Lacrosse has three on All-American teams -- Friday CARDINAL COUPLE

READ, KOLOSKI and SIVERSON ALL-AMERICANS

Add caption

The IWLCA has named Louisville's Brittany Read, Hannah Koloski and Meghan Siverson to the 2017 Division I All-American teams. Read and Koloski are on the second team and Siverson the third team. 

They'll be invited to the awards banquet on Saturday, June 3rd. at the Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt Valley, MD. 

Coach Kellie Young on the trio: 


"What a remarkable year this has been. I couldn't be prouder of these three student-athletes and I'm incredibly grateful for the contributions they made to our program this year. Hannah graduated as one of the most prolific scores in program history. Brittany has solidified herself as the best goalie to ever play at Louisville. Meg, just a sophomore, made a statement in Division I lacrosse as both a draw specialist and an offensive presence...scoring in every game this season. " 

Read was the ACC Defender of the Year....leading the league in saves and had the second best average in goals allowed. 

Koloski led Louisville in scoring with 62 goals. She was also named first team All-ACC and first team All-West/Midwest Region....as was Read. 

Siverson finished second on the squad with 55 goals and was also named second team All-ACC and first team All West/Midwest All-Region. 

We, at Cardinal Couple will miss watching the fleet Koloski dashing down the pitch on a fast-break. We're thankful to have both Siverson and Read back...they will be the anchors of the 2018 Lax Cards. 

Everyone have a great weekend....The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour will not be broadcasting Saturday because of The Mighty Kindness Festival that WCHQ 100.9 is helping sponsor and providing live air to. Jeff and Case will get you thru the weekend here at the site, though. 


paulie
xxxxx 

Louisville Lacrosse eliminated from NCAA Tourney by James MAdison -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

5-0 DUKES RUN SENDS CARDS HOME

A 5-0 closing run by the James Madison lacrosse team over the final 15 minutes of the contest propelled them past the Cards and eliminated Louisville from the NCAA Tournament. 

The end of this one was hard to watch...when I did eventually figure out how to watch it...boos and hisses to Penn State for making this a pay-per-view event on my computer but allowing me to watch it free on my diminutive cell phone through the College Sports Network.

Hard to watch in screen size but also in the untimely collapse of the Cards normally strong defense and disappearance of any scoring threats during crunch time. For the fourth straight year, LouLax makes the NCAA Tournament and bows out after the first game. 

The Cards started strong enough...holding a 3-1 lead after 13 minutes of play. Hannah Koloski got the scoring started just two minutes into the match when she connected on a free position attempt. Goals by Jillian Balog and Meghan Siverson followed. JMU did rally with a first half 5-0 run to regain the lead and took a 6-4 lead into halftime. 

The Cards would climb with one in the early part of the second half at 7-6 when Hannah Koloski got her third goal of the game at the 15:48 mark. After that, though, the offense remained silent and the defense fell apart. 

Kellie Young comments: 

"I am super proud of our seniors and what they brought today," said head coach Kellie Young. "They left their hearts on the field and unfortunately the other 23 players did not. The defense played out of their minds to start the game and the attack was playing scared. Our attack then stepped it up in the last eight minutes but you have to play 60 minutes. I am disappointed right now and embarrassed that Louisville lacrosse did not play the level that we played in the ACC Tournament. We will figure it out and attack next year."


A season of ups and downs ends for Louisville LAX. We hope that the disappointment associated with this loss will spur those returning for next year on to do better and go at least one step further in 2018. 


****************************************************


the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO SHOW

I meander back into the studio today to co-host The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour with WorldWide Jeff McAdams. Case is off this week, busy with the arduous process and physical exertion of moving...but we have a very special guest scheduled to join us in studio in Louisville Cardinal sports editor Dalton Ray.

We'll run through the worlds of softball, lacrosse and much, much more this morning at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM and at www.crescenthillradio.com plus get a look at what involves being a sports editor for a college newspaper from Dalton. 

Should be fun. Please join us and stay tuned for Handicapping Heroes following the show. 


paulie
xxxxx

Louisville Softball in ACC Tournament...Lacrosse leaves for NCAA Tornament -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

I suppose we could call today's CARDINAL COUPLE edition the Tournament edition...with Softball already in Chapel Hill, NC and waiting to play NC State later today at 5 p.m. and Lacrosse on the way to University Park, PA to face James Madison in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon. We can even toss in women's golf...who finished their three day run in the NCAA Regionals...unfortunately not qualifying for the NCAA Championships. 

