Making just their second road trip this season, Louisville lacrosse found major success with a 16-9 win at Cincinnati. An 8-5 second quarter and holding the Bearcats to two second half goals proved to be the difference maker.
Louisville found themselves down 2-0 early inside Nippert Stadium, but powered through with a 4-0 run over the remainder of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter. A 2-0 spurt by Cincinnati evened the score before Louisville pulled off a 7-3 run to close out the half for a small lead.
Following the intermission, the Cards had a 4-1 third quarter to have a comfortable seven-goal lead. The match was never in doubt following that with a quiet 1-1 fourth quarter.
Allegra Catalano was the top scorer for Louisville with four goals. She also added an assist to go with her four scores. Caroline Blalock posted a hat trick while adding five assists, tying the fourth-best mark in assists in a single game by a Louisville player.
Kylea Dobson earned a name for herself with a hat trick and the always reliable Nicole Perroni had a three-piece of her own. Tiffany Natoli contributed two goals and the lone remaining goal came from Abby Scully.
J Pleck got the start and allowed four goals to go with four saves over 19:10. Sara Addeche came in relief for the final 40:50 to allow five goals with four saves and earn the win.
Cincinnati seems to be uncertain on where they play their games. When Paulie and I attended the LAX game up there last time, it was at Gettler Stadium (the UC soccer facility). They've also used Sheakley Athletic Center (their on campus "bubble" for LAX and Football practice) and Nippert Stadium...where they play home football games. Judging by the attendance, Nippert was way too large a venue for the event, but the Cards won and probably would have taken UC on in an abandoned lot by the train station to extend their dominance.
Louisville improves to 5-3 on the year. They visit #2 North Carolina on Sunday.
Softball Hosts Bluegrass Challenge
Less than ideal weather has caused Louisville softball to alter their schedule for the Bluegrass Challenge well before the first pitch is ever thrown, but the Cards are slated for five games this weekend.
Louisville opens up play at 5:00 p.m., today against Central Michigan. They will then turn around and face Valparaiso immediately after.
The Cards have a 3:00 p.m. game against Central Michigan and a 5:30 p.m. game against Ohio on Friday.
There will be no games on Saturday due to the forecast. Louisville will square off against Indiana at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Eastern Kentucky will also be in town, but the Cards and Colonels will not face each other.
The Cards are 1-0 against Central Michigan (2014) and 2-0 against Valparaiso (2012, 2021). The Cards have seen Ohio a few more times and hold a 7-2 record against them, most recently with a win in 2017. Louisville and Indiana have faced each other almost a couple dozen times with UofL holding a 19-3 advantage. Louisville defeated Indiana 9-5 in their fourth game this season.
Else Praasterink to Compete at NCAAs
Else Praasterink has punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships after finishing second in the platform diving qualifying meet in Ann Arbor.
Praasterink scored a 303.05 in prelims and a 592.05 overall score to place second.
The sophomore from the Netherlands is the only Louisville diver on the women's side to qualify but will be one of 15 Cardinals to compete in the NCAAs.
Emily Engstler Named as Cheryl Miller Award Finalist
Emily Engstler has been named one of the five finalists for the 2022 Cheryl Miller Award. The award is presented to the top small forward in NCAA Division I women's basketvball
The other four candidates are Ashley Joens (Iowa State), Rhyne Howard (UK), Haley Jones (Stanford) and Madi Williams (Oklahoma). Ashley Joens won the award in 2021
Date and time to announce the winner will be determined at a later date and will be done in conjunction with the other four winners of the Women's Starting Five. Those are the point guard, shooting guard, power forward and center awards.
Want more info? We suggest you check out www.hoophallawards.com
NCAA Selection Show / Cardinal Couple Pick Em
The NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Show is this coming Sunday night and the Cards should be considered a lock in the tournament and to host the opening two rounds at the KFC Yum! Center. If either of those things don't happen then there's a serious problem.
The Cardinal Couple ACC Pick Em was a big success despite a surprising couple of upsets. With 26 entries, it was our biggest entry pool to date.
With that being said, the Cardinal Couple NCAA Pick Em is good to go again this year! From the moment the teams are announced and up until right before the first games tip off, you will be able to enter. Start studying up!
We know, there are a whole lot more teams to choose from in the NCAA WBB Pick 'Em. But, it is free and Paulie is conducting high level, top secret negotiations to secure gift cards for the winner and runner up. He also appreciates your e-mails on gift card suggestions. He did discover that Ford does not have a gift card for a new truck, and he couldn't find one for a brand new house.
Happy Thursday and Go Cards!
Jared
Nice honor for Emily ! She's in the running though with some good ones. I'm glad lacrosse kept their beat UC streak alive. Another tough test for them coming up at UNC, another top five team.
ReplyDeleteCold weekend for softball. One would think they'd still be down enjoying Florida conditions.
Nick O
A nice honor for Emily but with the past winner eligible again and Howard in the mix, I don't think Emily stands a chance.
ReplyDeleteSince I have this ESPN+ subscription and never seem to use it, I did watch a little lacrosse yesterday before work. I like the fight and attack philosophy of this team. It's also good that they have a deep bench. They may not make a lot of noise in the ACC again, but I think they're better than last year. It's tough when 2/3rds of the conference is in the top 10.
Curtis "Be Kind" Franklin
Looks like two easy ones on tap for softball.
ReplyDeleteBlue Lou