Sunday Cardinal Couple - Field Hockey and Softball

 Softball Wins Big

Louisville scored in every inning of their game against Georgia Tech yesterday.  Eventually winning it on the run rule, 10-2 in the 6th inning.  Meanwhile, GT would only put up single run innings in the 1st and 6th.

Carmyn Greenwood is settling in to her lead-off hitting position well, and did so yesterday with a single on the first pitch.  A steal to take 2nd positioned her to score the run on Makayla Hurst's single.

Maddy Newman was the scorer in the 2nd inning, getting it started by using her speed to beat out the throw at 1st.  Sydney Bickel walked to push Newman to 2nd and then, back at the top of the lineup, Greenwood fired the ball out to left field, giving the quick Newman time to reach home.

UofL put a crooked number on the board in the 3rd.  Taylor Roby singled, followed by Makayla Hurst taking a shot beyond the fence in right center field.  That makes six homers for Hurst for the year, and brough the score to 4-1.

Celene Funke used her speed, and took advantage of an error to reach, and then of course stole 2nd, which is nearly a given for Funke.  She then had it somewhat mooted by a pair of walks to Roby and Jennifer Leonhardt.  Charley Butler used an infield single with the bases now loaded to bring Funke home.

Moving to the 5th inning, the other Greenwood sister got it started.  Cassady doubled and then scored on a hit by Maddy Newman.  Newman then advanced to 2nd thanks to a Bickel sacrifice bunt.  Carmyn Greenwood then struck a well hit ball to left field.  After the bounce, Newman advanced to 3rd and while GT was trying to get her out there, Greenwood moved onward to 2nd.  Now with two runners in scoring position, Funke put it down the right field line, and made a double out of it, scoring Newman and Greenwood in the process.

Finally, in the 6th, Charley Butler again showed her speed, first by getting on base thanks to a fielding error by the GT short stop, then by stealing 2nd, again by taking 3rd on a wild pitch, and finally by getting home before the throw on a Cassady Greenwood single to the short stop.  Greenwood took 2nd on a wild pitch and then would score when sister Carmyn snuck a shot through the infield and out to left field.  That brought the score to 10-1 in the middle of the 6th inning.  Georgia Tech needed to at least score two to keep the game going into the 6th, but they were only able to get one across.

The fourth and final game of the series will be today at noon available on The ACC Network Extra as usual.  While there is a significant amount of rain down along the Florida panhandle, that is expected to stay well south of the Atlanta area, which result in a beautiful day for Softball, sunny and 74 being the forecast for the day.

Field Hockey

UofL vs Duke in Field Hockey seems to always be a recipe for a great and exciting game and this one was no exception.

You would've been excused for doubting this was going to be the case at halftime as the only score of the game to that point had come from Alli Bitting putting a rebound off of a penalty corner shot into the cage in the half.

The 2nd half was rather different, though.  Duke got the equalizer within a minute of the 2nd half starting.  UofL would get back on top, though with India Reed feeding an assist to Aimee Plumb to make it 2-1.  Duke would bookend the 3rd quarter, however, with a penalty corner goal to even the score at two apiece.

The Blue Devils got their first lead of the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter on another penalty corner goal.  Mercedes Pastor received a penalty stroke opportunity midway through the quarter and scored it to even the score back up at three.

The knot up at three would hold through the end of regulation and through two 7v7 overtime periods, leading a penalty strokes to decide it.  Mackenzie Karl, Katie Schneider, Charlie van Oirshot, and Mercedes Pastor, and made their shots, but were matched by four by Duke.  After the initial five strokes, the sudden victory strokes decided it for Duke after two additional rounds.

Field Hockey returns home for the regular season finale, bringing in Wake Forest, and presumably celebrating Senior Day.  Saturday, April 17th at noon will be the time for this one.  At this point, no video link is shown on UofL's site, but I would expect it to be available on ACC Network Extra.

Today's Schedule

Today's schedule is a little lighter than we've seen over the past few weeks.  Tennis hosts Clemson starting at noon at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.  And, of course, the aforementioned Softball game, also at noon at Georgia Tech.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

Case, Jared, Paulie, and I spent a few minutes talking about everything but UofL women's sports at the beginning of the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast, but did get down to business.  Mostly we talked about Softball, but did cover Lacrosse, and Field Hockey, and a touch on Volleyball and Basketball.  Check it out below.

ACC Field Hockey Championships Underway -- Cards play today -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 CARDS FH FACES VIRGINIA TODAY

The 2020 ACC Field Hockey Tournament is off and running and three matches took place yesterday. In quarterfinal action, Virginia bested Wake Forest 2-1, North Carolina had no trouble with Boston College 4-0 and Syracuse got a goal in overtime to defeat Duke 3-2. Here's a recap of the quarters: 

VIRGINIA 2 - WAKE FOREST 1

Laura Janssen scored both the Cavalier goals to open quarterfinal action in a 2-1 win over the Demon Deacons. With the win, Virginia advances to the semifinals to face Louisville today at 1:30 on Karen Shelton Field in Chapel Hill on the North Carolina campus. The #4 seed Virginia squad got the first score of the contest when they earned a penalty corner with 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Janssen took a deflected shot by Wake Forest goalkeeper Tori Glaister and sent it back past the Wake goalie to make it 1-0 UVA

No other scores occurred in the remainder of the first half.