Here's what lies ahead for today and the weekend: 


SOFTBALL SET FOR A STATE SHOWDOWN


One of the few ACC Tournaments, it seems, that was not moved out of North Carolina is the ACC Softball Tournament. It starts today on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill at Anderson Stadium. The top eight teams in the ACC final ranking take the field today in quarterfinal action. #1 seed FSU faces #8 Virginia at 11 a.m. Following is #4 Boston College vs. #5 Notre Dame. At approximately 5 p.m. the #2 seed Cards will face #7 NC State and the nightcap features #3 North Carolina against #6 Syracuse. 

The tournament is a single-elimination format...with the semifinals taking place at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday and the Championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. The ACC Network Extra and RSN are listed as the televised media sources for the quarters and semis...ESPN will show the title match. In Louisville, RSN means Fox Sports South as a rule...so check there first if you're planning on watching. If the Cards win today, they would get the winner of the North Carolina vs. Syracuse contest and play at approximately 3:30 Friday.

The Cards ended the season facing their foe today and swept the N.C. State Wolfpack in a three-game series. Anderson Stadium will see the Cards for the second time this season...it was the site of the 2017 ACC/Big Ten Challenge...where the Cards beat Purdue twice and split with Ohio State. 

Louisville has five players hitting .300 or better. Nicole Pufahl leads the way with a .360 average. Maryssa Becker follows with a .338 average. Your obvious choice for governor...Jordan McNary 'slaps' in at .329...with Tiarra Sanabria (.319) and Morgan Meyer (.304) rounding out the five-some. Close behind, with averages of .290 or better are Alison "Mike" Szydlowski (.299), Megan Hensley (.295) and Jamie "New Pride of New Egypt" Soles at .293. 

A whole bunch of hitting, pitching, fielding and running headed your way...starting today...ACC style. Best of luck to the Cards...take the title! 


******************************************************


LACROSSE OFF TO PENNSYLVANIA

The Louisville Lacrosse team departed from "the Little Yum" yesterday afternoon...with a send-off from fans and the UofL Pep band...to travel to University Park, PA...where they'll face James Madison in the first round of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament. 

We got the chance to speak with ACC Defender of the Year Brittany Read, ACC All-First team member Hannah Koloski and head coach Kellie Young shortly before they climbed on the bus and headed for the airport. We have those complete interviews below: 

BRITTANY READ

HANNAH KOLOSKI

KELLIE YOUNG

A new situation for the LaxGirls...in several aspects. First off, not having to face Northwestern in the first round. The Cards and Wildcats have faced up in the first round in the last three Louisville appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Also, the Cards will be in a new venue...Penn State's field...instead of on the Northwestern campus. 

Louisville looks to win their first-ever NCAA Tournament game tomorrow. Check back with us tomorrow to get the time and specifics of the broadcast stream. 

It's tournament time. Grab your popcorn, beverages and hunker down in front of your viewing device! 


paulie
xxxxx

Lacrosse opens ACC Tournament against Virginia -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

#6 Seeded Cards face the Cavs at 8 p.m. 

Kellie Young's Louisville Lacrosse squad begins ACC Tournament play tonight in Richmond, VA at Sports Backers Stadium. The Cards (11-6, 3-4) are #18 in the nation. They face the #3 seed Virginia (10-7, 4-3) which is #12 in the nation. 

Louisville visited Virginia earlier in the season on April 15th and fell to the Cavaliers 11-7. The Cards had a 6-5 lead at halftime but a strong second half defense from UVA limited UofL to just one second half score.

For the Cards, Hannah Koloski leads the offense with 58 goals and two assists in 2017. She, along with Brittany Read made the 2017 All-ACC First squad. Meghan Siverson was selected for the second team. Koloski, a senior from Lakeville, MN leads the nation in free position goals with 1.53, is second in shots on goal with 6 a contest fourth in goals scored with 58. Coach Young on the trio: 

"Hannah, Brittany and Meghan have been such significant parts of our success. Hannah has faced the top defenders from every team...game after game...she has battled face guards and double teams and still fond a way to score."  

