WSoc Travels to Saint Louis -- Hailey Van Lith -- Jordan McNary -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

We are certainly back in the full swing of a normal(ish) season with fall sports having games left and right with the addition of news from other sports who are not in season.

It makes our job much easier as we don't have to scrounge for content to provide to you. Two things fell into my lap about the time I was leaving work yesterday, adding onto today's content.

Women's Soccer Travels to Saint Louis

We'll start with the in-season sport before heading to some other individual news for current and former players for other sports.

After three straight home games to start the year, women's soccer will have their first road test of the season tonight when they visit Saint Louis. The Cards and Billikens are slated for an 8:00p.m., ET, kickoff and will be shown on ESPN+.

Louisville enters the match with a perfect 3-0 record and is recently off a 3-0 victory over in-state foe Northern Kentucky. The 13 goals in the first three matches of the season matches a program best dating all the way back to the program's inaugural season in 1985.

Offensively, the scoring has been spread out across eight players with Emma Hiscock leading the charge with three. Six of the eight goal scorers are freshmen or sophomores. Seven Cardinals have registered an assist with Brooke Dardano in front with four. Five of the seven players with assists are first-year members for Louisville's team, either as a freshman or by transfer.

The defensive side of things has been a bit shaky with the veteran defense allowing five goals. In their most recent game, the Cards registered a clean sheet while goalkeeper Gabby Kuzelos broke 200 career saves. Three allowed goals against James Madison turned a blowout into a close game. The two goals allowed against Western Michigan weren't as big of a deal due to the offense pouring on goals, but were not great nonetheless.

Saint Louis has struggled early in their 2021 season, losing three straight before breaking the goose egg in the wins column with a 2-0 victory over Illinois State. The A-10 preseason favorites opened the year ranked #21 in the United Soccer Coaches poll before plummeting out of the rankings altogether.

The Billikens had an excellent 2020 season, going 15-1-1 with a perfect 8-0 record in conference play. Their A-10 title earned them a bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Washington in penalty kicks in the opening round.

The Billikens have two goals on the season, both in their most recent match. Their defense has looked better, allowing four goals on the year, but are fresh off a shutout over the weekend. Three of the four goals allowed have come in the first half.

Abbie Miller, reigning A-10 Mid-fielder of the Year, and Emily Gaebe have been the two goal scorers for the Billikens. A-10 Offensive Player of the Year Hannah Friedrich and Anna Walsh each have an assist. Emily Puricelli has four goals allowed while also recording 18 saves.

The Cards are 3-9 all-time against Saint Louis, but have won three straight dating back to 2010. Prior to the start of the season, before we knew the status of the Louisville offense and looking at the Billikens' 2020 season, this game looked anything but promising. Now, a few games in, Louisville has a strong chance to return home with a win. The offense has been ruthless with their nonstop attack all game against opponents and has provided a cushion to allow a goal or two here and there.

If Louisville can come out attacking early and get on the board before halftime, the aggressive front line should be able to keep Saint Louis on its heels in the second half to relive some pressure from Kouzelos and the back line on defense.

Hailey Van Lith at FIBA 3x3

Louisville women's basketball players love to stay busy and Hailey Van Lith is no exception. The rising sophomore will represent Team USA in the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in Montreal on Friday and Saturday.

Van Lith will be joined by Jordan Reynolds (Tennessee), Breanna Richardson (Mississippi State), and Camille Zimmerman (Columbia).

Team USA is part of Group A and has Friday action against Germany at 1:50p.m., ET, Austria at 3:00p.m., and Netherland at 5:50p.m. The top team from each group receives a bye and advances to the semifinals on Saturday. The second and third place teams will play in the quarterfinals with the winners advancing to the semifinals.

Jordan McNary Joins Morehead State Staff

Morehead State softball announced yesterday that they would be adding Louisville alumna Jordan McNary to their staff. If you've read us over the years, you're probably aware that she's a favorite of the Cardinal Couple staff and we've enjoyed our interaction with her over the yeaars. 

McNary, who was with the Cards from 2013-2017, was a three-year starter in the outfield. Known for her speed, McNary carried a .318 career batting average while recording 140 hits and crossing home plate a whopping 93 times. We often saw "The Governor" beating out throws down the first base line or winding up on second before the catcher had a chance to throw the ball.