Wake Forest came back to tie the match with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter. The Deacs earned a penalty stroke off an illegal touching of the ball in front of the goal and Alexis Grippo won the one-on-one battle against Virginia goalkeeper Laura Hausheer to make it 1-1. The squads went into the fourth quarter locked up at 1-1 and were even in shots taken at eight each.

The game decider came just 1:11 into the fourth quarter. Virginia drew a penalty corner and , once again, Janssen tracked down a missed goal attempt and scooted the loose ball into the goal for a 2-1 Virginia lead that the Cavs would not relinquish the rest of the way.

NORTH CAROLINA 4 - BOSTON COLLEGE 0 

The #2 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels had little trouble against a #7 College squad that was playing only their third game of the fall season with a convincing 4-0 sweep of the Eagles. 

Payton Wirth got the Tar Heels on the board for the first time midway through the first quarter when she field an attempt from the left side of the net that got past B.C goalkeeper Jonna Kennedy. The unassisted score made it 1-0 and that's the way the first quarter ended. UNC would look to Wirth again in the second quarter and the sophomore got her second score with about 12 minutes left in the second frame off a rebound on a penalty corrner attempt to give UNC a 2-0 lead that they would take to halftime. 

The squads played a scoreless third quarter until the final 44 seconds, when Madison Orobono tracked down a blocked shot by Kennedy and knocked it past the BC defense to set the tally at 3-0. UNC would add a final goal with a little over two minutes remaining in the game, Erin Matson following up a blocked shot on a UNC penalty corner attempt and drilling the rebound into the back of the net for the Tar Heels final score of the contest. 

UNC held a 26-13 advantage in shots in the second quarterfinal game and dre 15 penalty corners, compared to five for Boston College. Wake goalie Kennedy was busy, collecting 11 saves and North Carolina goalie Amanda Hendry turned away nine Boston College attempts. 

The win was legendary UNC head coach Karen Shelton's 700th of her career. 

SYRACUSE 3 - DUKE 2

The #3 seed Syracuse spotted #6 seed Duke two first quarter goals but rallied back to tie the contest and force an overtime. In the "first score wins" extra session, the Orange got the victory to advance to the semifinals.

Early on, it was all Duke. Just a minute into the contest, the Blue Devils found Alayna Burns wide open in front of the net and she blasted a shot past Syracuse goalkeeper Piper Hampsch to make it 1-0. Nine minutes later, the Durham squad found success again when Darcy Bourne took the feed on a penalty corner and tallied the Blue Devils second score. Duke scored a third time in the quarter but the call was reversed and the initial period ended with Duke on top 2-0.

Syracuse methodically battled back and found success five minutes into the second quarter. Laura Graziosi took a feed a let a missile loose from the left side of the circle after some fancy footwork and drew the Orange within one. The half ended with the score 2-1 Duke leading.

Eefke van der Niewenhof tied the contest up with a shot off a penalty corner after 5:22 of play in the third quarter. Try as they might, neither squad could find a deciding goal in the fourth quarter and the squads went to overtime. 

Overtime in college Field Hockey is a 7-vs-7 set up on the pitch, with each team using a goalie and six other players. It opens up the field quite a bit and the action is a bit more frentic and fast-paced than in the regular time. 

Duke's upset bid ended rather quickly in overtime. With just 2:56 expired in the ten-minute overtime, Syracuse's Graziosi created a steal from the Duke attack and took the ball in front of Syracuse goal, where she fired a missile past Hampsch for the game winner. 

So, the action held true to seedings yesterday, as the #2, #2 and #4 seed advance to he semis. Let's take a look at Louisville vs. Virginia today: 

LOUSIVILLE VS VIRGINIA

The Louisville Cardinals come into the semi-final tilt against UVA with a 7-1 record. The Cards scored two victories over the Cavaliers in the fall regular season matches. Louisville defeated UVA 5-2 on October 23rd and 2-1 on the 24th. 

In the first match, the Cards took it took the home-standing UVA squad early with two first quarter goals, one by Mercedes Pastor and the other from Aimee Plumb. The Cards led 2-1 at the half, but Pastor found success early in the third quarter with a score and, after a Virginia score, Madison Walsh gave the Cards a 4-2 lead after three. The Cards would get a final score from Margot Lawn with about four minutes left in the contest for a convincing 5-2 win. 