Read, a junior from Gibbsboro, NJ has been stellar in goalkeep after returning from a season ending injury last year. She's fourth in the nation with 10.06 saves per game and stops 51.7% of the shots she faces. She leads the ACC in saves, save percentage and saves per game. Read also owns the school record with 300 career saves. 

Siverson has been a pleasant surprise this season. After a freshmen year of limited playing time, she stepped into center midfielder spot and produced 51 goals and eight assists. Another "Jersey girl" ...from Morristown...she averaged three goals made per game.

Madison Hoover (18) and Ashley Lynch (17) led Louisville in assists this season. Freshman McKayla Conti has also been a valuable contributor in the attack and senior Stephanie McNamara is one of the best defensive players in the nation. 

All games today will be shown on the ACC Network Extra and action gets started at 11 a.m. when #1 seed North Carolina faces #8 seed Duke. #4 seed Notre Dame will face off against #5 Boston College at 2 p.m. #2 Syracuse goes against #7 Virginia Tech at 5 p.m.

25 teams participated in the 2016 NCAA women's lacrosse tournament. With a current rank of #18 or #19 (depending on which poll you look at) in the nation, you have to like Louisville's chances of getting a bid...but a win or two in the ACC Tournament would certainly secure the Cards a spot in the bracket. 

Seven of the eight ACC schools are in the top twenty. The Cards RPI is #27. 

Finish might be the most appropriate word to use when assessing the Cards chances over the next several days. Young's squad has held first half leads over five of the seven ACC schools they played this year (Virginia, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Syracuse and Duke). They lost three of these games (Virginia, Notre Dame, North Carolina). The Cards trailed Boston College at halftime and lost. Against Virginia Tech, Louisville was tied at the half and went on to win. 

60 minutes. Finish as strong as you start. That is the key, if LouLax wants to pile up a few wins at the end of the season. That quest begins tonight, in what could possibly be the final game of the year for Louisville...if they fall. 


paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball -- We continue breaking down the brackets...Lacrosse goes Coastal -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

OKLAHOMA CITY, STOCKTON WILL BE CHALLENGING

(Don't forget the Jeff Walz Show tonight at Chili's on Bardstown Road. "Dave and Doris" of ESPN will be there with the mad scientist to discuss the NCAA Women's Tournament and answer your questions. I think I'll ask them what to order...) 

Yesterday we looked at UConn and Notre Dame's regions and today we'll examine the Louisville region (Oklahoma City) and the Stockton regions. It should be noted yesterday I did say that Stanford would be at home...they will not...they'll be at Kansas St. due to a scheduling conflict. Will it matter? Probably not. 

OKLAHOMA CITY

11 driving hours from Louisville and where the Chesapeake Arena proudly stands is the destination for the 16 teams in the Oklahoma City bracket. Some might call it the Midwest bracket or the Baylor bracket. Let's have a look: 

Baylor should roll past Texas Southern and whoever comes out of the Cal vs. LSU game. I'm still wondering how California got in and Virginia didn't. Maybe it's because Cal head coach Lindsay Goettlieb is seven months pregnant and just got engaged. As a #9 seed, they were probably one of the last four in...I think they'll be a first round "out" and LSU gets the Bears.

Paulie and Bill head out for Oklahoma

Right here in River City, Louisville hosts Chattanooga, Tennessee and Dayton. The Cards handled the "Choo-Choo's" earlier in the season and, although apparently the Mocs have gotten better...so has Louisville...and the Cards advance to play either the Vols or Flyers. Tennessee is bi-polar. They've beaten Stanford, Miss. St., Kentucky, Notre Dame and South Carolina. They've lost to Va. Tech., Ole Miss, Georgia, and twice to Alabama. The Flyers have nine players over 6'0". I expect it will be a Louisville vs. UT match-up and I'll take the Cards in a close one. 

Oklahoma gets Gonzaga and this could be a #11 seed over #6 upset...I'll go with the Bulldogs over Boomer Sooner. Washington and Montana St should fall in favor of the Huskies from Seattle. Northern Illinois and DePaul looks to be a barn-burner...Doug Bruno's Blue Demons can be dangerous Tournament time (ask Jeff Walz) and I see them advancing then falling to Mississippi St...who gets Troy to start. Troy Aikman? Troy Polamalu? Troy Donahue? My bartender buddy Troy Combs? Doesn't matter. Troy goes home and MSU gets to Oklahoma City by beating them and DePaul. 

