CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE
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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Cardinals Receive National Honors -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Emina Ekic Named Freshman All-American


The dynamo midfielder for Louisville women's soccer, Emina Ekic, has added to her list of postseason awards by being named to the first team of TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI. It can be a bit muddy in the "non-revenue" sports to determine which publications should be heeded for rankings. Of course, it can also get muddy in the revenue sports because there are dozens of publications pushing out rankings and All-American teams. At any rate, TopDrawer is a the place to go for college soccer rankings, as they provide the best coverage and their rankings do a good job of indicating the best teams. I often use their rankings to determine a team's quality for both men's and women's, especially early in the season when the NCAA's RPI rankings haven't evened themselves out.

Ekic was a star for Louisville in her first season at her hometown university. She ranked first on the team in points, goals, assists, shots on goal, shots, and game winning goals. Her shots on goal percentage of 41.2% wasn't great, but she had 7 more SOG than Brooklynn Rivers (46.7%) and 10 more than Allison Whitfield (73.3%). Rivers and Whitfield were the only two players ahead of Ekic in SOG% with double digit shots on goal.

Ekic played 1390 minutes in 18 games this season, with 17 starts. She trailed only the starting defenders, goalkeeper, and Alison Price in minutes. While doing so, as the center midfielder, she picked up only 1 yellow card, proving that she played clean defense and kept her emotions under control. On top of her team leads, Ekic was just outside the national leaders among all players in most categories.

Emina is a Louisville native, and anyone around the program that wouldn't say they're extremely glad she stayed home would be lying. Louisville is lucky to have her around the program for three more seasons, and with the other young talent on the team, the window of opportunity could be opening wider for the Louisville Women's soccer team.

Another top-notch star out of Louisville Manual High School, directly south from the Louisville campus. 

Wilma Rivera Earns All-American Honorable Mention 


Another UofL rookie was granted a national honor when Wilma Rivera was named to the Honorable Mention section of the American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA) All-American teams. Rivera was a transfer into the program this season, her Junior year. That means she'll be putting up sets for Louisville's hitters for another year. In addition to the All-American Honorable Mention, Rivera was also the ACC Setter of the Year and named to the All-East Region First Team. 

Rivera was the obvious team leader in assists, accounting for 84% of the team's assists on the season. She also ranked fifth in both kills and blocks behind the major front liners. She was first on the team in aces and second in digs. Rivera was huge for the Cards this season and Dani Busboom Kelly will be sure to utilize her talents going forward with another offseason of work to prepare.

Until next time, Go Cards!
-CH-

11 comments:

  1. Good news on both accounts for Louisville women's athletics. I have been impressed with Sacred Heart guard Grace Berger this season. Does anyone know why UofL did not pursue her? Or did they and she wasn't interested. I see she has committed to IU.

    Emina Ekic is phenomenal. I have a friend whose daughter played soccer with her on a club team. Go E.E.!!

    The Deb Factor

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    1. She considered the Cards, the Cats, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and a few others. The word is that she saw what UofL has coming in for 2018-19 and who remains and didn't see playing time, as a 5'11" guard. IU has had success in the Louisville area recently, getting Butler HS guard Jaylen Penn last year.

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  2. Nice Piece. CC is really showing their expertise in the non-WBB sports. It's clear you folks have what I consider to be experts on staff in these sports which will help "bring along" those of us that are primarily ULWBB fans. The way you are covering them helps those unfamiliar with them to get a foothold. Great Job!

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    1. Thanks, Burn. I rely mostly on my knowledge of basketball in general to get me through coverage of WBB. I don't have nearly the connections or inside information of Paulie, but that's what he's here for. I do have a passion for sports in general and sports statistics and I try to bring that to my coverage of the games.

      I'm glad that I'm able to help bring relatable content about sports other than WBB to the major WBB followers. I'll do my best to continue doing so!

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  3. Check out the great Graham Hays piece on ULWBB / Dana Evans @ ESPNW. Hays understands our program. He gracefully addressed Moore leaving and clearly showed his grasp of Walz & WCBB. Great Recruiting Piece too.

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    1. Hays was in town Sunday and I wondered when his piece would come out. Gonna have to stay out of bed a little longer to read it.

      Paulie

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  4. OK, out of bed enough to scribe these words.

    I'm quite proud of the amazing columnist staff we have here at CC. Jeff, Case and Jared have been bringing excellence for some time now. Julie is our newest and infalling in-step with the same excellence.

    I'm quite proud, again, a bit humbled to have them. For this independent non-profit.

    It's my honor to be able to share these pages with them.

    Paulie

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    1. Just don't get your hopes to high for tomorrow's missive.

      I'm going to a 10:50pm showing of Star Wars...may not be fully coherent while writing.

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    2. Porgs, porgs, porgs porgs.

      PORGS!

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  5. This just in. WBB Cards put Porgs on schedule for a home and away beginning in 2019.

    You're going to fall in love with these little guys. Robin and I went last night to see The Last Jedi with our youngest daughter and her (egads) boyfriend. You'll like it!

    David Watson

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