The following day, UVA gave the Cards a much tougher contest. The two squad battled through a scoreless first half and it wasn't until midway through the third quarter that UofL got on the board, when Pastor knocked in a shot on a penalty corner. UVA would tie it with six minutes gone in the fourth quarter but Louisville got the win as time was running out of regulation when Charlie van Oirschot intercepted a Cavalier pass, forwarded the ball to Pastor and she fed Madison Walsh near the UVA goal.

Walsh took aim and managed to scoot the ball between the legs of UVA goalie Laura Hausheer with 10 second left in the match...for the 2-1 Cardinal "W". 

What do I expect today? First off, the weather won't be a factor with ideal conditions, sunny skies, no rain threat and unseasonably warm temps expected in Chapel Hill in the mid seventies for the early afternoon opening pass-back. The only dubious factor is the annoying shadows cast on Karen Shelton Field in early afternoon contests. 

The Cards can expect an intense effort from the Hoos to shut down Pastor, but this is a Louisville team with plenty of scoring options -- so we might see Lawn, Walsh, Erica Cooper and a multitude of other Cards take aim at the UVA net. 

Defensively, Louisville will rely on the strong goal-tending abilities of Hollyn Barr and the defensive play of Alli Bitting and Megan Schneider to keep the ball away from danger. I'll guess a 4-1 Louisville win over UVA and also predict that UNC will hold field against Syracuse to set up a Cards vs Heels final on Sunday. A tired UVA squad might have trouble keeping up with the fresh-legged Cardinals, UVA's opening match forced them to exert a lot of effort and energy. 

As mentioned earlier, game time for Louisville vs Virginia is 1:30 p.m. and the Orange and Heels will follow about an hour after the first game is completed. The matches are being shown on the ACC Network and the commentary/play-by-play has been quite good and accurate so far. 

Go Cards! 

paulie

  

Field Hockey Faces Duke tonight...WSOC On the Road..VBall at Home -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

#4 DUKE TO FACE LOUISVILLE IN FIELD HOCKEY

A huge weekend for the #10 ranked Louisville Field Hockey program with Duke coming to Trager Stadium on Friday night and then senior day on Sunday against Miami (OH).

The Cards go into Friday action with a 10-3 record overall and are 2-2 in the ACC. Duke is 11-3 and 3-1 in conference play. Duke is second in the ACC with that record while the Cards are tied for third with Boston College. North Carolina sits atop the ACC with a perfect 5-0 conference record. 

Louisville successfully defended the Trager turf Sunday with a 4-1 win over Michigan State. Overall Coach Sowry was pleased with the outcome, especially the first half, where the Cards did their damage to the Spartans. 

Duke will be the last regular season ACC opponent to visit Trager this season. Coached by former Cardinals skipper Pam Bustin, Duke and Louisville split in action last year. The Blue Devils walloped the Cards 5-0 during the regular season but Louisville got revenge in the ACC Tournament semi-finals with an overtime, shootout win 3-2. That Cardinal win sent them to the tournament finals.

Rose Tynan leads the  Duke attack. The current ACC Player of the Week has 12 goals on the season. Goalkeeper Sammi Steele has four shutouts on the season and has a 1.46 goals against average. 

We caught up with Justine Sowry Thursday and got a preview of the upcoming game and weekend. Coach talks about the importance of the game, what they'll try to do and try to prevent against Duke and salutes the seniors among other things in our conversation.  We'll have more on Sunday's match in the Sunday Cardinal Couple edition.

All-World Cardinal goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran has 47 career wins going into the weekend, which places her second out of all the active goalkeeps in college women's soccer...one behind Penn State's Jenny Rizzo

ACC Network Extra will have the feed. 

LINK: COACH SOWRY DISCUSSES DUKE AND WEEKEND


WOMEN'S SOCCER (FINALLY) GOES TO WINSTON-SALEM FOR WAKE FOREST MATCH

Getting there can be half the battle sometimes. 

The University of Louisville women's soccer team faces Wake Forest tonight at 5 p.m. in Winston-Salem tonight. The start of a three-game road trip. Original plans were to have the Cards fly to Atlanta and then proceed from there to the Demon Deacons campus. Corcerns over Hurricane Michael, though, altered those plans and the Cards departed from Belknap Campus via bus Wednesday to make the seven hour bus trip to Winston Salem.

I've made that trip numerous times over the years...en route to Greensboro for the ACC Women's basketball tournament, see Louisville Football in action and to visit relatives in Burlington and Haw River, NC. That's been by car for the most part. The hills of West Virginia and Virginia are a formidable task, driving wise, if you go the I-64 route. 

The Cards face a formidable opponent in Wake Forest. The Deacs are 6-6-1 ( 2-4 in ACC) and gave Boston College their lone loss of the season, in overtime, back on Sept 27th. Since then, Wake had dropped three in a row, all against ranked opponents and most recently to FSU in Talhassee. Wake Forest is currently 10th. in the conference standings with six points and desperately need a win to be in contention for the ACC Women's Soccer Tournament. 

