LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS TODAY VS. CAL...FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TO UCONN...VOLLEYBALL FACES FSU -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS TIPOFF 2015-16 AGAINST BEARS

The highly awaited start of the Louisville women's basketball 2015-16 season takes place today at 2 p.m. in the KFC YUM! Center with Louisville facing the California Bears. 

The Cards will see today how talent adjusts to game time situations. With two starters back from last year in Mariya Moore and Myisha Hines-Allen, veterans Cortnee Walton and Arica Carter, former AAC Freshman of the Year Briahanna Jackson and ex-Evansville starting point guard Dakota Weatherford...the Cards do have several players who are used to the college game and the tempo and pace. How red-shirt freshman Sydney Brackemyre and true freshmen Asia Durr, Taja Cole, Erin DeGrate, Brianna Jones and Sam Fuehring adjust to (hopefully) 18,000 screaming fans later this afternoon is a key aspect in how well Louisville does today.

As Jeff Walz said earlier this week in a press conference...

"I'll tell you at 4 'o'clock Sunday."

Starters? Who will finish close games? It's all anybody's guess but Walz, the staff and players right now. I'll stick with my earlier venture this week in guessing that we'll see Sean Moth introduce Moore, Hines-Allen, Walton, Carter and Jackson...but I would not be surprised at all to see any different variation on this. 

As for the opponent...Lindsey Gottlieb's Cal Bears...they come into Louisville after a very average nine point win against an Austin Peay squad that was predicted to finish eighth out of twelve in the OVC Conference. Austin Peay was within five with 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Bears have talent in Gabby Green, Mikayla Cowling and Courtney Range. They have speed, height (including a 6'7" freshman Chinese center who comes off the bench) and press well. Predicted to finish third in the PAC 12...the Bears feature only nine players on the roster for this trip...but they appear to be a solid bunch and Gottlieb rotates the lineup frequently to keep all fresh.  

Hopefully, there will be a big crowd in the 2nd. and Main facility today to see this 2015-16 version of Louisville women's basketball. A version that has a ton of promise and upside but will experience some growing pains. 

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FIELD HOCKEY FALLS 3-0 TO UCONN


The season is over for Justine Sowry's Louisville Field Hockey squad....falling to #3 UConn 3-0 on the Huskies home turf in Storrs, CT. yesterday.

Louisville made a game of it early...keeping the Huskies off the board for the first 21 minutes...before a UConn drive resulted in their first score. The Cards would hold Connecticut scoreless the rest of the first half...the Huskies getting off six shots to Louisville's two. 

After the break, the squads would play 12 minutes before UConn stuck again...this time on a one-on-one penalty stroke. Connecticut ended the scoring, despite an increased and heightened Louisville offensive attack, with shot from just inside the circle with three minutes remaining. 

Sowry was factual about the loss:


" We're disappointed. We were prepared, we came in strong, looking for a really good performance. In the first half, we competed, we played well. In the second half, we really went away from our game plan and our identity. It's just a lack of discipline." 

The Cards finish the season 13-7.

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VOLLEYBALL VISITS THE 'NOLES TODAY

Louisville Volleyball looks to stay on top of the ACC Conference this afternoon when they visit Florida State for a 2 p.m. match in Tallahassee.

The Cards, 14-1 in conference, face a Seminole squad that is 13-2 in ACC play. A FSU win would create a three-way tie atop the conference with Louisville, FSU and UNC all at 14-2

The Cards will look to slow down kill artist Nicole Walch (345). Hailey Luck leads Florida State in setting. 

A tough test in tiny Tully Gym for Anne Kordes's squad today as the Cards look to ride the recent hot hands of Erin Fairs and Tess Clark. Providing the passing and the sets has been a process in perfection lately for Katie George and Molly Sauer and the Assumption duo will be counted on again today to slow down the FSU attack. 

I couldn't find any  TV for this one anywhere...but we'll have a full report on the action in the Monday Cardinal Couple column. 

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TURN UP THE RADIO!

Our weekly broadcast of THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR is now available on the heavenly Soundcloud at Crescent Hill Radio. 

 

Yesterday's show featured WorldWide in the studio and Paulie on remote and we had a great time reviewing the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports while listening to interviews with Justine Sowry, Anne Kordes, Sam Purcell and Jeff Walz. We also got a few tailgaters mixed in as well...all apparently in love with Worldwide. 