"I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity, so I would like to thank Coach Jones and everyone here at Morehead State," said McNary. "Once I got on campus, it was beautiful and I immediately felt at home. To coach at this level has been a goal of mine for a very long time. I'm looking forward to working with the MSU student-athletes and staff. This upcoming softball season will be exciting, and I am glad to be a part of the program."

Louisville has played Morehead State in the past, but the 2022 regular season schedule has not been announced, so we are not sure if we will see McNary in town with the Eagles yet.

We wish Jordan a congratulations and the best of luck in her collegiate coaching career!

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Our coaches speak -- Return to Campus -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

OUR COACHES SPEAK

It has been an eventful last four days here in our city. With the protests and demonstrations capturing the news, we are all seeing things that most of us have never experienced before. In the sports world, when student-athletes experience situations they haven't seen before, it is normal to turn to the coaches on  your squads and discuss the situations and freely engage in dialogue to assess the next step.

Several UofL coaches and student-athletes have come out with thoughts and statements. Let's share them today. 

Jeff Walz

@CoachJeffWalz

Our captains, Dana and Kianna, and I wanted to release the following statement on behalf of our team: Our team had a great discussion on our Zoom call this week. We believe in communication. We address issues, large and small. We don’t think what’s going on is right. We can’t accept a world that isn’t safe for all. We stand with the black community.We will be getting back to campus soon, and we are committed to working together to better our Louisville community with empathy, compassion, and respect for all people. We plan to make a difference through our actions.

@UofLWBB

will be part of the solution. #ONE

We also saw these words from UofL head softball coach Holly Aprile: 

Holly Aprile

@UofL_CoachHolly

·

12h

As a leader of young women it is part of my responsibility to teach love and respect for all people; but “all” people don’t need me right now, our black community does; our athletes and their families do, and I stand with them and vehemently against anyone that condones racism.

Chris Mack UofL head men's basketball coach has posted these thoughts;

Finally, these important words from Louisville Softball alumnae Jordan McNary:

I would be doing myself, my people, and what I believe in a disservice if I didn’t speak up about the recent events. Innocent men and women were murdered. That’s facts. Don’t ask me do I know the whole story. We all know what happened. I do my research and read several articles before I have any serious conversation. No, I don’t know any of them personally, but someone did. Doesn’t mean I can’t be mad about it. People lost their lives and some of you are worried about the wrong things such as background. I don’t care about that, doesn’t mean they deserved to lose their life. Quit discrediting them. The justice system wasn’t meant for black people. We’ve had enough of police brutality and racist encounters. I get it, not all cops are bad and not all white people are racist. But, where are those good ones when they see harm done to blacks? Don’t recorded me, help me! Many of those who are not black are upset about the protest. What happened a couple of weeks ago when y’all were in police officers faces with guns, pushing and shoving, because you couldn’t get a hair cut and sit down at that Mexican restaurants where you don’t like the people yet love their food. Well, y’all were mad we sat, kneeled, and marched. So what do you recommend? Don’t complain without a solution. I don’t agree with the rioting and destroying your community. But, I understand the people don’t feel like we’re being heard and we’re not. A lot of non-blacks are awfully quiet though and that tells just as much as the loud ones making unintelligent/racist statements. I’m watching to see who and what I don’t need to be associated with. Many have showed their true colors and that’s okay. Folks run to social media with outrage about everything else. Y’all were outraged about your guns, Obama, gay rights, and more. Why aren’t you outraged by murder of innocent black people and posting that on social media? That’s why we say black live matter, not all lives. Blacks are the target. White people, I can’t deny you have the power. Speak up when you see wrong doing. Stop being silent. Have those difficult conversations with your black friends. If you don’t use your voice or take some kind of action, you are part of the problem. That goes for any other race as well. If you claim you love me, a young black woman, you shouldn’t be silent. If you claim you love any black person or the culture, you shouldn’t be silent. I’ve faced racism since I was 5 years old and it hasn’t stopped. I was never taught or thought to treat someone different because they were different in any kind of aspect. I continue to love and pray for everyone. If you know me, there is not a hateful bone in my body, just love and compassion. Last thing, thank you to all my friends and others that have spoken up. You are appreciated. You all stay safe and blessed.