MSU's Victoria Vivians and crew will face a dangerous Huskies crew in Oklahoma that features Kelsey Plum, Chantel Osahor and Katie Collier. I'm going to show my anti-SEC bias here and predict the Huskies mush on to face the winner of the Louisville vs. Baylor game. Can the Cards get by Kim Mulkey and her Lady Bears? Why not? They've stopped big girls in the middle before an slowed down excellent guards. We'll go heart over stats here and take the Cards in a close one. We're called Cardinal Couple...so it should come as no surprise to anyone that we'll predict the Cardinals over Washington in the regional final and the chance to go to Dallas. 

STOCKTON

Way out West...and only three of the 16 teams in this region are from the west. I realize that it would have had people screaming at their soup if Washington, Stanford, Oregon State and UCLA all would have ended up here...but just one of the four? C'mon NCAA Committee. Gotta show more game than that. 

Who will beat South Carolina? They'll have no trouble against UNC-Asheville, I have them beating Michigan State next (although it could be Arizona State...who beat UK earlier in the year and finished fifth in the PAC 12). I have Miami meeting the Gamecocks in Stockton...the Canes disposing of FGCU, and Marquette to get there. Sonja says Miami and beat South Carolina. I see it not...and have Dawn Staley's squad facing Oregon St. in the regional final and beating them.

Oh, Paulie...What say you of Florida State?  I think they beat Western Illinois and then win the battle of the dyslexia schools (FSU vs USF). I do not see them knocking off Oregon State. As much as I like Jose Fernandez's squad at South Florida this year...I just don't see them beating FSU after getting by Missouri. Creighton played well all season and should handle Toledo in their opening match...but it won't go so well for them against Oregon State is the thought here. 

South Carolina completes my picks for dancing in Dallas. Good luck! We'll come back to this topic when we know who is in Dallas and see how well I did with this fearless forecasting. 


**************************************************************


THE CARDINAL COUPLE PICK "EM" 

We hope you'll accept our invitation to take part in the annual NCAA WBB Tournament Pick 'Em. It's free...and all you have to do is submit your picks to us before Friday noon. You can leave then in a comments sections or e-mail them to us at: 

cardinalcouple@twc.com 

Sonja and her merry band of staff chimps will pour through them, occasionally pull one out and laugh hysterically at it, and post several of them for observation at the local post office and beauty salon. 

We've had a good response so far. Why not go for it? 


**********************************************************


LACROSSE GOES COASTAL...BEATS THE CHANTICLEERS 13-6

A couple of weeks after Paulie terrorized Conway, SC...the Louisville lacrosse squad retraced those steps back to Coastal Carolina and did damage to the "Chants" behind the strong scoring of the pride of Lakeville, MN...Hannah Koloski. 

Hannah tied her career high goal output with six scores and #20 Louisville improved to 8-2 on the season with the win. 

The Cards jumped out to a 4-0 lead...Koloski scoring twice...and took a 7-4 halftime advantage to the locker room (or maybe tent). Koloski had four first half tallies and Meghan Siverson added two for the Cards...who were getting strong goalkeeper play out of Brittany Read...the ACC Lacrosse Defensive player of the week. 

Junior Julia Wood

Louisville began the second session strongly with another 4-0 run and after a Elise Koehl score...Louisville found themselves up 11-4 with 16 minutes left to play. Koloski got her sixth score a few minutes later and Junior Julia Wood netted her first score of the season to cap the Cardinal scoring and the seven-goal win. Siverson had three goals in the "W", Koehl added two and McKayla Conti found the net once for "the stick girls"...who have won four out of their last five. 

A 32-13 shot advantage for the Cards in the match and Read finished with four saves. 

UofL heads to Boston College next...for a Saturday, March 18th. match that starts at noon. 

************************************************************

...in case you missed it...

Francesca Pan keeps dancing

Four ACC WBB squads are in the women's NIT tournament. Wake Forest starts with Beth.-Cookman, Georgia Tech gets Jacksonville, Virginia Tech plays Rider and Virginia faces St. Joseph. 

We had hoped Clemson might get an invite. They did not. UNC isn't "in" and that's a bit surprising. Boston College and Pitt are sitting out as well. 