LINKIE:
THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

paulie
xxxxx

Monday Cardinal Couple - Volleyball recap, Field Hockey Selection

Volleyball Sunday Recap

After an over-the-top-exciting match against Pitt on Friday, the VolleyCards got a bit of a breather yesterday against a middle-of-the-pack Virginia Tech team. The Cards got the sweep 25-21, 25-19, 25-19.

The first set was a good contest, and while there were only two lead changes, there were seven ties, and VT had the game tied at 18. The Cards got a bit of separation to end the set with the help of a couple of Hokie errors.

The second and third sets were all Cards, with UofL leading the whole way in both sets. A bit of a scary moment in the second set at 11-3 when VT outside hitter Lindsey Owens went down with an ankle injury. A major component to VT's play, the loss of Owens didn't help matters. While she did return to start the third set, it was only momentarily as she was clearly still in pain and wasn't able to play the rest of the match. The Cards were able to get significant separation in both sets and took the opportunity to play some players that don't usually get much playing time.

In the second set, freshman Jasmine Bennett came in for Maggie DeJong and immediately scored a kill, Kali Eaken then subbed in for Katie George. With a younger line-up on the court for UofL, VT was able to make a bit of a comeback, but not enough to put the game in jeopardy. Ashley Pettibone also made an appearance and got her first kill as a Card to finish out the second set.

The third set was similar. At 20-13, the crowd got to see Morgan Miller's play at setter and a bit more from Jasmine Bennett, who entered at 21-14. Again, with the lower experience levels on the court for UofL, VT was able to make a bit of a comeback, but again, the Cards were able to finish the set and match.

Tess Clark, who has been relatively quiet in recent matches, came on strong with .667 hitting with 8 kills on 12 attempts. The bulk of the offense came from Erin Fairs with 13 (.310), Maya McClendon on an error-free 12 for a whopping .500, and Janelle Jenkins with 11 (.320). Jasmine Bennett also ends up with a pretty nice stat line, on limited play, with an error-free 3 kills out of 6 attempts, which is an impressive .500. Erin Fairs picked up two service aces and two big solo blocks. Dependable as ever, Molly Sauer adds 16 digs to her total. Overall, the Cards hit a pretty dern good .378, although VT ended up .279, which certainly isn't terrible, particularly when they were on the losing side of the final tally.

The Cards head out on the road again, for what is certainly the toughest conference weekend of the season, with a visit Friday at 7pm to Miami, and on Sunday at 2pm at Florida State in Tallahassee. As we get deep into the season, a quick look at the ACC standings underscores the importance of this upcoming weekend. While the Cards are sitting as masters of their own destiny in 1st place, FSU is hot on their heels only a game out in 2nd. Miami has demonstrated why they are considered one of the better teams in the conference by sitting, tied for 4th with Pitt, only 3 games out.

Field Hockey Selection

Field Hockey will start off their NCAA tournament run with a challenge facing defending champions, and undefeated, UConn in Storrs. The game will take place on November 14th at 11:30am.

If the Cards can get it done against the Huskies, they will likely face Boston College, who UofL already holds a victory over, for a chance to get into the semifinals. The Eagles' first round opponent is Albany.

To further underscore the impressive achievements of ACC Field Hockey, all seven ACC Field Hockey playing teams got into the NCAA tournament. Also, while we've been saying that it's a 19-team tournament, it turns out that this year it's only an 18-team field. Of the four seeded teams, three are ACC teams, with Syracuse, UNC, and Virginia taking the first three seeds, and UConn getting the fourth.

Syracuse will face the winner of the Kent State/UMass play-in game, UNC gets the winner of Fairfield/Boston U., Virginia will play Delaware. The other ACC-involved matchups are a rematch of an early season game in Duke vs Stanford, and Wake Forest vs Michigan. The only game (excluding play-ins) not involving the ACC is Maryland vs Princeton.

Here's the team reaction: FH NCAA ANNOUNCEMENT


RADIO

Did you miss the latest broadcast of THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR? No need to beat yourself up over it or fall into a lethargic state. We have the SoundCloud rebroadcast of most of it below. We're also currently looking for someone to remind the show engineer to make sure it's being recorded at the start. 

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO 1/2 HOUR 11/7/15


JMcA

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Softball win, Lacrosse loses to UConn

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Softball stymies Huskies 4-1

-Lacrosse falls in overtime to Huskies 12-11

Both the Louisville Lacrosse and Louisville Softball teams were engaged with Huskies on the field Sunday...Kellie Young's girls in Storrs...armed with crosses and Sandy Pearsall's squad at Ulmer Stadium swinging the bats.