Louisville (10-3, 4-2) sits tied for fourth in the ACC with Clemson and Virginia. The Cards

have gained 12 points in conference play. UNC leads the way with 18 points and Boston College sits in second with 15 points. Duke is one point ahead of the Cards in third place. A Cardinal win would certainly solidify their ACC Tournament hopes and, depending on what the Tigers, Blue Devils and Cavaliers do...maybe even lift them into third place or a tie for second. 

Louisville looked great offensively and held Miami to just one shot in a 3-0 win at Lynn Sunday. Here's hoping the Cards can continue the scoring and keep on demonstrating their dominant defense.  The Friday forecast for Winston-Salem is dry with a high of 68 degrees, although that will probably drop into the 50's by the second half of the contest. 

This one is listed as being available on the Fox Sports Network. 


# 22 VOLLEYBALL BRINGS IN VA. TECH FRIDAY

After the change-of-venue, comeback win Wednesday night over Notre Dame, # 22nd ranked Louisville Volleyball returns to power-restored Cardinal Arena to face Virginia Tech tonight. This one is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and viewing will be provided on the ACC Extra Network. 

The Hokies (or Gobblers, take your pick) come to Louisville with a 12-6 overall record and 3-3 in ACC play. They've won their last two...straight set sweeps over Clemson on Sunday and Georgia Tech last Friday. 

The Cards soar along undefeated in ACC play (7-0) and 14-4 overall. They remain tied with Pitt for the conference lead and the two are the only undefeated team against conference opponents . VT is in sixth place in the ACC standings...needing a win against a top 25 foe to salvage chances for a possible NCAA bid. VT is 3-2 on the road this season and 9-4 at home

A trap game? We certainly hope not. Preferably, the emotion and exhilaration from Wednesday "Miracle of Sacred Heart" will roll over tonight and the Cards will be sharp. crisp and avoid any early serving errors.   

With a chilly night here in the Ville, it just might be a good night to whip up a batch of chili or bean soup and hang out in front of the internet to watch all three contests if you're unable to hit Floyd Street for either match. Paulie will be in Trager and we're guessing Worldwide gets back in town to descend upon Cardinal Arena in time for "serve and volley" action. 


CARDS WBB HOSTS JAPANESE PLAYER

A visitor from Japan on the UofL campus this weekend to check out the WBB program. So, where does the UofL coaching staff take a player and parents to eat? 

Why, a Brazilian steakhouse, of course! A CARDINAL COUPLE reader noticed the happening last night while dining there and dutifully reported the sighting to yours truly.

Coach Jeff Walz is known for his bold strategies and combing the globe for prospective talent and he's failed to disappoint again with this new prospect. Our guess is that it's maybe Noriko Konno, a 5'11" guard who has had great FIBA 3x3 success with Japan...plus valuable experience in the 2018 Asian Games.

Walz was in Japan to scout out talent earlier this summer. Although we don't know exactly who he watched...my internet research seems to lead to her as the visitor. I don't know much more than that. Recruiting is one thing, verbal commits another and nothing is settled until that player announcement of college choice, of course. Maybe keep an eye open at the various UofL women's sports events tonight and Sunday to see if they show up at Volleyball or Field Hockey.  

Hey, I'll drink a sake toast to that! 

We'll have the full recap of all three events here at the Couple tomorrow morning. 


paulie
xxxxx 

Wonderful Weekend Awaits -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CAMPUS CRAZY THIS WEEKEND? YOU BET!

If it isn't one of the biggest weekends in history for UofL sports, it certainly ranks up there in the top five. Beginning tonight, the best invade the 'Ville to take on various sports squads. 
We'll give you a day-by-day breakdown on what you want to see and where you want to be! 

THURSDAY

Louisville Volleyball brings in the UK Volleyball squad for a 7 p.m. Battle of the Bluegrass in the KFC YUM! Center. Another tough contest for the 4-4 Cards...who spent last weekend in North Carolina facing #5 Minnesota and #2 Wisconsin. The Cards haven't defeated UK in wide net action since 2012...back when Lola Arslanbeckova, Katie George and Gwen Rucker graced the roster. The Cats come into the KFC YUM! Center at 5-5. They've had their ups and downs this season as well...but freshman Leah Edmond has been impressive for them and blockers Kaz Brown and Emily Franklin return...they've never lost to the Cards.

For Louisville, dealing with injuries, concussions and position adjustments has Anne Kordes burning the midnight oil in her efforts to get the squad ready for the ACC. Freshman outside hitter Melanie McHenry has been a pleasant surprise for the Cards and veterans Tess Clark and Janelle Jenkins are capable of turning in big efforts for UofL. Sophomore Jasmine Bennett can be a force at the net for UofL and Molly Sauer keeps digging for the Cards.


