A History of Louisville women's sports Chapter 7 - Lacrosse -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

A History of Louisville Women’s Sports Chapter 7: Lacrosse

Happy Friday and welcome to chapter 7 of our history lessons! Today we look at a team that is barely a decade old. The lacrosse team is one of the newest sports at UofL.

"All the way" Kay -- The best ever to step on the LLS turf.

In 2008, Louisville founded a women’s lacrosse team. They found success right away, winning their inaugural game 21-3 against Bryant. They went on to finish the year 12-4.

The Louisville Lacrosse Stadium (LLS) was constructed specifically for the lacrosse team, making it one of the few lacrosse-only facilities in the country. Many schools use a multi-purpose field that has served host to other sports such as track and field, field hockey and soccer. It is an all-turf field with bleacher seating. A press box was added a few years ago.

Louisville has faced 48 opponents in program history. They hold a winning record against 33 teams and are tied with one.

Kellie Young was the first of two coaches in program history. During her 10-year run she had one losing season. The Cards saw Top 10 rankings on several occasions and were a threat in a strong Big East Conference. Young oversaw the transition to the ACC. The AAC does not field women’s lacrosse so the Cards went straight from the Big East to the ACC. Young was relieved of her duties following the 2017 season due to an investigation regarding mistreatment of players.

Scott Teeter came to Louisville in 2018 and has been the head coach for two seasons. Teeter game from Canisius and was head coach of the Canadian National Team. He has spent the last two seasons focused on rebuilding a program that lost over half of its roster. He is set to start season three during the spring of 2020.

This past season saw a couple program scoring records broken. Tessa Chad set records with most goals scored in a game, most goals scored in a single half and most goals scored in a season.

Another big time player was Kaylin Morissette. She is now an assistant coach, making her the first former player to become a coach at Louisville lacrosse. She also played for and coached with Teeter during some Canisius and CNT days. Morissette dominates the record sheet in ground balls and is high on the all-time scoring list.

The pride of Lakeville, MN -- Hannah Koloski

Bergan Foley, Faye Brust and Hannah Koloski also find themselves high on several record sheets in terms of scoring. Monica Negron was a key defender for Louisville Lax from 2011-14, garnered several Big East honors and is still on campus as an assistant director for student-athlete leadership and development. She also serves as a "spotter" for home lacrosse games. 

Lacrosse games are free admission and we should see a few of them make it on TV on the new ACC Network next spring. You can often find many of us at Cardinal Couple out at the LLS covering our lax team.

RADIO

The A-team will be back in the studio Saturday for another episode of The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour.

Come join us at 11 a.m.-- locally on on WCHQ 100.9 FM, or wtch us on Facebook Live. You can download the WCHQ app or listen live at the station website  wchqfm.com. Paulie has a quiz planned for the "knuckleheads" that you can play along with and the boys have been encouraging me to bring in the euphonium and deliver a song or two.  

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

Louisville women's basketball, Young, Durr and Donations -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LACROSSE

Side view of the Lacrosse Press Box

As Case covered in yesterday's article, Kellie Young has been relieved of her duties as the head coach for the UofL Lacrosse squad. I believe Case covered it well and I have little to add to the situation due to my lack of familiarity with the coaching staff and the entirety of the situation. I also thought Paulie made his points loud and clear and if you haven't read Tuesday's article yet, I highly recommend you do. 

I will say this. If the accusations about Coach Young are true, then it is in the best interest of the University to part ways with her despite her success with the program. 

Also, what is up with the University paying her legal counsel? Craig Dilfer, who is representing Young, is getting paid by UofL. Sports Information Director Kenny Klein relayed the message that Dilfer will continue to be paid by UofL because he represents the University on the case and not Young personally. UofL expects that Young will cooperate with the legal matter. 

Let's recap. Young is relieved of duty. Young gets legal counsel. UofL is paying the legal counsel because they say he represents them and not just her. I'm no lawyer, but doesn't this seem just a wee bit strange? As Paulie mentioned on his Wednesday morning SPORTS SHORTS segment on WCHQ 100.9 FM -- where's Matlock? Perry Mason? William Shatner? My Cousin Vinny? 