LOUISVILLE 4 - UCONN 1

The Cards jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, Katie Keller drawing a walk, moving to second on a Jordy Trimble sacrifice bunt and scoring on Alicja Wolny's single.

Louisville added two runs in the second. Hannah Kiyohara got a base on balls, advanced to second on a Jasmine Smithson-Willett bunt and scored on Katelyn Mann's single. Mann reached home plate when Keller doubled. 3-0 The 'Ville!

UConn threatened in the fourth with a run. Starter Rachel LeCoq had given way to Caralisa Connell, who got out of a potential bases full dilemma by getting a strike out with two outs.

Louisville added a fifth-inning insurance run when Keller poked her second double of the game and greeted her teammates at home when Trimble singled.

CARDS WIN! 4-1

Connell got the win for the 37-6, 10-1 Cards. They face Pittsburgh next...a noon start Wednesday at Ulmer.

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CONNECTICUT 12 - LOUISVILLE 11


Lacrosse took their fifth BIG EAST loss of the season to the Huskies in overtime Sunday at Storrs. Louisville led 11-8 with 4:20 left in regulation...but allowed the Huskies to tie and force an overtime.

Kellie Young's squad took and early 1-0 lead when Nikki Boltja scored the first of her six goals at the 28:31 mark. UConn responded with two scores but Erika Eipp and Laura Patterson responded with goals to put Louisville ahead 3-2 with 20 minutes left in the first half.

After seeing UConn tie it, Nikki Boltja took matters into her own cross stick, scoring three goals on free position shots over the next seven minutes to provide Louisville with a 6-3 halftime advantage.

The Huskies started the final half strong and ran off four straight scores...Lauren Kahn flipping in the go-ahead tally with 21:43 remaining in the game to make it 7-6 UConn. The Cards roared right back, though...Boltja scoring to tie, Kay Morissette giving UofL the lead and Boltja making it 9-7 Louisville with 17:05 to go.

The Huskies climbed within one before Louisville went on a 2-0 run. Faye Brust found the net with 8:10 left and Colleen O'Malley's net-finder had Louisville ahead 11-8 with 4:28 on the clock.

Louisville's defense couldn't seal the deal, though...UConn scored three goals to tie...the final coming as time expired in regulation from Morgan O'Reilly.

UConn produced the game winner with 15 seconds left in overtime when O'Reilly found Kacey Pippitt with a pass and Pippitt found the net to put the Huskies ahead 12-11.

Louisville (8-6, 0-5) starts a home-stand on Saturday April 20th., when Cincinnati comes to the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium.

-Paulie


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Busy weekend for UofL women's sports

WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND!



SATURDAY EDITION: CARDINAL COUPLE



-Soccer goes down to Pitt

-Women's tennis in Hokie Fall Invitational

-Greater Louisville Classic for Cross Country

-Volley Cards sweep UConn

-Field Hockey ready for the Huskies

It's a busy weekend for the UofL women's sports program, so lace up those low tops, get hydrated and let's jump right in and consider it "game on".

Tough loss for Karen Ferguson Dayes' soccer Cards in Cardinal Park Friday night against the Panthers. Louisville fell to 8-3 with a 2-0 defeat...losing for the first time in school history to Pitt.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty kick and Liz Carroll found the net. The Cards seemingly outplayed Pitt in the first half...holding an advantage in shots and corner kicks...but could not find the net.

Pitt finished the scoring in the second stanza when Christina Nicassio booted one in directly in front of the Louisville goal following a set up pass from Abby Baldys.

Louisville returns to action Sunday vs. WVU in Cardinal Park. game time is 1 p.m.

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Volleyball blanked home standing UConn 3-0 Friday night behind the strong arm of Tanya Lukyanenko. She muscled 12 kills past the Huskies and Louisville cruised to 25-21, 25-11 and 25-12 game victories.

Blocking and defense contributed to the sweep as well. Gwen Rucker and Anastasia Artemeva secured six blocks for Leonid Yelin's squad.

The Cards never trailed in any of the three games against the Huskies and recorded an impressive .378 in hits...holding the Connecticut team to just .021

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Women's tennis participates in the Hokie Fall Invitational in Blacksburg, VA. this weekend. The event features 12 teams and Louisville will expect big things out of Sarah Miller, Becca Shine, Mandy Brown, Julie Fellerhoff and Ameila Harris.

The Cards come off an impressive showing against Michigan State last week...when Miller and Shine won doubles competition and Brown and Fellerhoff gained runner up honors in doubles as well.

The participants for the three day event look like a Rick Pitino pre-season basketball schedule. James Madison, UNC Wilmington, Radford, ETSU, Marshall, Winthorp, Davidson, William and Mary, Liberty, Virginia Tech and UM-Baltimore County compete along with the Cards.

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Both Cross Country squads hosts the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday. A whopping 97 schools will contest the course at E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer Park. The Lady Card runners will hope to score well with Kim Grieshaber who finished second in the Navy Invitational. Both Monica Hernandez and Emily Borsare also finished in the top 12 at Annapolis.

They'll test the 5,000 meter course at Saywer. The event is the largest cross country collegiate meet south of the Mason-Dixon line. They hit the line at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday.

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Field Hockey tussles with Connecticut Saturday at noon in Trager Stadium. The #10 Cards went thru a brisk workout Thursday and we were on site to watch the ladies go thru the paces. Pam Bustin and her staff keep the girls on the go with shooting and passing drills. They try situational offensive scoring drills from both sides of the field and Bustin closely monitors the action, stopping play from time to time to point out strategies and suggestions for attack opportunities.

Watching Louisville practice with me was assistant women's SID Lori Korte. As we watched the Cards go thru the paces I had the chance to talk to Korte and found out that she is a long time Louisvillian, spending her college days at Bellarmine and coaching at Holy Cross before joining the Cardinal sports information staff.

Also busy on the field was Louisville sports performance director guru Carol Banda. She kept to a brisk pace... keeping the players hydrated, watching for any injuries and monitoring the action.

The old adage is "you play like you practice." If Thursday's work is any indication of how the Cards will do against the Huskies...Louisville looks in real good shape to win on Saturday.

Cardinal Field Hockey ready to tame Huskies

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

#10 Louisville vs UConn

We devote the Friday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE to the Saturday matchup between #10 Louisville and #5 Connecticut that will take place Saturday at noon in Trager Stadium. We're fortunate enough to have three exclusive interviews with senior TEAM CARDINAL Field Hockey Players and head coach Pam Bustin. The ladies are ready to roll and if they show the determination of Nicole Youman (pictured here) they'll send the Huskies back to Storrs on the short end of the score.

JENNA AHERN

(On the Cards 2008 win over UConn at Trager Stadium)

" I did play in that win. It was the opening of the Marshall Center and a big home win for us. We're hoping to duplicate that again."

(On the rivarly with UConn)

'Definitely our arch rival in the conference. It was a heartbreaker losing to them last year. Maybe it was the theme of the season...heartbreaking, because we had so many overtime losses. WE came out strong but a couple of minutes can lose you a game, so we need to stay strong all the way."

(On scouting this year's UConn squad)

"We need to be ready. Especially on defense, they have skilled forwards..so were looking to skill them outside, delay as best we can on defense. We definitely don't want to give up a lot of corners because they've scored well on those this year."

(Her message to CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

'Come out and cheer us on. WE want your support."

NICOLE YOUMAN

(On the 2008 win over UConn)

"It was one that you don't forget, for sure. They were ranked fourth and we won."

(On getting open to score on UConn)

"It's really a team thing. It's all about all of us working together. About getting that open shot on the goal and if that happens to be me...yeah, that would be great."

(On having an advantage if the game goes to overtime)

"I think so. Because of our passion and determination right now. We've learned a lot from overtime this year and I'd be comfortable going in to it."

(On facing players from the last couple of UConn teams)

"There are a few back from the last couple of years. They have a lot of foreign players that are in and out every couple of years...so there will be a few new faces but there are a few girls that I'll remember from last year."

(A special message to the CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"It great to have all the fans coming out. The support we've had on our Facebook page...yeah, please keep coming out and hopefully we'll put on a good game, get the win and make it worth their while."


TULI YIM

(On beating UConn in 2008)

"It was a very exciting game! It was an incredible thing...we just played so well together and it really showed. WE got the win and it was incredible.

(On what to expect out of UConn on Saturday)

"They are very skilled. They're the #5 team so it will be great competition. WE know their tendencies. WE really just want to move the ball around, I want to just get the ball to those who will score...trusting them and their abilities."

(Her message to CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"It's going to be a phenomenal game, so come out and watch. It's going to be very exciting!"


PAM BUSTIN

( On the mood, tempo and tone of the players going in to the UConn game)

"Everyone is really excited. I think that our focus is the key to this match. Having a week to prepare and having it be Connecticut....who we always look forward to playing. It's going to be a balance of keeping the energy high and keeping them relaxed as possible. We've just been taking care of our own business here every day and getting into what we have to do to combat Connecticut."