Of local interest, Morehead State will play Middle Tenn. and Indiana squares off against Ball State. 


with brackets dancing in his head...
paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball...Walz, Hines-Allen Talk ACC Tournament -- Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE

WBB READY FOR ACC TOURNAMENT

Jeff Walz and Myisha Hines-Allen met with the media Tuesday morning to discuss...what else? The upcoming ACC Tournament. They did delve into a few other subjects as well...Walz reminding me that they no longer use chain nets anymore...which, is a shame...they used to make such a neat noise if you were lucky enough to swish one from the deep. 

We have their full comments below for you to listen to...let's review the highights. 


WALZ: THEY'RE AS HEALTHY AS THEY'RE GOING TO GET

Walz answered questions about many different subjects in his nearly 20 minutes interaction with the media. Appearing chipper, in good spirits and not going off on any rants or tangents...he is looking forward to the trip to Conway, SC

On playing the early games...He's in favor of the 11 a.m. tip-off on Thursday...as well as a 11 a.m. match-up against NC State if they get by the winner of the Clemson vs. Virginia Tech contest.  

On his confidence level as a #5 seed. Walz is very confident. The squad is as healthy as it has been, taking out Briahanna Jackson...who will not play in the ACC Tournament. He has a good feeling about the freshmen and his depth...which has been getting a lot of experience lately . 

A first game preference? Walz really doesn't have one. He pointed out that both Virginia Tech and Clemson played them close until the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech is very quick, crafty with the basketball. Clemson has a group of young kids playing with a lot of confidence right now. 

A secondary goal for the tournament. There is and it's being a top four seed in one of the NCAA Regions and being able to host the first and second round games. A second round win over either VT or Clemson is very much need and the further they go, the better their chances of securing home court advantage for the NCAA Tournament. 

Syd's recent play? Coach was very complimentary of several freshmen and mentioned that team had to guard her or she would make them play. He attributes her work ethic, pointing out that she is getting down the court much faster now and creating her shot instead of just watching and waiting. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW: 

COACH WALZ TALKS ACC TOURNAMENT AND CHAIN NETS!

MYISHA TAKES THE MICROPHONE

Hines-Allen spoke with the media shortly after Walz and had the following observations. 

On being Player of the Week in the ACC? She was happy to be recognized for that but pointed out that it was her teammates that made it possible. Without Asia and Mariya's assists, the team's rebounding and recognition it wouldn't happen. It's basically a case of everyone doing their job. 

On playing at Coastal Carolina instead of Greensboro. Hines-Allen has been to the Myrtle Beach area before and it's not any big deal with the change of venue. A smaller arena that's packed full of fan can make a lot of noise, which motivates the players. 

On moving to the "3". The question got a big grin from her and she "loves talking about her move to the guard spot".  It is a big adjustment and the hardest part is learning the plays from that position on the floor. It's also a little practice for her hopes at an WNBA career..where she may not be solely a "4".

On a healthy Asia Durr this year at tournament time. Myisha recognized Asia as the best player on the team but looks at it as everyone giving what they can for the team effort. You give yourself up for the team for the betterment of the team and hope to advance far. As she said..."Mariya had a great freshman year, I had a great sophomore year and now it's Asia turn." 

The sense of urgency this time of year. You have to have it and make sure that the freshmen realize it as well. One loss and you're done. even in the ACC Tournament, where one bad half can knock you out of it...based on the quality of the opposition. 

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW: 

MYISHA HINES-ALLEN TALKS ACC AND MORE!


Fun stuff with both Tuesday. As you read this, they are in Conway...safe and snuggled into their rooms...awaiting today and the next four days of the tournament. 


DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR ACC TOURNAMENT PICKS IN BY 1 p.m today  (e.s.t.)


LACROSSE TODAY AGAINST CINCINNATI


6 P.M. is the start time for this one....at the "Ellis" (Louisville Lacrosse Stadium). The Cards were successful in their Florida jaunt and look to extend the win streak to two. 

Head over to give a look....even if it's only to see just how fast Hannah Koloski is. We're guessing there might even be a food truck on site...they get some good ones in the lot for Lacrosse...so go celebrate "Hump Day" the Lacrosse way! 


paulie
xxxxx

Senior Night...Saying Goodbye to Three -- Lacrosse wins at buzzer-- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS HONOR WALTON, JACKSON AND JOHNSON TONIGHT

The University of Louisville women's basketball team faces Virginia tonight in the KFC YUM! Center and will honor three seniors. 

