Denton to Compete for England -- NCAA Soccer Rule Changes -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Denton to Compete for England U19 Team

Louisville soccer defender Anouk Denton has been selected to play for the England U19 Team at the 2022 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship. The event will be hosted by the Czech Republic from June 27 to July 9.

"I'm really excited to represent my country at the EURO this year. This is our opportunity to show that we are the best team in Europe," said Denton. "I think the group of players that we have are world class and we definitely have the potential to win, so I can't wait to get to the Czech Republic and get going."

Denton was also selected to be on the England U17 Team in 2020 before it was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Her top highlight in her rookie campaign at Louisville came as a penalty kick game-winner against Syracuse on Sept. 23.

NCAA Soccer Rule Changes

Sticking with women's soccer for the moment, the NCAA announced some rule changes earlier in the week that will take effect this fall.

There will be no overtime during the regular season. If the two teams are tied following the full 90 minutes then the match will result in a draw. Previously, teams would go into a pair of 10-minute sudden death overtime periods. The golden goal concept could end a match within seconds of overtime beginning if the ball bounced the right way. Teams would then finish in a draw if the score remained tied after overtime. With the rule change, you can expect shorter regular season matches as well as more ties.

The postseason overtime rules will now follow the professional layout. Gone are the days of golden goal. In postseason, if overtime is needed, then the two teams will go into a pair of 10-minute overtime periods. So, if a team scores multiple goals during the overtime period then all goals will count. If the teams remain tied following both overtime periods, penalty kicks will be the deciding factor.

There was also talk of revising the substitution rules, especially in the second half to prevent re-entry after exiting, but those discussions have temporarily been put on hold.

These rule changes will better reflect the FIFA rules when it comes to regulation and extra time as well as international events like the one Denton will be playing in this summer. Now, if only NCAA soccer would change their clock to count up to 90 minutes, following suit with all levels around the world...

Guess the Athlete

These continue to draw some interest and participation. Between graduation picture season and running into UofL student-athletes at various sporting events, we will do a twofer today.

Athlete #1

I had a blast working with this student-athlete for her graduation photos. Do you recognize her?

Here's some hints: She plays on a spring sports team. Her head coach is Scott Teeter. She wears #9.

Figure it out? The answer is Kristen Pezzullo on the Louisville lacrosse team. Despite graduating this spring, she will return to Louisville next year as she has a couple more years of eligibility remaining.

Athlete #2

I run into this student-athlete quite often at baseball games. Obviously she is not on the baseball team. Do you know who it is?

Hints: She went to high school here in Louisville. You can catch her in uniform in the fall. Jeff followed her and her team to Columbus for the Final Four last year, where she was the starting libero.

Figure it out? The answer is Elena Scott on the Louisville volleyball team. Scott still has three years of eligibility remaining for the Cards.

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared