Cards. 

It's gonna get crazy up in here, ya'll. 

They're opening "the pit" at 5 a.m....just to give you an idea. The "pit" is the area behind the GameDay Crew's stage. That'll be over by the Trager Practice facility. 

Five things we'll look for:

1) What hat or mascot head will Lee Corso put on? He does it each week when he makes his pick to win the game. Here's hoping it's Louie.

2) Will we get "drunk guy on the field"? It happened at the MNF Rams vs. 49ers. It's a national stage. It's stupid, ill-advised and you will not escape, but people try it from time-to-time. 

3) How will "Lamarvelous" perform against the Noles?  I'll make a guess and say 4 touchdowns...(2 throwing, 2 running). 

4) Rain? Go away...Unfortunately, there is a 80% rain Saturday. Note that the Cards defeated FSU in a torrential downpour back in 2002. We rather see a Louisville win in dry weather. 

5) How many fans will go in 90 minutes before the game? That's when the "Happy Hour and a Half" begins. Discount prices on beverages. Louisvillians love to tailgate.  

Big game. Big day. Can we get Henry Miller to return for just one game? 

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Louisville women's soccer heads to Pitt for their ACC opener. They'll do the first kick around 7 p.m. Pitt (1-7-1) is off to a rough start...but you NEVER overlook ANY ACC foe. The Cards (5-2-1) will look to shut the Panthers down with one of the best defenses in the ACC. You can catch this one on the ACC Network Extra platform. 


SUNDAY

Still ready to don the red and root? Ohio State comes to Trager to face Field Hockey at 1 p.m. and Lipscomb will face Louisville Volleyball in Cardinal Arena on campus at 7




WE'LL HAVE MORE ON ALL THESE EVENTS HERE AT THE WEBSITE...PLUS COVER THEM ON OUR SATURDAY RADIO SHOW AT WCHQ 100.9 FM. 

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-PAULIE
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