CommentJacob Putman

As we go into June, let's all pay heed to the wise words of this leaders on campus and in our society.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS

Today (June 1st) begins Phase I of the return of student-athletes to the Louisville campus

The first steps are the most obvious and the steps most warranted. Checking the athletes health. Testing for the CoronaVirus and any symptoms. For UofL WBB, the returnees from last year's team will be on campus. By last count, that'll be nine players. Norika Konno, without a doubt, has had the longest journey of these nine, coming in from Sendai, Japan.

After testing comes instruction Not basketball instruction, but..

Under the first phase, a limited group of student-athletes totaling about 30 in football, plus additional for men's and women's basketball, would arrive on campus on June 1, with education on protocols to be employed prior to their arrival.  The group would begin testing on June 2, physical examinations on June 4 and be ready to participate in voluntary physical training, not directed by coaching staffs, on June 8.  Three UofL facilities -- the Schnellenberger Football Complex, Trager Center, and Planet Fitness Kueber Center -- would be open with limited occupancy during the first phase.

UofL Athletics administrators and health officials have been planning a phased return to campus for weeks, with goals to:
•    Provide a phased progression into athletic activity to promote mental and physical well-being;
•    Provide a phased approach of opening and use of athletic facilities;
•    Provide a safe environment that allows student athletes to transition into supervised activity to improve their strength and conditioning;  
•    Implement and adhere to operational guidelines to minimize the risk of virus transmission among student-athletes and staff; and 
•    Create an environment that generates a change in personal hygiene practices so that best practices are being used in individual life.

Along with you, we all hope that things go smoothly and our student-athletes are healthy, remain healthy and have a safe and seccure environment 

paulie

xxxxx

SUMMER NEWS AND HOOPS RECRUITING -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

We've all survived the Fourth of July and are back to our regularly scheduled summer. I was planning on writing the Wednesday article before some car troubles delayed me and Paulie was nice enough to cover for me.

Speaking of Paulie, the news is good. He's up to 1/2 mile a day of walking, mostly without a cane. He anticipates driving soon, maybe we should post that well in advance so motorists in our area have a heads-up.

Women's golf, who has been quiet since the season ended, announced five members who were named WGCA All-American Scholars. Congratulations to Shannon Gramley, Lauren Hartlage, Louisville Oxner, Delaney Shah, and Molly Skapik. Remember that grades come before sports!

Paulie mentioned yesterday that Rachel Pease from the cross country team was named as an ACC Sportsmanship Award Winner this year. Rachel made us all proud with the sportsmanship she showed and proved to us all that winning isn't everything. Her actions were so heroic that she deserved a shoutout for a second day in a row.

Unrelated to women's sports, social media has been buzzing about former men's basketball player Russ Smith. A member of the 2013 championship squad has been averaging over 60 points per game in the Chinese League.

Morgan Miller is officially listed on Oklahoma's volleyball roster. We were fortunate to have the six foot lefty for a couple of seasons. M&M was versatile and could play just about any position you threw her in. She transferred out of UofL to move closer to home.

For all of the softball lovers out there (I'm talking to you, Jeff) Jordan McNary has found a passion for coaching. She's been assisting the Louisville Sluggers softball team during their summer play. Louisville has seen many former Sluggers throw on the Cardinal Red and black for their collegiate career. A fantastic player becoming a fantastic coach over there!

Thankfully, we only have a month left of no sports. Women's soccer kicks the season off at Ohio State on August 9th. After that we are thrust into the fall season with numerous sports playing.

Until mid-August comes we can only contain our excitement and hope for continued success this season with all of the teams.

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With the recruiting "live" period starting today for women's college basketball, Jeff Walz and his staff will be busily traversing the nation checking out the future talent.

The EYBL is in town out at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (66 courts!) and the Cardinal staff is checking out that action as well.

Some of the names?

With two recruits already on board for 2018...the Cards will probably be looking for an additional one or two. Aquira DeCosta and Nylassa Smith are two top prospect still remaining out there that haven't committed. The Cards will, of course be watching multiple classes for talent to add to the program.

Happy hunting staff!

Jared