WSOC wins at Pitt 1-0..FH knocks off OSU 2-1.Full WBB schedule out...Football: A postscript -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( A bit of catch-up on the weekend...while still reveling in the Louisville Football win)  

WHITFIELD'S GOAL THE DIFFERENCE AT PITT

Allison Whitfield's goal 15 minutes into the contest off a corner kick was all the Kickin' Cards needed to down Pittsburgh 1-0 for their first ACC win of the season on Saturday night. 

Coach KFD was pleased:

" It is great to open the ACC with a win, especially one to tne road. Our back line did well and Taylor (Bucklin) was very good in goal tonight to help us get the shutout." 

Bucklin was busy...recording a season high eight saves in the contest.  Louisville finished with a 13-9 shot advantage. Louisville goes to 6-2-1 on the season and heads to Duke next for a Thursday 7 p.m. match against the 6-2-1 Blue Devils. 

ACC wins are good. On the road even better. 




FIELD HOCKEY HANGS ON AGAINST BUCKEYES 2-1

Louisville Field Hockey rebounded from the Friday loss to Duke and downed The Ohio State University 2-1 in Trager Stadium Sunday afternoon. 

The Cards got on the board early in this one...scoring when Nicole Woods took a rebound off a Lizzie Gittens penalty corner shot and guided it into the net just 3:16 into the contest. 

That was the only score in the first half...Louisville defense keeping the Buckeyes at bay...but also experiencing a tough time maneuvering against the OSU back line. 

Justine Sowry had mixed reviews about the contest...as she explained to our "Worldwide" Jeff McAdams...who conducted the post-game interview. Link below:  

WORLDWIDE AND JUSTINE TALK ABOUT IT

The Cards struck quickly in the second half to go up 2-0...another penalty corner opportunity where Minout Mink tool the feed and spot and pounded it home for her ninth score of the season. OSU climbed back within one with about 10 minutes remaining in the match...but the Louisville defense held firm and prevented the tying score. 

The teams tied in shots with 14 each (Louisville's Nicole Woods attempting seven of Louisville's). UofL had a slight 8-7 shot on goal advantage and Cardinal goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran came up with six saves as the Cards go to 7-1 on the season. 

A Friday trip to Wake Forest awaits the Cards next...the #11 Demon Deaconesses lost to #1 Syracuse 4-2 Sunday and will bring a 4-3 (0-2 ACC) record to the pitch at 7 p.m. The Cards are still #6 in the polls...we'll see where they land when the new prognostications come out Tuesday...




ACC SCHEDULE RELEASED...WBB SCHEDULE COMPLETED NOW. 

The ACC released their conference schedule for women's basketball (actually a few days ago...we're just getting caught up on that) and from all appearances...they did Louisville no favors early on. Yes, the Cards open up the ACC at home...but against national runner-up Syracuse...Thursday, Dec 19th. Then the Cards take to the road for two...at Duke and Virginia. 

I  know, you have to play them all eventually...and the Cards do get four Sunday games at home on the 16 game ACC slate (Sunday games are my favorite). Eight at home, eight on the road. All of them tough and a challenge. 

Rundown: 

Thursday Dec. 29   Syracuse
Monday Jan 2         at Duke
Thursday Jan 5       at Virginia
Sunday Jan 8          Pittsburgh
Thursday Jan 12     at Florida State
Sunday Jan 15        Miami
Wednesday Jan 18 Georgia Tech
Thursday Jan 26     at Clemson
Sunday Jan 29        at Pittsburgh
Thursday Feb 2       NC State
Monday Feb 6         at Notre Dame
Thursday Feb 9       at Virginia Tech
Sunday Feb 12        Boston College 
Sunday Feb 19        North Carolina
Thursday Feb 23     Virginia
Sunday Feb 26        at Wake Forest


Five things about the schedule: 

1) It's our turn to go to Notre Dame. A Monday night affair...which will get a ESPN2 slot for the Cards...but makes it tough for travel. Only one of two Monday ACC games for the Cards...both on the road.

2) Virginia the only school the Cards will face twice. Both on Thursday nights. The Cards are 2-2 lifetime against the Cavs in women's basketball but have never won in Charlottesville. 


3) Nice to have a three game home stretch near the end of the season...hosting B.C, UNC and the Cavaliers. These should be three wins for the Cards...which could make a difference if it turns out to be a close conference battle with the 'Cuse and Notre Dame for top-three finishes in the ACC. 

4) Louisville will play (as of now) five top 25 schools in Notre Dame, FSU, Miami, Syracuse and NC State. Three at home, two on the road. 

5) None of the Cards final five opponents are ranked in the "way-too-early" ESPN Top 25 poll. Things change, of course...but another plus when looking at strong finishes and seeding possibilities. 

All in all, I schedule I can live with. Travel to away games? The Duke and Virginia trip right after New Year might be fun...never been to Wake Forest for a WBB game and depending on where the ACC Tournament ends up could be a possibility too. Of course, if Walz offers me a seat on the away game charters...that's an entirely different story...but that has about as much chance happening as me replacing Myisha Hines-Allen in the starting lineup... 


HOOTBALL

Sometimes I dance with toys...

And, it was a hoot Saturday at the FSU game. I wasn't as intrepid as our writer Case...who hit the premises at 3:30 a.m. (and if you haven't read his excellent write up from Sunday...please go back and do so!) but I managed to get to my tailgate spot around 7:45 a.m. 

It was already electric around Papa John's and continued to pick up voltage as the game drew nearer. I actually hit the seats at 11:15...unheard of for Paulie...I usually wait for the 30-minutes-to-game-time train whistle before I even consider leaving tailgating. Entering my gate was as crowded as I've seen it in a long time. 

Our intrepid reporter/fan Case in the Pit Saturday

I sat next to an FSU fan for most of the contest. We have an unsold seat in our row and he bought it through one of the ticket broker services. I didn't ask him what he paid...but I'm sure it was considerably more than the $57 the game ticket cost season-ticket holders.

He was an OK guy...have already forgotten his name...but drove down from Columbus, OH for it. Transplanted 'Noles fan who was excited about getting to see his boys only 4 1/2 hours from his house. Dressed out in Garnet and Gold...I suspected he might get some harassment from our "Crunch Zone Crazy section"...but they were pretty civil...with only a few good-natured taunts and wise-cracks. He took it pretty well...telling me "I expected worse. Some guy from WVU wanted to fight me a few years ago in the seats." 

Sometimes...no dancing.

You may say....what, Paulie? No press box for you? Nope. I do football as a fan. Never have sat in the press box for football since they built Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Sonja and I have fun at games. 

For a few hours, I'm not the Cardinal Couple guy. You need that now and then.  

I bought this beleaguered and disappointed FSU fan a "beverage" at halftime. He went for another near the end of the third quarter. He never returned to his seat. 

Incredible. Nearly hoarse from yelling. And, then, while unloading the car after the game at home...I did one of those Teddy Bridgewater step-back and pain things on my right knee as I was getting my cooler out. Headed in tomorrow to get it checked out, I have had it wrapped in ice and staying off it as much as possible until then...it's pretty big, though...baby cantaloupe size...and will probably require a "drain" and investigation. My best guess is a burst bursa sac...I've had that before.

Yes, I took one for the team. It what Cardinal fans do.

paulie
xxxxx