Planning Ahead and Looking at the Calendar -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

The Louisville sports schedule has been so busy lately it’s a shocker that there are no women’s games of any sort for a span of four days, dating back to Monday.  However, this weekend is full of action again.

Softball Hosts the Cardinal Classic

If you thought the five games in a span of four days last week was a lot, try five games in less than 48 hours.  The Softball Cards will have no time to rest this weekend as Bradley, UMass, and Eastern Michigan visit Ulmer Stadium.

Pufahl welcomes all applause

Megan Hensley and Danielle Watson will take the circle for the Cards.  The pair have been dominant lately, surrendering minimal hits and earned runs while finding ways to increase their number of strikeouts.  Hopefully we will see the likes of Kyra Snyder and Darianne Hale too.

On the offensive end things have been good for the most part.  Strikeouts have dwindled compared to past years and the hits are plentiful.  Almost every out involves the ball being put into play.  Celene Funke and Caitlin Ferguson are both batting .390 or better.  Nicole Pufahl is at .365.  Five Cardinals have sent one soaring over the fence this season and, if we have a fortunate wind, I expect to see plenty more.

My only concern at this point in the season is the high number of infield errors.  There have been as many as four errors in a game recently.  I understand seeing one or two here and there, but the current numbers are too high.

If you cannot make it out to Ulmer Stadium you have the chance to listen to Cardinal Forever Maryssa Becker grab a mic and entertain us on the ACC Network.

Lacrosse Takes a Road Trip

The Lax ladies hit the road for a pair of games on the east coast.  Louisville will visit Duke on Saturday before straying from conference play to face Mercer one week from today.

Scott Teeter has raised eyebrows by starting the season 5-2.  There was much uncertainty in the offseason regarding some issues.  Teeter was brought in to take care of business and he has done a phenomenal job.

Keep away is a good tactic

The Cards are averaging 12.7 goals per game while allowing just under 10 goals per game.  Tessa Chad and Caroline Blalock have made quite a pair this season, scoring 19 and 18 goals, respectively.  The good news is that Chad is a junior and Blalock is a freshman, so we should see both of them back.  14 different players have scored a goal on the season so there has been a balanced attack, just led by a couple of stars.

Coach Teeter has been most impressed by his defense lately.  In fact, despite the loss to Notre Dame he brought Molly Marshall and Hope Herling into the postgame press conference with him.  Teeter’s defense style is intended to force opponents into long offensive possessions that does not allow players into the circle, preventing a clear shot.  Opponents have only gotten off 160 shots on goals, compared to Louisville’s 214.  Even when a shot gets through goalkeeper Lexie Ball has been there to stop them, recording 57 saves.

Louisville’s weakness has been draw controls.  Against lesser opponents the Cards have been dominant.  However, in the games against Denver and Notre Dame, Louisville was outmatched and outmuscled.  With Kay Morrissette, one of UofL’s all-time greats, I don’t think it will be long before we see some adjustments.

Swim and Dive Rides the Wave to Nationals

Arthur Albiero should be on his way to Columbus as swim and dive heads to the NCAA Championships.  We will see a team-best 12 women’s swimmers hopping in the pool this year.

Looking for sharks in the water

 Mallory Comerford is a favorite to bring back the gold in the 200 freestyle.  Besides defending that title, she could add the 100 and 500 free to that.  Grace Oglesby and Mariia Astashkina also have good shots at earning a medal.

Let’s hope things go swimmingly and we see more national champions and some new banners posted in the Natatorium.

Monday’s Selection Ceremony

ACC regular season and tournament champions should be enough to earn women’s basketball a 1-seed.  The latest polls have the Cards ranked third, behind UConn and Baylor.

Asia Durr has proven herself as more than just “that girl” and is deserving of ACC Player of the Year, an award Myisha Hines-Allen has seen too.

Jeff Walz has been fortunate to have a deep, healthy roster all season.  They must survive six more games.  Compared to the two Final Four teams I think this team has an equal or better chance at winning the title.

Winning the Final Four to get to the championship would earn Coach Walz his 300^th career victory at Louisville.

"Asia Durr who?"

UofL should host the first two rounds at the KFC Yum! Center, so be prepared to get your tickets so you can go cheer them on!  I believe I saw something about the tickets costing around $30 for the full weekend.

Lexington is one of the regional sites, so it would be no surprise to see the Cards end up at Rupp Arena (games will be played there for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight) at some point.  Then Columbus would be the final stop where the Final Four and National Championship will be held.  These are all a bit closer of trips for us Louisvillians compared to games in Oklahoma and New York in recent years.

Paulie kept us updated each day during the ACC WBB Tournament and our good friend Dave-O provided us with excellent insight into his trip to Greensboro with Joe Hill.  It sounds like they had quite the adventure!  If you have not gotten a chance to check the article out yet just head over to yesterday’s write-up to view it.

Tune into ESPN Monday night at 7:00 p.m., to see where Louisville is headed and their game dates and times.

More Additions to Your Calendar

Today is National Cereal Day

If your calendar is not full enough yet here are some other sports to check out too!  Women’s tennis is off to a hot start this season and sits at 12-2.  Track and field prepares for the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend.  Players like Emmonnie Henderson and Dorcas Wasike have good chances of bringing home a championship.  Women’s golf picks back up after a monthlong hiatus when the Auburn in a week and a half.

It is definitely a busy time of the year but here at Cardinal Couple we give you our best effort in keeping you up-to-date with all women’s sports.

As always, Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!

Jared