#16 Louisville women's soccer hosts #9 Clemson tonight -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

10-1 CARDS FACE 8-2-1 TIGERS IN LYNN THURSDAY

it's going to be a turf war tonight on Floyd Street between two top 20 women's soccer programs tonight at 5 p.m. Two offenses who have multiple weapons going against two opposing defense that are allowing less that one goal per contest (Clemson 0.53 - Louisville 0.59) this season. 

The Cards have a slight edge in ACC competition over Clemson with a 3-1 ACC mark -- falling only to #3 UNC in Chapel Hill. Clemson sits at 2-2 in the ACC, suffering a 1-0 loss to UNC, in their last match,  and 2-1 to Florida St. UofL fell to UNC in Lynn by a score of 3-0.

NUMBERS AND SUCH

The visitors are led on the offense by Mariana Speckmaier (five goals) and Maliha Morris (four goals).  Clemson alternates between two goalies (Sandy MacIver and Hannah McLaughlin). They have combined for six shutouts on the season. 

Emina Ekic leads the way for the Cards offensively. She has seven goals on the season and has also provided six assists. Delaney Snyder has found the net four times. Goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos has tended net for six shutouts this year. 

The squads have met twice overall, with Clemson getting a 1-0 win over the Cards in Louisville back in 2016 and the Cards returning the favor with a 2-1 win at Clemson in 2017. 

There seems to be a bit of a conflict on where to watch the contest if you can't make it out to Lynn. Some say Fox Sports, while other sources indicate ESPN+ will have the coverage.

I did a little research and the contest will be available on Insight on Fox Sports Ohio (Channel 55 locally). I guess ESPN+ will carry it, too, for those who have "cut the cord". The surest way to make sure you don't miss the action is to go out and watch the match live at Lynn Stadium. 

The game was originally schedule for 7 p.m. but the contest was moved up to 5 p.m. Ostensibly so that Fox Sports could present an ACC WSOC doubleheader and show Florida St. at Virginia Tech around 7:30 p.m. I have to wonder why it wasn't the 'Noles vs Hokies that drew the early start instead of the Cards...maybe national rankings of all four teams or viewing numbers?

It could mean a late-arriving Cardinal crowd at Lynn tonight, with people coming in after work, picking up the kids and such. And, that sinking sun in the west could play havoc with the goalkeeper and defense who will be staring into it while they defend the east goal...if it's not a cloudy day. 


This is the biggest home test for the Cards at home so far this year.  It will be a battle of Ekic and company seeing if they can break the very strong Clemson defense and put the ball in the net. And, it will be a test, too, for the Clemson squad to see if they can overcome Louisville's strong defenders. A low-scoring, possibly even a tie match wouldn't surprise me one bit. Scoring first will be a huge advantage. Penalty kicks very crucial to tonight's outcome, I'll wager. 


We'll know about all of this around 7 p.m. or so tonight. This is one you don't want to miss...a lot on the line for both teams and the chance for Louisville to take down a top 10 opponent. 

Have a tremendous Thursday !! 


paulie
xxxxx