(On Youman and scoring against the UConn defense)

"Nicole Youman is obviously a very good forward and field hockey player and I'm sure Connecticut has a plan to minimize her impact on the game...but for us we've been working on our entire attack unit, so..hopefully as Nic does what she can to open up other players and maybe distract some of the defenders...we'll be able to take advantage of some of the opportunities and score.


(Do we want to see this one go into overtime?)

"No! But if it has to, we'll do what we have to do to win. Despite what the record shows, we actually played really well in our first two overtime games this year. It's just a matter of us finishing the game. I'd rather win in regulation, but if we have to win in overtime...we'll do it."

(On her pregame talk to the team)

"I think inspiration may not be the issue here. Focus and relaxation...trying to get them ready to go. Balanced...getting them ready for what they have to do to get the result they want. We don't need to be too jacked up for this game. The desire..it's gonna be there."

(To the CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"Come on out and support us! We've been playing some beautiful hockey this season. We're ranked tenth in the nation right now and we're not satisfied with that. We've been hitting a wall...trying to break thru that tenth ranking. Hopefully on Saturday, with good focus and good support and a good game...we'll be able to climb a little bit up that ladder there.'

What else can be said? Be there, be a part of it and come to know the excitement, dedication and drive that is TEAM CARDINAL.

It's gonna be a good one. Don't miss it. CARDINAL COUPLE will have a full report on the contest Sunday and on Saturday...Paul will have a piece on his visit to practice on Thursday.

Field Hockey looks to set record

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:


-Field hockey faces #5 Connecticut


-USA defeats Australia 83-75


-Women's Golf this weekend

-McCune makes a choice

UofL has a score to settle. The field hockey team hosts #5 Connecticut Saturday noon at Trager Stadium and is looking for their second win lifetime against the Huskies in nine meetings. TEAM CARDINAL last defeated UConn in 2008 at Trager, a 3-1 win over a Husky team that was ranked #4 in the nation. Last year, a heartbreaking 3-2 loss on the road to UConn in overtime. #10 Louisville is 6-3 on the season, with losses to Duke, Syracuse and Ohio State...all by one point and all three in overtime. The Duke and Ohio State games went to double overtime.


The game is designated as a "white out". UofL is looking to set a field hockey single game attendance record on Saturday. Admission is free to the match and free t-shirts will be given to the first 500 fans thru the gates. Louisville is averaging over 1600 for home contests this year.


CARDINAL COUPLE will have interviews with Cardinal head coach Pam Bustin and several of the Cardinal player in tomorrow's report. The Cards also play on Sunday against St. Louis.


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Team USA went to 6-0 in group play with a convincing win over Australia yesterday in the Czech Republic. USA finished atop the group standings in the World Championship and heads to a quarterfinal matchup with South Korea on Friday.


It was Diana Taurasi leading the way for USA with 24 points, including several key hoops in the fourth quarter when it looked like the Aussies might make a run. USA got out early against the "down under" bunch...leading by 24 in the second quarter and 15 at the start of the fourth quarter. "Big Syl" Sylvia Fowles added 15 points and Tina Charles put back 14 in the win for Geno Auriemma's squad. Louisville's Angel McCoughtry saw limited action in the matchup and finished with 2 points. 19 year old Australian sensation center Liz Cambage led the losers with 19 points. Liz is projected to be one of the first picks in the upcoming WNBA draft. Gotta be pretty special if you bump Lauren Jackson out to power forward...


I wonder if Jeff Walz could talk her into four years of college first ?


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The UofL women's golf team heads to South Bend this weekend to participate in the W.K Warren Invitational. The two day event is hosted by Notre Dame. Sara Maude-Juneau, Anna-Karin Ljungstrom, Laura Anderson and Candice Wiley lead the wood and iron crew. There's also a freshman on the squad named Katie Petrino.

I wonder if Dad will take the weekend off and serve as her caddie for the event? The daughter of Bobby Petrino has yet to see action in any Cardinal events yet...but she was one of the top high school girls' golfers in Arkansas last year. Reports are she beats Pop regularly on the links and participated in several women's TPC events this summer as an amateur.


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Congratulations to men's soccer! They defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 2-0 yesterday in .A big win for Ken Lolla's crew...they go to 7-0-1 and are atop the BIG EAST standings. Dylan Mares followed up on a missed goal shot and put it in the back of the net in the first half and Austin Berry headed one in during the second half for the Cardinal scores.