Interview with Anne Kordes in advance of the match against Kentucky.

FRIDAY

We get it started at Trager Stadium...where UofL Field Hockey (#6 in the nation and 6-0 for the season) hosts #2 Duke. Admission is free and a 6 p.m. start is planned for this ACC match. Duke is 6-0 also and coach Pam Bustin has gotten the most out of her freshmen and veterans. 

The Cards haven't been challenged in six contests yet and are bound and determined to re-create the win they had over Duke in Trager back in 2014. Erin McCrudden leads the nation in assists ratio per contest and goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran is tops in DI Field Hockey in least goals allowed per game ratio. The Cards are also #1 in margin of victory in NCAA Field Hockey. 

Protect Trager and play their game. It's the Cards gameplan for Friday night in this showdown between #2 and #6. 

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At 7 p.m. #1 Notre Dame men's soccer comes to Lynn Stadium to play the Cards. Louisville will look to try and control the tempo against the Irish and show plenty of energy against the aggressive Irish squad. The Cards are coming off wins over Pittsburgh and Xavier and stand 4-1-1 on the season. Graduate transfer Stefan Cleveland has been a big boost at goal and Mohamed Thiaw has provided the offensive punch for the Cards. 

Notre Dame is 6-0 and recently downed UConn and Virginia Tech in their last two outings. 

The Cards didn't face the Irish in 2015 and last beat them in 2012...so none of the current players on the UofL roster have ever won against Notre Dame. Time to change that Friday night! 

SATURDAY

It's ESPN Gameday in Louisville, KY! The #2 Florida State University Seminoles come to town to face the #10 Cards. 

It's gonna get crazy up in here, ya'll. 

They're opening "the pit" at 5 a.m....just to give you an idea. The "pit" is the area behind the GameDay Crew's stage. That'll be over by the Trager Practice facility. 

Five things we'll look for:

1) What hat or mascot head will Lee Corso put on? He does it each week when he makes his pick to win the game. Here's hoping it's Louie.

2) Will we get "drunk guy on the field"? It happened at the MNF Rams vs. 49ers. It's a national stage. It's stupid, ill-advised and you will not escape, but people try it from time-to-time. 

3) How will "Lamarvelous" perform against the Noles?  I'll make a guess and say 4 touchdowns...(2 throwing, 2 running). 

4) Rain? Go away...Unfortunately, there is a 80% rain Saturday. Note that the Cards defeated FSU in a torrential downpour back in 2002. We rather see a Louisville win in dry weather. 

5) How many fans will go in 90 minutes before the game? That's when the "Happy Hour and a Half" begins. Discount prices on beverages. Louisvillians love to tailgate.  

Big game. Big day. Can we get Henry Miller to return for just one game? 

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Louisville women's soccer heads to Pitt for their ACC opener. They'll do the first kick around 7 p.m. Pitt (1-7-1) is off to a rough start...but you NEVER overlook ANY ACC foe. The Cards (5-2-1) will look to shut the Panthers down with one of the best defenses in the ACC. You can catch this one on the ACC Network Extra platform. 


SUNDAY

Still ready to don the red and root? Ohio State comes to Trager to face Field Hockey at 1 p.m. and Lipscomb will face Louisville Volleyball in Cardinal Arena on campus at 7




WE'LL HAVE MORE ON ALL THESE EVENTS HERE AT THE WEBSITE...PLUS COVER THEM ON OUR SATURDAY RADIO SHOW AT WCHQ 100.9 FM. 

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GIVE LOCAL LOUISVILLE

Please help sponsor Crescent Hill Radio today at Give Local Louisville. The non-profit radio station is where The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour and Handicapping Heroes emanates from. 

Thank you! 

LINK:  www.givelocallouisville.org

-PAULIE
XXXXX

Volleyball and Field Hockey...SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Volleyball Blocks Syracuse

In a Friday night matchup filled with familiar faces, Syracuse got the lion's share of the blocks, but Louisville came away with the victory in four sets (25-12, 22-25, 25-16, 25-18). The evening honored former members of the UofL program from alumnae players,

Syracuse, coached by former Louisville skipper Leonid Yelin, came in prepared to put a lot of blocks at the net...and they did, winning the blocking category 13-7.5 (in volleyball stats, if three players go up for a block, they each get credited with "half" of a block meaning the total can come out with some number "and a half", which is weird, but it's the way it work in Volleyball). But a game isn't decided with just blocking, and UofL did lot's of other things right to come away with the win.

Notably, The Cards were able to run a really quick offense and get the ball to the hitters before The 'Cuse could get their blocks up in place. With a defense completely designed around good blocking, the rest of the defense was easy pickings for The Cards offense committee.

The match started out with some ugly early service errors by the Cards, but once the early match jitters and the worst of the service errors were over, the Cards settled in ran the score out to a relatively easy win. In a rough second set, with some sloppy passing slowing down the pace of the offense, Syracuse was able to get their blocking engaged and stop the Louisville attack.