I agree with Paulie. I'd probably want my own legal counsel that wasn't being paid the plaintiff. 

We're far from the end-point resolution in the Young matter.

In the meantime, what's left of the Lacrosse roster waits for a new leader and direction. 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

With women's basketball just two days away, we see more news every day about Jeff's Walz's squad. The latest includes Asia Durr and her incredible guard skills. She has been named to the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List. The annual honor in its inaugural year recognizes the top shooting guard in women's college basketball. 

There isn't a better player in WBB college hoops right now to win the award. Durr is coming off a record-breaking season as a sophomore and is in a perfect position to continue breaking records. She's already in the 1,000 point club and owns the Cardinal women's record for 119 three-pointers in one season. She's also on a streak of 39 straight games with a made "THREEEE!" and we hope she continues the school record this season. Expect great things this year out of Asia, including -- hopefully -- a few national awards. This team has a goal of reaching The Final Four in Columbus and getting UofL their first National Championship in women's basketball. Durr will be essential in helping them acheive this goal. Night, night! 

DONATION MONTH

My first time contributing to Cardinal Couple was when I appeared on THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR as a guest in the spring of 2016. I started joining them full-time earlier this year on radio with the "A-Team" on Saturdays when I'm not busy turning 20's into 5's and 10's at the bank. When Paulie asked if I would be interested in doing a weekly article, I gratefully accepted the request. 

Beside my bold predictions and weekly write ups for the site, I've been seen at numerous women's athletic events with a camera. Sometimes I catch a good play. Sometimes I catch a funny face from a player. Sometimes I forget to take the lens cap off and end up with a blank photo. 

You sent money to who, Edith? Jeez...

I do enjoy being a part of Cardinal Couple and appearing on THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR on my free Saturdays down in the basement at WCHQ 100.9 FM. The generous donations we receive from our friends, fans and followers go a long way and help keep CARDINAL COUPLE running. The site does have two sponsors (Sportsmen's Supper Club and Wissing Wealth Management) who we gratefully acknowledge and thank, but the main source of funding is from you -- the readers. 

I'm glad to be a part of it all but it is YOU that is Cardinal Couple and something we never forget. Please consider helping us out with a donation. 


PANERA CARD

The winner of the first Panera Card drawing is Blue Lou. The drawing was done by putting the 10 names in a cup and having Paulie's friendly next door neighbor pull one out. Blue Lou IS NOT Paulie's next door neighbor. 

Paulie sends this brief bio on him: 

Lou's been a life-long Cardinal fan that moved from New Albany to Georgetown, KY several years ago for work. He deals with UK fans constantly, which makes him blue and despondent. Lou likes to tailgate for Cards and Bengals football, go to Keeneland and enjoys camping with his girlfriend. 

Congrats, Lou! We will start another contest for another $20 Panera Card. Look for the mystery picture and correctly identify it in the comments section. Paulie says there will be another entry chance in Thursday's column and, as he says, "It don't cost ya nuthin". The first correct response we receive gets an entry in the drawing! 


JARED ANDERSON

Kellie Young Out -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Lacrosse Coach Relieved of Duties

Vince Tyra made his first personnel decision as interim athletic director yesterday as Kellie Young was removed from her position as Louisville's lacrosse coach. The move comes as a bit of a surprise due to the timing. Louisville just completed their fall schedule on Saturday and hosted a community event on the same day. The Cards were set to begin the spring season with a promising freshman class and a strong returning group looking to avenge a first round tournament loss last season. Kellie Young had recently brought a former Cardinal favorite in Faye Brust back as an assistant coach.

To many around the program, though, this firing as not as surprising or abrupt as it may seem on the surface. As many other outlets have reported, rumors of abusive behavior have been numerous, beginning in 2013. Louisville stood behind Young at the time, but the rumors didn't stop. After a fairly normal number of transfers recently, the floodgates opened after this past season ended. After two more transfers this past week, Louisville's roster contains only 13 players from last year's 28 player team. Only four departing players were graduating seniors. For those counting at home, that's 11 transfers out of a program in a single season. That is what many would call an abnormal number.

