Women's Soccer Defeats Dayton -- WNBA Playoffs -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Women's Soccer Earns Road Win at Dayton

Continuing their early season success, the Louisville women's soccer team left Dayton with a victory, 1-0.  Louisville moves to 3-0 on the season as they head up to Michigan to continue their road trip.

The Cards out-shot the Flyers 14-4 on the night, dominating the second half 10-2.  Six of the shots were on goal while Dayton was held to one shot on goal.

Corners were sparse with each team finishing with two on the night.  Fouls were fairly average, with the Cards fouling seven times compared to Dayton's six.

Louisville's lone goal came at the 21:29 mark of the first half.  Delaney Snyder dribbled to the end line (base line) and served one up into the box.  Allison Whitfield seemed to be the target, but the Dayton defenders attempted to clear it.  However, the ball found its way to the back of the net in an own goal.  Originally, on Twitter, UofL women's soccer marked it as a goal by Whitfield, but was later changed to an "own"goal allowed by Dayton.


EDITOR'S NOTE:  The reversal was highly questionable, in my humble opinion. 

Highlights of the contest, courtesy of Dayton Athletics, at the link below. As expected, the highlights are all Dayton-oriented, but worth a watch. Naturally, they don't show the score by the Cards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_kVc14yh74


-- All Quiet on the Defensive Front

Very little action has been seen around the net through three matches.  Gabby Kouzelos has two saves on four attempts and Lana Batson has one save on her only attempt.  TheWSOC Cards are averaging less than one goal allowed per game currently.

The defense has been strong and has not shown many weaknesses, other than the high line.  Faster opponents might be able to beat the line back on a fast break.  So far, Gabriele "Gabi" Vincent and Sarah Hernandez have held their own against opposing attackers.

-- Getting a Kick Out of the Offense

In three games, Louisville is averaging over three goals per outing.  Granted, eight of those came on opening night, but the offense hasn't slowed down their attack.  They have taken 54 shots compared to 10 by the three opponents combined.  Of those, 29 have been on goal, a .537 mark.

Six different players have scored this season with five of them being freshmen and sophomores.  This offense is young and fired up.  Expect to see the shots coming in hot each game and that goal counter will continue climbing.

Dream vs Mystics in WNBA Semifinals

Unfortunately, we won't see Myisha vs Angel squaring off on the court in the playoffs due to Angel's injury.  However, Angel McCoughtry's Atlanta Dream and Myisha Hines-Allen's Washington Mystics are gearing up for a best-of-five series with the winner advancing to the WNBA Finals.

The first two games will be held in Atlanta.  The third and if-needed fourth game will be hosted by the Mystics in D.C.  If there were to be a fifth game the two teams would travel back to Atlanta for it.

Atlanta had a bye and should be well rested.  Washington played last night and breezed by the LA Sparks 96-64.  Myisha played just under three minutes, but scored five points by going 2-for-2 from the field, including a three-point basket.  She isn't getting big minutes yet, but is getting good experience as a rookie and has a bright future ahead.


Volleyball

The Louisville Volleyball squad begins action today in the Cardinal Classic. Three matches on tap, including two today. Dani Busboom Kelly's servers start with Tennessee-Martin today at 12:30 p.m. and also take on Southern Illinois at 7:30 p.m. 

Melanie McHenry, Molly Sauer, Amanda Green, Jasmine Bennett, Wilma Rivera and 14 other talented Cardinal Volleyball players take the court at Cardinal Arena to test their skills against Skyhawks and Salukis. 

And, just what is a Saluki? Here's your options: 

a) a nomadic sheepherder
b) native American tribal chief
c) Persian greyhound
d) the title of Bon Jovi's fourth album

Answer at the end of today's column 



What Day Is It?

It's opening day for field hockey and volleyball!  Both teams have their season openers today with
Sowry's squad busing up to Indiana.  Dani Busboom Kelly's crew will remain at home and host Tennessee-Martin and Southern Illinois in the Cardinal Classic at 12:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.

There's a lot of weird holidays today including complaining about the weather, shooting stars, knives, can openers, waffles, peach pie, and strange music days.  For you astrology lovers it is also Pluto Demoted Day.  On this day in 2006 Pluto was demoted from a full-sized planet to a dwarf planet.  Since then, there has been much controversy on what Pluto should be, but it is officially a dwarf planet.  Pluto is also a dog owned by Mickey Mouse.

Today is also International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination, and Violence Based on Musical Preferences, Lifestyle, and Dress Code.  The city of Louisville has a wide variety of people with different tastes.  That's what makes up this city and why it is so special to so many of us.  Let people live their life how they want to live it, within the confines of the law of course, and don't let their lifestyle bother you.

And, it's National Waffle Day. Do you own a waffle maker? Do you like waffles? HAve you been to Waffle House? Don't 'waffle' around. Let us know in the comment section.

Enjoy the hectic weekend for four different UofL sports and tune into them in person or on the ACC Network.  Try to play "I Spy" with which Cardinal Couple members will be where.

ANSWER TO SALUKI QUESTION: It is "C"...a Persian Greyhound. Chalk yourself up for a "W" if you got it right. 

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

- Jared -