After the set break, UofL got their passing back on target and was able to get the offensive pace back up to the speed they wanted. Once they got back to beating out the blocks, they got a couple of relatively easy wins to close out the match.

Erin Fairs tallied the most kills with 16 on 35 swings, for an acceptable .229 percentage. Joining her in double-digit kills was Janelle Jenkins with 12 on 40 tries, for .200, which is relatively error free hitting. Tess Clark also got a dozen on 20 attempts, and with only three miscues, that gives her a whopping .450 percentage. The other side of our middle power duo showed what efficiency is like as well, with eight out of 15 for Maggie DeJong for .400.


We did see the return of Maya McClendon to the floor, after not seeing any playing time in the past two matches. Her role was limited, but she did get a few swings out of the back row for a very efficient .400 on a, notably mistake free, 5 attempts. Molly Sauer continues to patrol the back row with a level of play beyond what is normally expected from a freshman, getting 29 digs, and claiming two service aces.

This one was streamed on ESPN3, so if you missed it, you can go catch an on-demand replay. The VolleyCards will be back in action Sunday against Boston College.

Duke Rains on Field Hockey's Day

Field Hockey headed southeast to play against Duke on Tobacco Road. The dominant player may have been Hurricane Joaquin, soaking the playing field. The rains may have given the UofL squad some challenges, as Duke got an early goal and kept that lead into halftime.

The Cards held a 3-1 advantage on penalty corners, but this is a Louisville squad that has not been able to capitalize on penalty corners very well all year resulting in a 5-3 shot advantage for Duke at halftime.

The same basic pattern continued in the second half, with Duke getting the only score, and outshooting the Cards 6-4, but UofL getting more penalty corners 5-3.

UofL takes the loss against another former coach in Pam Bustin, and returns to play Sunday against UMass.

RADIO TODAY

The CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR airs today at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM locally and streaming live on the Internet at www.crescenthillradio.com

We have a great show planned for you today with recaps and discussions on volleyball, field hockey and soccer. We'll also put out the Worldwide Quiz for you and we invite you to see if you can beat my steamed colleague. 

jmca

A slow week for LOUISVILLE Women's Sports -- Saturday Cardinal Couple

After WBB loss to UK..a void of reporting


It's a period where not a whole lot is happening with UofL women's sports.

"What you do mean there was no Thursday
Thursday this week?" 

No postseason activity to follow for the fall sports. With Field Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball done for the year...basketball off until Monday and Softball and Lacrosse a couple of months away -we're in a temporary void.

It happens.

So, let's look at our three favorite moments of Cardinal sports so far in the 2014-2015 season.

In no particular ranking:

-- Field Hockey takes down UNC

It was pure joy and pandemonium. Justine Sowry's stick-

swingers bring in #1 UNCand beat them in the Trager. To see the excitement and the pride in winning this games is something we'll never forget here at Cardinal Couple. The pride and accomplishment in those young women's faces. Justine Sowry and crew took on the challenge of moving to the best conference in NCAA Field Hockey and slayed the giant. Well done....Flock.

-- Duke defeated

Another tip of the cap to Field Hockey for their win over #4 Duke. This one signified that the win over UNC eight days earlier was no fluke or one-in-a-million shot. It was also sweet in the student-defeats-teacher factor...Justine Sowry was a Pam Bustin assistant before going to run the UMass Field Hockey squad. When Bustin left for "the big time"...Duke and the ACC...Sowry was summoned to run the Cards. Well, guess what? Louisville joined the ACC and Sowry beat Bustin. Not bad...not bad at all. 

-- Still owning Iowa

A Iowa team with all kinds of motivation to take it to

Louisville in WBB came into the KFC YUM! Center and ran into the immovable object. Jeff Walz's crew turned it their best performance so far of the season in showing that the March throw-down against a BIG 10 heavyweight was not a fluke. I'd like to see that team that blinded the Hawkeyes show up in ACC play.

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We'll be doing radio today @ 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM and streaming live on internet @ www.crescenthillradio.com.

Louisville women's basketball remains the hot topic this time of year...but we'll also take a look ahead to softball and lacrosse. They aren't that far away. Jeff will attempt to better his 85% on The Worldwide Quiz and...you never know...Don Paulie and Kenny K. Keith just may drop in.

It's radio that you can probably live without...but why deny yourself of the special things in life? We're pretty special and our mamas love us...so hop in, hang on, turn up the volume and spend an hour with Worldwide and Paulie. 

paulie

Giant Killers strike again -- Louisville Field Hockey downs #4 Duke 2-1 --- Saturday Cardinal Couple

FIRST HALF SCORES ENOUGH...CARDS NUKE DUKE 2-1


The Giant Killers strike again.