While it is true that Louisville Lacrosse has seen new heights under Kellie Young, it is undeniable
that she has brought issues to the program as well. In a time of heightened awareness about college coach misbehavior of all kinds, both on a national scale and here at UofL, the whispers regarding Young's coaching tactics have become a bit too loud to ignore. Louisville is in a very precarious position. The University leadership is in flux, as is that of the athletic program. A prominent coach has just been released for failure to appropriately monitor his program at the very least. All eyes are on another prominent coach for the circumstances which returned him to Louisville. Universities all over are answering for the inappropriate behavior of coaches and players in all sports. In short, this was a move that needed to be made, and it could be put off no longer.

The lacrosse team still needs our support. While not a midseason firing, the timing of this change will still be awkward for the players. The assistants may or may not stay in their positions. I hope they are able. The Cards, while losing a large portion of last year's team, could still be strong performers this year. They showed out well during the fall session and have been on the brink of a major breakthrough for quite some time. Whether they use this event as a motivator or as a reason to be completely deflated may come down to how the UofL community rallies around them. Change is here for the Louisville lacrosse team, and for many, change is good.

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(Editor note) Case and I traded article days this week so I could report on field Hockey. Little did we know the Lacrosse situation would fall so soon. He asked me if I wanted the article. I encouraged him to do it. Case is a fine writer and there are only a few I would trust with the tough situation. 

I had to pass on the article. I've followed the program closely since Young arrived. I've done countless interviews with Kellie, her players and many articles over the years. Maybe I feel a little too close to the program to write about it just yet. We developed what I call a "chat-ability" where the conversations flowed free and easy and she benignly tolerated my goofiness I display with the players in interviews at times.  I was fully in Kelly's corner until the end of last season. Then, with the events that occurred and continued to occur...I had to take a step back and go to a neutral corner. 

I just have to ask..."Why, Kellie...why?"  These are student-athletes. They are human beings. These girls have emotions, feelings and vulnerability. Discipline and standards for players to follow are one thing. 

But... 

Alleged verbal and physical abuse, purported tyranny under the guise of team building, disgruntled players and multiple transfers, upset parents, lawsuits, claims of inadequate medical care and hazing are quite another thing and totally unacceptable in college athletics...as well in life.  

Does anyone else needs to go? How much did the administrators, previous sports information directors of the sport, staff and assistants contribute, stifle, hold back on, know or ignore? Or, were they totally unaware also? 

I feel for the players. Current and former. Much more than for the exiled coach...if these allegations are true. 

 Heal, girls.  The UofL fan base IS behind you. 

And...I've nearly written an article in itself here.  These were thoughts on my mind this morning, though, as I read Case's excellent work this morning. 

-Paulie

Cardinal Couple Donation Month

Today is the final day to get an entry in for
this Panera Card drawing. First to identify
these guys is entered. (Note, it is not me,
Case, Jeff and Jared...) 

I put today's donation reminder at the end because I felt the Kellie Young piece was more important as the lead. You, the readers, come to Cardinal Couple for news and a different viewpoint. Even though we weren't the first to break this news, we thank all of you that may come to share your thoughts and feelings on the matter in the comments section. Your comments and engagement in the Cardinal Couple community is what makes this site what it is. We are unable to do this without your support. The donations and pledges that have already been made are amazing and we are extremely thankful for them. Remember that Cardinal Couple is a non-profit, and your donations will go to further our goals, not to fatten our pockets. Please continue to support as you can, and remember that you are Cardinal Couple.

(Paulie....We are up to $550 in received donations with more promised and on the way. A great start but not where we need to be. Thank you to those who have sent, will send and are thinking of sending.) 

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

CARDINAL COUPLE...Parts I and II Today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PART I -- Radio and Anthems

We'll be coming at you in two parts today. 

I have an interview with Coach Kellie Young (Lacrosse) later this morning. I'll be posting that later...check back.