It's always good to beat UK in anything...

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Fern Creek center Teonia McCune has committed to Wright State's women's basketball program. The 6'5" senior averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds as a junior for the Tigers. McCune holds the Fern Creek records for rebounds (33 against Male), blocked shots (17 vs. Scott County), and is 4th in the state in career blocked shots.

McCune caught the eye of UofL head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz when he arrived at Louisville and she was a freshman playing with current Cardinal Monque Reid. She slipped off the Cards radar, though...and Walz has been aggressively pursuing other post players...getting a verbal commitment from 6'5" Georgia star Quaneisha McCurty and landing UNC transfer Cierra Warren for the 2011-12 season.

Good luck in Ohio, Teonia. Having seen her play a few times, I can tell you...you don't want to drive and try the paint against her.

USA goes to 5-0 in World Championships

WEDNESDAY @ THE COUPLE HEADLINES:

-USA rolls on in FIBA World Championships.

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-Rachel calls it a day.

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-Your Field Hockey reminder.

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-Another UofL vs. UK matchup.

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Kinda of a slow period for UofL women's sporting contests yesterday and today, so we'll catch up on a few items outside of the Lady Cards athletic endeavors.

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The USA squad went to 5-0 yesterday in the World Championships in the Czech Republic. Geno Auriemma's squad had no problems with Belarus in a 107-61 romp. "Big Syl" Sylvia Fowles led the way for the Americans with 15 points and 6 boards. A 37-11 first quarter advantage put this one out of reach early and USA led 58-28 at the half.

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Balanced scoring for Geno's squad on Tuesday. Diana Taurasi tallied 14 points in just fifteen minutes, Candice Dupree added 12, both Swin Cash and Maya Moore ended with 11 and Angel McCoughtry contributed nine points in 20 minutes of action.

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The big one is Wednesday against the Aussies. Seattle Storm center Lauren Jackson leads the "down under" squad into the contest with a perfect 5-0 record. Australia won the last edition of the World Championships in 2006...USA got the bronze.

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Glad to see that two of Angel's teammates on the Atlanta Dream are playing well in the worldwide competition. Sancho Lyttle (Spain) and Erika De Souza (Brazil) are in the top five scoring totals category. Atlanta Dream head coach Marynell Meadows is an assistant coach for the USA squad. All we need is the Miller twins to have a family reunion.

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2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has hung up the saddle and retired to the breeding shed. The 4 year old filly will be bred to racing superstar Curlin. Although her 2010 races weren't always up to the standards we expected after her 2009 domination of the competition, the filly will forever have a place in my (and many others) heart for her breath-taking 20 length win in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. I'll put only one race in history above that effort...Secretariat's destruction of the 1973 Bemont Stakes field.

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Shame we'll never get the Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra matchup that fans clamored for. Rachel owes horse racing nothing, though...and we wish her the best of luck as a mare.

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Men's soccer travels to Lexington for another chapter in the Cards vs. Cats rivalry. Ken Lolla takes the Cards (5-0-2) to face a UK team that has forced overtime in five out of their last six matches. The Cats (3-4-1) start six freshmen in UK coach Ian Collins youth movement. Louisville is ranked #6 in the nation by College Soccer News.

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Have you made your plans for the noon Saturday Field Hockey showdown between #9 Louisville and #5 Connecticut? It's less than 72 hours away and it's a "white out" event. UofL is trying to set a single game attendance for the contest...so get there early for a good seat.

We'll be doing interviews with UofL head Field Hockey coach Pam Bustin and several of the stick swinging Cards tomorrow and we'll post them in the Friday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Thanks to women's athletic assistant S.I.D. Lori Korte for making the necessary arrangements and the UofL Field Hockey team for making themselves available.

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I wonder if I need to wear shin guards to the field?

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Mental note to me to see if I can find Sonja's old field hockey gear and load it up in the Villager just in case. Maybe they'll let me take a few shots on goal at Cardinal goalie Erin Conrad. Maybe I should pass if they do. No need to embarass myself anymore than I usually do...

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If you like what you see Saturday, c'mon back Sunday for another field hockey contest Team Cardinal faces the St. Louis Billikins at 1 p.m. at Trager Field.

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Nice job, Courier Journal. They list the Sunday game in their Seven-Day Planner in the sports section but make no mention of the Saturday game. I'm sure that's because they figured everyone knew about it already, right?

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Makes me wonder if some of our CARDINAL COUPLE chimps are moonlighting over there at the "One Great Newspaper"?