For the second time in two weeks, Louisville Field Hockey has defeated a top five program in NCAA Field Hockey...knocking off #4 Duke 2-1 in a rainy Trager Stadium Friday night. The Cards win streak on the home turf increases to 15 straight on an evening where ESPN3 was on hand to chronicle another upset dealt out by Justine Sowry's stick swingers. 

Louisville started out in a defensive struggle with the Blue Demons for the first 12 minutes before Erin McCrudden returned a missed Alyssa Voelmle shot into the net on a penalty corner play. It was McCrudden's first score of the season.

Sowry and Bustin enjoy a pre game chat

Three minutes later, the Cards capitalized on another penalty corner attempt...Chile Garcia getting the feed from Paige Monson and Mallory Mason to put the Cards up 2-0 with 20 minutes left in the first half. Louisville's defense held strong to put the Cards in the locker room with the two goal advantage. 

Duke came out strong in the final half...getting off two shots and a penalty corner attempt in the first 10 minutes. They cut the UofL lead to 2-1 when Martine Chichizola took one into the circle and fired one past goalie Sydney King.

Mallory Mason and Alyssa Voelmle celebrate the win

It would be the last the the Blue Devils were heard from, though...Louisville's defense holding strong and King closing the net with six saves for the game. 

Things got a bit chippy near the end of the game...Alyssa Voelmle drawing a yellow card and sitting for five minutes. The Dookies could not capitalize on the player advantage, though...and Louisville goes to 9-2 and 3-1 in the ACC. 

Justine Sowry recaps the win:

The coaches exchange post game handshakes

"We were nervous in the beginning. I think both teams were a little jittery. As we started to get in a rhythm, we starte to play to our strength and our identity. It was a very impressive first half. In the second half, Duke came out really strong. They're a very good team, so we knew they would come out strong. It was a gritty win. We has to be disciplined and we're happy with the win." 

The Cards outshot Duke 11-10 but the visitors had a 8-6 edge in corners. 

The game also marked the return of former UofL Field Hockey coach Pam Bustin to Louisville for the first time. Four years ago, she probably never dreamed she would be back here playing and losing in an ACC match against her former assistant. 

The Cards return to the field Sunday for a 1 p.m. match against #15 Michigan. 

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CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO AIRS TODAY! 

Worldwide and Paulie will be back in the studio this morning at 11 a.m. for another exciting edition of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO on Crescent Hill Radio. 

The lads will discuss the big Field Hockey win, Worldwide will offer Volleyball musings and women's soccer, cross country and other UofL women's sports will be on the docket as well. 

They probably won't discuss Paulie's colonoscopy...but you never know. It's a good thing they don't use a video feed...he has pictures. 

Link below:

CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO IS ON THE AIR !!!!


paulie
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The Return of Pam...Field Hockey faces Duke tonight. Friday Cardinal Couple

#4 BLUE DEVILS TO FACE FIELD HOCKEY TONIGHT

The No. 12 University of Louisville field hockey team will return
to ACC play when they play host to fourth-ranked Duke
Friday at 6:07 p.m. It marks the return of Duke Field Hockey
Coach (and former Louisville Field Hockey head coach) Pam
Bustin to Trager Stadium,

The Cardinals will face their second ranked opponent in as
 many games, when they play host to No. 15 Michigan Sunday
 at 1 p.m.  Friday's game against Duke will be aired live on
 ESPN3 and Fox Sports South. Mike Hogewood will handle
 play-by-play duties and Leah Secondo will provide color analysis.


 The Louisville/Duke game is a "Black Out." Fans are
encouraged to wear black. T-shirts and a slice of pizza will be
given to the first 100 students in attendance with a valid ID

 Paulie...still a bit under the weather after minor surgery Thursday...
will miss this one live but will be following via Internet. That's
probably good...less pizzas will be needed...because we don't
settle for one piece of pizza...that's how we roll.

The Cardinals (8-2, 2-1 ACC) enter the game ranked No. 12 in
 the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll released
 on Sept. 30.

UofL is coming off of a 1-1 performance on the road last weekend.

The Cards opened the weekend with a 2-1 overtime win at No. 16 Wake Forest to earn their second ACC win of the season. Louisville's five-game win streak was snapped in a 2-1 loss at Liberty on Sunday.

Senior Alyssa Voelmle leads the team with 17 points and seven goals. Junior Sydney King carries a 1.57 goals-against average with two shutouts on the season. The Cards have the distinction of defeating #1 UNC at Trager this season.

Bustin coached the Cards from 1998-2010 and left abruptly in December 2010 to take the Duke job. It was a chance to coach at the highest level of college field hockey...the ACC...and the Blue Devils were a program in need of rebuilding and a makeover. Any chance of the Cards joining the ACC seemed remote at best at the time and Sowry was summoned
from UMass to take the reigns at Louisville. Sowry picked up where
P.B. left off and had the best season in Louisville Field
Hockey history last year at 16-4.