For the now, I'm readying myself for my Tuesday Morning chat with Howie Lindsey. WE review the weekend in sports....mostly, but not limited to, women's sports. Howie brings me on each week and it's worth getting up a little early for.

We air around 7:40 something and I get anywhere from 5-10 minutes. It's always a fun time and I'm glad that we can get a little information out there about how the UofL women are doing. You can listen at 790 WKRD or on the IHeart app. 

He may bring up the National Anthem controversy. I have mixed feelings about it. How do you feel about it? Give us your take in the comments section. Would you "take a knee"? How do you feel about that? 

We'll be back later this morning. Go out and get something done. Make breakfast. Go to work. Hit the gym or go to class in the meantime. Be productive...but if you need that extra rest or sleep, don't deprive your body. After all, it's the only one you'll get issued.

Listen here!   Louisville First with Howie Lindsey


PART II -- THE KELLIE YOUNG INTERVIEW

(THERE IS A LINK TO THE FULL INTERVIEW AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE) 

PRE-PRESS BOX LOOK

One of the most beautiful sites on the Belknap Campus is the view from Kellie Young's office. On a bright, sunny Tuesday morning I entered that office a little before 9 a.m. and just had to stop and revel in it a few seconds before Coach and I "got down to it". 

A sun splashed green, artificial turf...illuminated and the unmistakable Louie the Cardinal Bird logo at midfield. A new turf, and new Bird. Absolutely beautiful. In the distance, the South Side of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the renovation cranes and stark, steel beams.

I have seen some wonderful things out of this window. On a cold and blustery day...former LAX great Nikki Boltja, by herself in an inch or two of snow...shooting a bag of Lacrosse ball at the north net. Going to gather those shots and repeating the process. The construction of the Press Box and spoofingly suggesting they name it The Cardinal Couple Memorial Press Box...since, prior to it, it seemed like Worldwide and I were the only two media representatives that regularly followed the squad. Sitting in the bleachers wth parents and Jeff's mom. I saw in my mind's eye Hannah Koloski running the field and taking passes from whomever she could get to go out there with her and firing them on the run at that north net first and then sprinting the length of the field to shoot and the south net. 

These eyes have seen many great, and a few tragic, things on that field. Upset wins. Faye Brust going down, in obvious knee pain and trying to return in the second half but unable.

I hope to see many more things there...and Faye's back! (We'll get to that....yes, the interview. Pardon me for waxing nostalgic a few paragraphs.)

Coach Young and I began our interview talking about fall practice. The squad, with nine freshmen, has been working very hard the last couple of weeks and she is seeing some great things from the newbies and the returnees. Of particular note...Lexie Ball at goalie and the freshmen Blalock twins. Seems they know a thing or two about face-off control at midfield. 

It's a big weekend for LAX. They'll face Marquette, Vandy and the alums on Saturday the 30th. Maybe a chance to hop over and see how they look while your tailgating at Football. Coach is excited about the chance to see the girls go up against some very talented competition. 

Nine freshmen in all out there. We also caught up on last year's standouts Hannah Koloski and Steph McNamara. Both are still on campus and pursuing academic and career training. We saw Steph at the recent Field Hockey game. Coach says she's seen her once, that Steph still has a hard time going back into the complex without getting quite emotional. That blur that flew past me as I walked from the lot to the Little Yum must have been Hannah. I can only assume she is preparing for the race against Jaz Jones, Jordan McNary and Minnie Mink to determine "the Queen of Speed" title. 

She's back! Cardinal lacrosse great Faye Brust is an assistant coach for Lacrosse. She embodies the spirit and culture that Young has for the program and she knows a couple of things about scoring as well. I chatted with "Fabian" very briefly after my interview with Kellie. Same ol' Faye...big grin and ready to roll. She was at Furman as an assistant when she got the call...and even brought a couple of grads from the Palladins program who have a year of eligibility left and are working in quite well with the chemistry of the squad. 

Kellie and I also touched on Sarah Blaylock's nice award during her senior year of high school and Elise Koehl's unique summer experience in Vietnam. Coach also provided her view on the National Anthem current controversy and....we have to add her to the list of those coaches without a GOLF CART! We discussed that, although she did mention that WBB has been nice enough to take her a few places in theirs. 