Three seniors with very different stories. If it were a soap opera...we might call it "The New, The Brave and The Mom."  



The New would be Taylor Johnson. Coming to the Cards as a red-shirt senior, the former Loyola-Chicago point guard from Frankfort, IL. had a successful career leading the Ramblers before coming to UofL. At Louisville, she's given the Cards a season of stability at the point and shown solid defensive skills. A career high of 33 points back in 2013 against Milwaukee...her high at Louisville was eight against Georgia Tech. She earned her bachelor's degree in the spring of 2016 in film and digital media and is pursuing a master's degree in sports administration. 

The Brave goes to Briahanna Jackson. The fiery point-guard embodies the drive and determination of this Cardinal squad. From Tampa, FL  via Central Florida...Jackson took on a new role this season as a point-guard and has delivered the goods in an exemplary manner and with flash. The 2012-13 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, she's had 66 career games in double-figure scoring and put up 34 against Georgia State and Missouri State at UCF for career highs. She leads Louisville in steals this season and is a member of the 1,000 point club. Majoring in criminal justice. We hope the back spasms aren't bad enough to keep her out of the starting lineup tonight. 

The Mom is Cortnee Walton.  The lone member of the squad who has played in a NCAA Championship game...the fierce rebounder has been a stability and consistent factor since arriving on campus. Equally important is her leadership and guidance of the younger players...Cortnee is always there for advice, consultation and encouragement. With 589 career rebounds and 130 games as a Cardinal, she has overcome foot and elbow injuries. She was named to the 2015 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team for outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. Cortnee earned her bachelor's degree in the spring of 2015 in communications and is pursuing a master's degree in sports administration. She has a bright career ahead of her in sports media...interning at WAVE TV and working with Cards Radio WKRD as a frequent guest on Howie Lindsey's LOUISVILLE FIRST  morning radio show. The Surprise, AZ native is one of the best-loved Cards in history and it's going to be tough to see her go. 

Please try to be in your seats tonight by 6:40 p.m. to celebrate these three young women's accomplishments. They have earned your respect and acknowledgement. 

As for the game...Louisville (23-6, 10-4) faces the Cavaliers for the second time this season. The Cards took an exciting 86-81 win in overtime when they visited Charlottesville back on January 5th. Myisha Hines-Allen exploded for 31 points and 17 rebounds in the contest. Mariya Moore added 23 points and Asia Durr contributed 16. Both Hines-Allen and Moore fouled out of the contest...along with two Cavalier players...a total of 50 free throws were attempted. After a sloppy first half...Trailing by six at halftime, the Cards fell behind by 15 in the third period before rallying. Dominique Toussaint sank a three at the buzzer to force the extra sessions...but the Cards sank their final seven free throws to take the win. 

Louisville will need to find a way to contain the VA four guard attack of Toussaint, Mason, Willoughby and Huland-El and have an answer for center Lauren Moses tonight. Tip is at 7 p.m.  Once again, be there early! 


😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊


LACROSSE WINS AT THE WIRE 11-10 OVER VANDY

Hannah Koloski had six goals for the Cards in the 11-10 win over the visiting Commodores...and it was her score with four seconds left in the match that was the huge one as Louisville goes to 4-1 on the season. 

The Cards trailing 3-0 early in this affair, causing head coach Kellie Young to get a time out and rearrange some things. Koloski responded with two goals in 18 seconds and the Cards went into halftime down 5-4. 

The second half started well for Louisville with five straight scores. Koloski had two of them in the opening minutes and Louisville had a 9-5 lead with 20 minutes to play. The 'Dores battled back with a 3-0 run and tied the match with 2:30 to play. With 41 seconds left in regulation, Young got another time-out and the Cards set the play that allowed them to take a little time off the clock and give Koloski the chance to fire the game winner. 

POST GAME KELLIE YOUNG

POST GAME HANNAH KOLOSKI




PAULIE PICKS

Seven games on the ACC slate tonight! Let's take a look: 

-- Clemson at GEORGIA TECH.  The first one between these two was a nail-biter...Clemson winning 62-61 I expect nothing less in this one...and I'll flip a coin and go with GT

-- Virginia at LOUISVILLE. The Cards went to overtime at the Wahoos home. They should fare a little better on Senor Night in the "Ville" and stay in the hunt for a top four ACC finish. LOUISVILLE. 

