Field Hockey Bounces Back -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Happy Labor Day!

Whether you plans are for a picnic, just taking it easy or even having to go punch the clock...all of us here at CARDINAL COUPLE wish you a great Labor Day! 

Woods Impresses, McFerran Returns in Win

After a frustrating defeat at the hands of Ohio State on Friday, Louisville's field hockey team was determined to right their ship quickly. There is no time to take days off in field hockey. The schedules are fairly short and, in the ACC, every conference game is tough. Louisville returned to form against Kent State yesterday and handled business with a 5-1 win. Quite honestly, Kent State was completely outmatched. Yesterday's loss drops the Golden Flashes to 1-3 with a combined score of 4-14. They have yet to play Ohio State in Columbus, a matchup set for Tuesday. Their only win came against St. Francis (PA). In short, this is a game Louisville should have dominated, and they did.

The Cardinals won the shots battle 25-6, the shots on goal battle 16-2, the corners battle 11-4, and had fewer fouls at 17-24. Nicole Woods paced the Cards with a hat trick in the first 17:19 of the game. Her third goal was the fourth for the team, and Kent State was in a major hole early. Marigrace Ragsdale added her second goal of the season in the midst of the hat trick and Minout Mink scored the lone Louisville goal in the second half to push the lead to 5-0. 

Mink has scored only 3 goals in 4 games, putting her well behind the 8 ball on Jared's prediction of two per game. Although she has not started a game, she has played more minutes than some girls that have started all 4, so her usage is a bit confusing to me. She is doing her job, though, tied for the Louisville lead in points with 7 and goals with 3. Ayeisha McFerran returned to action yesterday, giving Hollyn Barr a break with approximately 12 minutes remaining.

It was McFerran that gave up the only Kent State goal, but the goal was late in a decided game and came off of a corner penalty. Yesterday was also McFerran's first live action of the season so a readjustment period is warranted, especially coming off of an injury. One spot for concern to come from yesterday's game is the corner defense. Louisville has given up only 5 goals this season. However, all 5 have come off of a penalty corner. I understand that those plays are the easiest to score on in field hockey, but that is a opponent's completion percentage of nearly 25% (5/21). Louisville is converting corners at a much greater rate of 39% (9/23), yes, but good teams are going to take advantage of those opportunities and Louisville is going to face a lot of good teams.

Here is hoping that Louisville can shore up the corner defense, especially in situations with the game on the line like at Ohio State, and continue to convert in great numbers on their own corners. Louisville remains on the road for a matchup with American on Friday at 4PM at Maryland's pitch in College Park and they'll take on the Terps Sunday. 

Women's Soccer Looks to Continue Great Start

After taking down the rival Wildcats, Karen Ferguson-Dayes' team is back on the road tonight against Southeast Missouri State. The Redhawks (I looked it up) are currently 3-2 with wins over Evansville, Springfield, and Phoenix and losses to Missouri State. SEMO was picked to finish 5th in the Ohio Valley Conference in the preseason. Interestingly, all of SEMO's games this season have finished with one team being shutout. I expect Louisville's stout defense and imposing offense should be able to continue that trend for the Redhawks, and I would hope to see a win by 3 goals or more.

Anything can happen in soccer, especially on the road, but Louisville has impressed so far this season and this is a game they should win without issue. The days before the conference season arrives are growing shorter and it is time for Louisville to bring the same intensity to every game. Excluding the second half slip-up against Boston University and the awkward 2-0 loss against Marquette, Louisville has looked strong throughout this season. Performing well against a lesser opponent is a mark of a quality team and Louisville will need to do such tonight.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-