Women's Soccer Hosts James Madison -- Softball Addition -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Women's Soccer Hosts James Madison

Whether you're a fan of soccer, or UofL sports, or dogs, there's plenty of reason to head out to Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium tonight as Louisville women's soccer welcomes James Madison. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.

Louisville is doing a first for soccer by hosting their Paws on the Pitch promotion. Bring your doggies with you and hang out on the north berm, or come on out just to see plenty of pups. Despite the wording of the promotion, dogs will not be allowed on the playing field.

The Cards downed Western Michigan with ease last week, winning 6-2. It improved Louisville's season-opening record to 19-1-2 all time. Freshmen Julia Simon and Nina Nicosia each scored two goals while Brooke Dardano and Emma Hiscock each found the back of the net once.

Can you name these four soccer alums?

Defensively, Louisville was a bit of a surprise by allowing two goals. With plenty of veterans on the back line and in goal, we were hopeful for a shutout. On a normal night, giving up two goals may cost you the match. However, it was the season opener and there were nerves so I expect the defense to look more in sync tonight.

James Madison comes in with a 1-1 record. The Dukes fell in their season opener to VCU 1-0 before blowing out American 4-0. They were picked to finish fifth in the Colonial Athletic Conference.

All four goals on the year have come from different players. Lexi Vanderlinden is credited with two of the four assists. Overall, James Madison has taken 18 shots on goal, proving that their offense is aggressive and not afraid to attack the goal.

In goal, Alexanda Blom has gotten both starts and logged 171:27 minutes. She gave up the lone goal while also recording an impressive nine saves. This is the redshirt sophomore's first season as top keeper for the Dukes after playing a reserve role the past two years.

The Cards and Dukes have only played once before with James Madison taking a 1-0 victory back in 1990. Three of your regular writers on here weren't even born yet... sorry Paulie and Jeff.

Softball Adds Kendall Smith

Coach Holly Aprile seems to have found a trend that is quite popular in college basketball- chasing grad student transfers. For the second straight year, Louisville softball adds a fifth-year senior.

Kendall Smith joins the Cardinal squad from Western Kentucky. Smith, a native of Bowling Green, stayed local to play for the Hilltoppers. Smith helped WKU to a 2021 Conference USA title.

Smith will join the talented group of catchers in Cassady Greenwood and Rebecca Chung. Her bat has proven to be her strength. In her four year career, Smith accumulated 27 home runs, 113 RBIs, and 107 runs scored.

Louisville, who ran into some offensive issues at times last year by stranding base-runners, will rely on Smith's bat to help knock those runs in.

UofL does have plans of a fall schedule, which is normal, but it has not yet been released. These scrimmages are typically against teams in the area to allow the coaches to access the strengths and weaknesses of their team before the season.

Remember that picture of some UofL soccer alums earlier in the article? Here are the four former Cards from left to right: Allison Whitfield, Brooklyn Rivers, Kennadi Carbin, Emina Ekic. How'd you do?

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!
Jared