Bustin brings a #4 team in the nation into
her old haunts that will try and break a 14 home-game win streak that
Justine Sowry (Pam's former assistant at Louisville) and her team has
built.

Should be an intense one. Try not to miss it.






paulie

Tuesday Cardinal Couple - Certified Gall Bladder Free

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( We are most happy to have Worldwide Jeff McAdams back on the site after taking a week off to drink Grape Slushies and flirt with post-op nurses. The gall of him!! Seriously, operations always carry a risk..he has made it through his with flying colors and he'll be playing the violin again very soon. Or fiddle. Depends on which school he's covering. Welcome back, amigo!)

 

Worldwide Returns

After spending some time on the injured reserved, having missed the Saturday Cardinal Couple Radio Show, I am recuperating and getting back into the swing of things.  I do want to thank everyone for their thoughts for my well-being.  I had my gall bladder removed as it was described as being "slushy".  Gall bladder removal, according to my surgeon, is the most common surgery in the US and is essentially a drive-thru surgery.  Approximately 30 minutes and I was on my way to recovery.

Speaking of recovery...I had been making the joke that my gall bladder was "slushy" and I hoped it was grape.  I dropped this joke during pre-op and the nurses enjoyed it.  One enjoyed it enough that she made sure that when I woke up in recovery...I had a grape slushy waiting for me.

BEST. NURSES. EVER.  Also, the best grape slushy I've ever had.

I have had a great care, between Baptist Healthcare and my parents who hosted me for a couple of days of recovery, and am well on my way back to full strength.

Thank you all.

Field Hockey Schedule

We're working on getting Coach J
in a CARDINAL COUPLE hat.

Paulie posted some comments from Field Hockey Head Coach Justine Sowry about this season's
match up with Duke.  I thought we might take a minute to look through the whole schedule for Field Hockey for the coming year.  Soccer has also posted their schedule and perhaps we'll take a look at it another week.  We're still waiting for those Volleyball slackers to release theirs.

After going undefeated at home, 8-0, last season, the Cardinals will look to repeat the feat at Trager Stadium this year with nine home games.  They will be challenged, however, with visits from four teams that ended the year in the Top 20, with New Hampshire, and conference foes Duke, North Carolina, Boston College.  Other visitors include Saint Louis, Ohio State, Michigan, California, and UC Davis.

The Cards start out with a road trip, for an exhibition match at Iowa on August 23rd, but get the formal season underway at home at Trager Stadium with Saint Louis and New Hampshire.  New Hampshire finished the season ranked 16th, behind the 15th position that Louisville occupied.  Iowa capped off the past season in 19th.

On the road, Louisville heads up to Chicagoland to play in a tournament in Evanston, IL with Dartmouth and Northwestern with Northwestern carrying over a 17th rank.

Lynchburg Lemonade should NOT be served
to canines or pre-teens.

The next week starts conference play with part of a tour of Virginia with a match in Charlottesville vs Virginia and their end-of-season 7th ranking, and then a jaunt over to Williamsburg, for a non-conference bout with William and Mary.

Coming back home, it doesn't get any easier with #3 North Carolina making their first conference visit to The Ville.  Ohio State follows up with a Tuesday visit to Trager on Sept. 23rd.

Back on the conference tour, Sowry will be taking her squad to Winston-Salem NC, to take on #13 Wake Forest.  While they're in the area, a visit to Liberty in Lynchburg, VA where I hear the lemonade is great.  What's that?  Wrong Lynchburg?  Well, shucks.

#5 Duke pays the visit that we've already had a bit of preview for on Oct. 3rd, with Michigan driving south for a Sunday afternoon meetup.  The game vs Duke should be one of the highlights of the year at Trager, don't miss it!

October 11th sees UofL make the trip up to Syracuse NY, to take on #2 Syracuse, and hope to get the game in before it gets too cold up there.

Returning home, #11 Boston College will pahk the cah on Floyd street for a Friday afternoon contest.  California visits the next day on the 18th

The Ohio Bobcats will hopefully be gracious hosts on Tuesday the 21st in Athens, OH, but Louisville
won't be able to stay long as they have to get back home to welcome in another California school, this time UC Davis, to Trager Stadium for Senior night on October 24th, 6pm.

A couple of trips northward finish off the season.  A quick road-trip up to Bloomington to visit the Hoosiers, and then finish off the regular season with a trip to East Lansing and #20 Michigan State to start the month of November.

The ACC tournament will be in Durham, NC November 5th-9th.


ROMERO LANDS

Leticia Romero’s quest to gain a conditional release from her basketball scholarship at Kansas State generated national headlines.

On Monday, Romero found a new lease on her career.

The multi-talented guard signed with Florida State and will be eligible to compete in the 2015-16 season.

(Oh, well...at least we'll get to see how she does against the Cards.)


jeffmca
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