-- North Carolina at NC State. Yes, the Tar Heels won in Chapel Hill earlier this year. NC State probably hasn't forgot that and will be looking for a bit of payback. I'd love to see UNC get the sweep...but NC State is the pick here. 

-- Boston College at NOTRE DAME.  The Eagles have been grounded most of this season and the air- traffic patterns don't look any better over South Bend. The Irish in a romp in the Purcell Pavilion. ND.

-- Wake Forest at SYRACUSE. Buoyed by the win over NC State in Raleigh, the Trees may give the Orange all they want in the un-airconditioned Carrier Dome. It probably won't be enough, though, on 'Cuse Senior Night. SYRACUSE.

-- MIAMI at Virginia Tech. Tech played the Canes to a seven point loss in Miami. Tech has lost 10 straight in a row, though, and probably won't contain the "big winds" tonight....even on senior Night. MIAMI.

-- Pittsburgh at FLORIDA ST. The Panthers need a win to stay alive for a first round ACC Tournament bye. They won't find it tonight, though, against a FSU squad that may be looking ahead to a season-ender against Notre Dame. FSU.




thanks for the birthday wishes, y'all!
paulie
xxxxx

Louisville Lacrosse takes season opener 19-8 over Vermont -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CONTI LEADS CARDS WITH SIX GOALS

One of the questions about the #18 Lax Cards going into the season was where was the scoring going to come from beside seniors Hannah Koloski and Heidi Smith? And, although the "H & H" girls did their part with three goals each...it was a pair of talented sophomores who found the most 'net' success in McKayla Conti and Meghan Siverson.

The duo combined for 11 goals (Conti six and Siverson five) in Louisville's convincing 19-8 win over un-ranked Vermont.

Conti, a midfielder/attack specialist from Ocean Township, NJ, got things brewing for the Cards early with the first score of the season just 72 seconds into the contest. Koloski, from Lakeville, MN followed that up with a goal at the 27:37 mark and it looked like the Cards were off to a furious start. 

Vermont wasn't ready to climb back on the bus and head for Burlington, though. They countered with four straight goals over the next eight minutes...three of them from another sophomore on the pitch...Jenna James...and Louisville head coach Kellie Young decided to use a timeout with 19 minutes left in the half to talk things over. Young on the time-out: 

"To be honest, it was a pretty calm timeout. It usually would be a time to light this team up but I don't think they needed that. We just needed to settle in. Vermont was using a consistent pattern and we needed to understand that pattern and make the necessary adjustment." 

The adjustment worked.

Louisville shut down the Catamounts offensively and the Cards scored the final six goals of the half...two from Conti, three from Siverson and one by another sophomore in Elsie Koehl and took a 8-4 advantage into halftime. 

Smith kept the Cardinal scoring spree going with an unassisted goal just 12 seconds into second half play. Vermont threw one last challenge into the LouLax 
squad with a three-goal counter...two from Alison Bolt...and the Cardinal lead had been trimmed to 9-7 just five minutes into final half action. 

Once again, the Cards would stiffen up the defense...limiting the America East Conference visitors to just one score the rest of the way. UofL scored eight times in the final ten minutes to put the contest away...Conti getting three in a row and Siverson tossing in the final for the 19-8 win. Freshman Ashley Lynch also picked up the first goal of her career in the second session. 

Brittany Read had six saves in goal for the Cards and allowed all eight Catamount scores. She wasn't as busy as her net counterpart on the other end of the fiedl...the Cards put up 51 shots, compared to Vermont's 18...and Vermont goalkeeper Maddy Kuras allowed 19 goals and had 20 saves. 

The Cards travel to Marquette for their next game...facing the Golden Eagles Friday at 3 p.m.


A Cardinal squad that looks to have a ton of attackers and scoring options. An impressive group of sophomores starting to reap the benefits of working hard and learning as understudy freshmen. And, an opening win on a day where two new names...a couple of Jersey girls (Siverson is from Morristown, NJ)  popped into the Cardinal Lacrosse vocabulary for the fans.

And...the name Conti in Louisville now appears to have an additional description besides a coffee roaster. Someone in Louisville marketing/advertising needs to hop on that pronto, right? 