I learned (with a sigh of relief) that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

I'll have to double my efforts to get these nice ladies rides. I may take a knee in front of Kenny or Jurich's office. A short one...my tendinitis and bursitis won't let me stay down there long. The "GET WHEELS FOR THE COACHES" appeal is now gaining momentum.  

We learned with a sigh of relief that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

Name this coach for an entry in our $20 Panera
giveaway. Leave answer in comments section.

All too soon, our time was over. We said our goodbyes, lamented the fact that we didn't put asst. S.I.D. Nick Evans asleep during the eight minutes (he sat in with us) and let coach get to her 9:30 meeting. Nick showed me where the stairwell by Kellie's lobby went...it's a nice shortcut to the first floor that bypasses the basketball offices and puts you by the entrance to the practice court. You go through a few hallways and twists and turns...but it's functional.



They probably never should have given me a new route to plot and consider...

LINK to interview



FINALLY...

This result in from Paulie vs. the D.P.S. 

FINAL
D.P.S. 1
Paulie 0

I stopped by the D.P.S. office today after the interview and plunked down my $100 for a four-year handicap sticker. (They didn't know how much it would cost next year). IT DID NOT COME OUT OF CARDINAL COUPLE FUNDING...I shouldered the expense my-own-damn-self. 

After speaking with a few people who are paying $300 a year, I figured it was maybe my best option. 

Gotta hand it those those friendly robots in the D.P.S. office. No emotion, thank you or chatter....just give me your name, your show me your driver's license and fork over the $100. 

Or...as the late, great Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd sang...

"I got your drinkin' money...tune up your dobro." 

Guess I'll do THE SAFETY DANCE

PAULIE INTERVIEW WITH KELLIE YOUNG.


Paulie
xxxxx

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. 


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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 loses to NC State...Lacrosse today...Moore to USC -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS CRUMBLE IN QUARTERFINALS TO PACK


Lack-a-bat-ities picked a rotten time to reappear in the Louisville softball dugout.

Louisville fell to NC state in the opening round of the ACC Tournament 5-2 yesterday in Chapel Hill, NC. to the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Cards could only muster two runs and six hits against Pack pitcher Peyton Silverman...while allowing NC State to touch starter Megan Hensley for four runs on nine hits and reliever Maryssa Becker for a run and five hits. 

The Pack put up a run in the first inning on the Cards and added another to go up 2-0 in the third inning. Louisville got one back, largely due to the efforts of Jordan McNary, who reached on a fielder's choice and then went from first to home on Morgan Meyer's bunt and a throwing error.

Things got worse for UofL in the top of the fifth. NC State pieced together five hits and a Cardinal fielding error contributed to three runs and a 5-1 lead. "Mike" Szydlowski tried to get the Cards back into the contest with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth...but the Cards could not piece anything together offensively in the final two innings and took a 5-2 loss. 

Sandy Pearsall on the loss: 

"I felt like our team didn't play defense toward the end and we were trying to hit it out of the park instead of doing what we did last weekend against them, which was hit the shots that we needed to hit, just keep the ball in their outfield and we didn't do that well today." 

The Cards now await their fate for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Selection Show will be on Sunday, May 14th. at 10 p.m. on ESPN 2. 64 teams will be selected. The guess here is that Louisville will be picked to go to one of 16 regional sites...where action will take place May 19-21. 


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LACROSSE BEGINS NCAA TOURNAMENT TONIGHT

The Louisville Lacrosse squad faces James Madison tonight at 6 p.m. at Penn State's field in first round NCAA action. It's the fourth consecutive NCAA appearance for Kellie Young's squad. 

The Cards and Dukes have never met in Lacrosse. Young was the head coach at JMU before accepting the Louisville job in 2006. 

The #18 ranked LaxCards will seek their first-ever NCAA Tournament win against a #16 James Madison that prides themselves on presenting a stingy defense. The Dukes (13-6) allow just 8.58 goals per contest...which ranks eighth nationally. They won the CAA title with wins over Delaware and Elon...who both made the tournament as well. 

