LACROSSE FALLS TO VIRGINIA 13-12
The Cards came out strong and led 2-0 in the early going. Virginia regrouped, though, and rolled off three straight scores to take the lead. UofL roared back with a 3-0 run their own and led 5-3 after 10 minutes of exciting, bang-bang action on the pitch.
Louisville led 7-5 with nine minutes remaining in the half but went scoreless the rest of the way and the Wahoos tied it up at 7-7 as the teams took the midway break. The Cards were controlling the draw control 10-5 and Brittany Read was defending the net with all her skills...with eight saves in the first 30 minutes.
UofL took the early lead in the second half when Meghan Siverson got her third score but Virginia came back with three straight goals to go up 10-8. With 20:22 to play, an unfortunate and controversial second yellow card was awarded to Siverson and the Cards leading scorer for the game and draw control specialist was disqualified from the contest. It gave the Cards something to rally around...and Louisville scored four straight goals to take a 12-10 lead with 9:40 to play. Kellie Young's squad was still up 12-11 with 1:16 to play...but UVA managed the tying goal and held the Cards scoreless over the next 76 seconds to force the extra session.
Virginia won the overtime draw control and 47 seconds later, Kasey Behr fired a steamer from the left side of the net past Read to give the Wahoos the victory.Kellie Young:
"We left our hearts on the field but needed a little more grit to secure the win."
The Cards now await their fate in the NCAA women's lacrosse selection show Sunday at 9 p.m. Louisville looks to be on the bubble for making the tournament. 26 teams, including 13 conference champions, will take place in a single elimination process...the six top-seeded getting a first round bye.
RETTA KAKALA NAMED TO CA ALL STATE TEAM
On coming to Louisville...Retta K had this to say:
" I want the Louisville fans to know I am excited about coming there and will work hard to make everyone proud of me and be a part of a great group of teammates."
She'll get that chance right away, it would appear. She'll be the only center listed on the roster and the second tallest player on the 2017-18 team...only Kylee Shook at 6'5" is taller. With Shook being projected as a possible high post player or wing, the Cards will need someone besides Myisha Hines-Allen to bang the boards. Sam Fuehring and Bionca Dunham round out the projected front line for the squad.
EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS
UofL plans to construct an $8 million TV projection studio as part of the ACC Network. The new facility will be home to video control rooms, studios and editing rooms. The facility will have the capabilities to host live shows at all venues for games and have access for live player and coaches interviews. New balconies and bleachers are scheduled for Cardinal Arena...where Volleyball will play their 2017 home games. The women's basketball team will move to the "Little Yum" and expansion and remodeling is scheduled for that facility. New turf is coming for the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium and the Trager indoor facility.
A video wall and ribbon board has been approved for Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and a private donation has funded a $9.5 million dollar expansion and renovation at baseball's Jim Patterson Stadium.
Good things on the way. Tom keeps building.
SOFTBALL STARTS THREE GAME SET WITH VA.
The Cavs (21-19, 8-13) come in fresh off a win at George Washington and a three game sweep over Notre Dame at South Bend. They are on a seven-game win streak...tops in the ACC right now.
Louisville is a perfect 6-0 against UVA since joining the ACC.
Jordan McNary has reached base for Louisville via a walk or hit in 26 or her last 28 games. She is a perfect 12-12 in stolen bases this season.
Nicole Pufahl leads Louisville in hitting with a .372 average and has reached base safely in her last 17 games. Last year, in Charlottesville, the Cards swept the Wahoos 2-0, 7-2 and 2-1.
PAPA JOHN LEAVES BOARD
One thing that wasn't revealed was why Papa decided to withdraw from the board. The resignation comes a couple of weeks after he accused the athletic department of being "invisible" and needed to solve their crisis for the good of the University.
Papa did not elaborate on what items the athletic department needed to work on or what they needed to do to become more visible. Making a sweeping statement like that and then not explaining it leads to a lot of speculation and media questioning. We won't get into the speculation here...only Papa can explain what he said and that may never happen...but the athletic department has been far from being "invisible" and Jurich showed once again yesterday that he is committed and continuing growth for the programs and facilities at Louisville. Jurich commented:
"I wouldn't trade my staff for anyone in the world and I most certainly would not replace any of my head coaches for anyone in the world...they're the best in college athletics."
His viewpoint seems pretty viable and visible to me. Always has.
paulie
xxxxx
Just a correction. John resigned from his position on the athletic association board, not from the Board of Trustees. He remains a trustee for the time being.
ReplyDeletenoted and corrected, sir
DeleteWatched that lacrosse game last night on Fox Sports South. What a tough loss. Hoping that the Cards can make the NCAA. They need conference favorites to win tournaments.
ReplyDeleteOn Retta K. Hoping she can contribute right off the bat. It would not surprise me if Walz brings her along slowly and Sam, Kylee and Bionca see a lot of time down low with Myisha. J.J can jump out of the gym. She would be an option, too. I need to see that outside jumper improve for her. She's deadly at mid-range. The Deb Factor
Hoping that Retta can do that, Deb. I'll venture ewith Sam or Bionca get the nod at center, Myisha the "4", Kylee the "3" and Durr the "2". Not ready to call the "1" yet. I love Jurich's statement about the staff and coaches.
DeleteBlue Lou
Trust in Tom He got us to the ACC. He keeps improving facilities. Would you want anyone than Pitino, Walz, McDonnell, Lolla, Albiero, Sowry and Petrino in their respective head coaching gigs?
ReplyDeleteGo bake a pie, Papa. It's what you do best. Let the king of college athletics do his job.
Can you please clarify what you mean when you say that women's basketball will move to "Little YUM"?
ReplyDeleteI had this same question. This is the 1st I heard they wont play in the downtown arena. I assume its due to ticket sales. This hurts recruiting in my eyes and is a step backwards.
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