Photos by Nancy Hanner / The Louisville Cardinal


QUOTES AND COMMENTS

I caught up with McKayla and Coach Kellie after the game for these comments on the victory. 

MCKAYLA CONTI ON THE VICTORY


COACH KELLIE YOUNG AFTER THE 19-8 WIN


😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇



PAULIE PICKS

Even though Louisville women's basketball doesn't play until Monday night...along with Notre Dame, Miami and Florida State...the rest of the conference isn't taking Sunday off. Let's look at the Sunday contests first and then the Monday games. 

Duke heads north to Wahooland facing a Virginia squad that has been on again and off in their last five games. The "off" button gets selected today for UVA against a Duke squad ensconced in the five-way tie for third in the ACC. DUKE 

Syracuse goes east...something they don't do so very often in ACC play to climb the Chestnut Hill and face Boston College. Q has his oranges in that traffic jam for third-place and should beat Baldwin's bunch in Boston. SYRACUSE

North Carolina takes a southern sojourn to the Tigers den to face a Clemson squad that got dumped by Duke last time out. Things don't get any easier for the felines as they get it stuck to them by the TarHeels. NORTH CAROLINA

In a "tech"nical battle, the Virginia version heads to Georgia to roll with the Ramblin' Wreck. The Hokies haven't been able to find the formula recently but they solve the equation today against Georgia Tech. VIRGINA TECH.

Wake Forest defends the trees against a prowling pack of Panthers in Winston-Salem. A tough call here...but Pittsburgh hasn't won an away game in ACC play yet this year and it's not going to happen today for them. WAKE FOREST

On Monday...

A top-20 battle between the Florida entries in the ACC. Miami heads north to face Florida State looking to topple the tribe. These Noles aren't any wooden Indians and should take another scalp by beating Miami. FLORIDA STATE.

The Cardinals fly north to battle the Irish in a ESPN2 game. Notre Dame has had a few scares this season and, in my upset special, the Birdies take the fight out of the Fighting Irish and get the win in South Bend.  LOUISVILLE.


ON THE ELECTRIC RADIO AND LAPTOP

We gathered in the basement on a hill Saturday for the weekly edition of THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR and had a lively time discussing Cardinal men's and women's hoops, lacrosse, Spring Sports Media Day and other topics of possible interest. A fun show where Case outlined how Louisville MBB would defeat Boston College (and they did convincingly) and WorldWide revealed his plans for going to Cincinnati and trying out for the baseball Reds. 

OK, he's going for a test-drive on a new vehicle...not a quest to take over third-base...but the car conversations were inter-spiced with some great audio and observations. You can hear the replay at the link below: 

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 2-4-17

Have a GREAT Super Bowl Sunday and we'll be back Monday to preview the Cards WBB squad's contest against Notre Dame. 


paulie
xxxxx

Classroom Cards...Louisville ranks high in National APR -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WOMEN'S LACROSSE, WOMEN'S GOLF IN TOP 10 FOR ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE

The responsibilities of a student-athlete include performance on and off the playing venue and the Louisville women's sports programs excel at keeping the standards and results exemplary in both areas.

Courtney Trimble's women's golf team and Kellie Young's lacrosse squad are ranked in the top ten nationally in the APR.

So what exactly is this APR we speak of? 

Known as the academic progress rate...it is the data collected to provide a measure of successes in the areas of academic eligibility, retention and graduation for student-athletes over a four-year period. 

Louisville Lacrosse has been recognized for the last five years by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association for having a cumulative 3.0 or better GPA.  

Cortnee Daley and Hannah Koloski were selected for the All-ACC Women's Lacrosse Academic in 2015.

Louisville women's golf registered the highest GPA of all teams on campus for the Fall 2015 with a 3.524 mark. Laura Restrepo and Katie Mitchell earned ACC postgraduate scholarship awards and the team included three Dean's Scholars (4.0 GPA). Kudos to men's basketball and men's golf also...for hitting the top ten in the APR. 

It is a requirement of the various coaches on the Belknap Campus...the equal attention to academics and athletics and a goal to perform at the peak ability in each that the student-athletes pursue very seriously. 

Taking care of business....on the pitch, in the fairway and in the classroom...from hole to goal. UofL Athletics. 

paulie
xxxxx