Louisville (11-7) will look their own defensive stopper, goalie Brittany Read..who allows just 9.58 goals per game. She was the ACC Defender of the Year. On the attack, senior Hannah Koloski leads a talented group of scorers with 60 goals. Sophomore Meghan Siverson complied 52 scores on the season. 


You can catch the action on the Penn State athletics website live stream. Link below: 

LOUISVILLE VS JAMES MADISON



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MOORE JOINING MOORE AT USC. 

Reports on Twitter from several sources indicate that former Cardinal WBB player Mariya Moore will be joining her sister Minyon Moore at USC. 

There was speculation a few weeks ago that Minyon would be leaving USC and Mariya did make a visit to Cal recently...but it now looks like the sisters will be reunited on the Trojan campus. Mariya would have to sit a season before playing her senior year with Minyon...who would be a junior then. 

The move to Los Angeles for Mariya makes it possible for her parents to have the chance to see both girls play together and more frequently. The drive from Richmond, CA to L.A. is about five hours down I-5 and is also serviced by Amtrak. 

Minyon Moore‏ @MinyonMoore

It's always been a dream of mine to play basketball with my sister again. Congrats on your commitment to USC! #weback @Riyabelikeee

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! 


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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
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LACROSSE GETS NCAA BID, SOFTBALL IN ACC TOURNEY AND SHONI -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LAX CARDS HEADING TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

For whatever nervousness that might have been present prior to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Selection Show, it quickly dissipated when Louisville was announced as a participant fairly early in the broadcast Sunday night.  

The LaxCards are headed to Happy Valley and the Penn State campus to begin their NCAA quest. They'll face James Madison first on Friday, May 12th. in University Park...the winner to face #4 seed Penn State on Sunday. 

Although the two squads have never met, Louisville head coach Kellie Young arrived at Louisville 10 years ago to take the head coaching job after being the head coach at James Madison. It would be another first if the Cards advanced...they have never played Penn State either. 

Coach Young on the selection: 

This selection is one of the most proud moments in my coaching career. This team and these players have worked every day to move us forward and make it clear that we are hear to stay. Now it is a new season and time to prove our footing on the national scene. 

It is the fourth consecutive year the the LaxCards have made the tournament. Louisville received one of the 13 at-large bids...probably due to the win over Syracuse near the end of the season. The two schools are joined in the 26-team tournament field by four other ACC participants...Virginia, #2 seed North Carolina, Boston College and Notre Dame. 

We'll have more on this Friday. 




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SOFTBALL SWEEPS NC STATE, GETS #2 SEED FOR ACC TOURNEY

Louisville Softball concluded their weekend stay in Raleigh, NC Sunday with a 7-0 whitewash of the Wolfpack. Maryssa Becker provided three hits, drove in three runs and got the save inside the circle for Louisville (31-18, 14-8).  

The Cards got all they needed in the first when Morgan Meyer singled to start the game and scored on a Becker single. In the third inning, Louisville added two more runs..."Mike" Alison Szydlowski and Jordan McNary singled and came home on a Becker double. 

Becker moved from DH to pitcher in the fourth when the Wolfpack loaded the bases on starter Megan Hensley with one out. The Oregonian senior proceeded to strike out the next two batters to get the Cards out of danger. 

Nicole Pufahl made it 4-0 with a bomb to left center in the fourth. The Cards added three more in the sixth...Jenna Jordan's two run fence-clearer and a Pufahl single that got pinch-runner Michala Riggle to the plate. 

The win, coupled with a Boston College loss to Notre Dame, propelled Louisville to a second place finish in the league. They'll begin the ACC Tournament against North Carolina State on Thursday...5 p.m. first pitch scheduled at Anderson Stadium on the North Carolina campus. 


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SHONI WILL SIT FOR THE 2017 WNBA SEASON

Shoni Schimmel will be sitting out the 2017 WNBA season. 

"I'm very grateful to the New York Liberty for allowing me to take this season to deal with some personal issues. I look forward to rejoining them next year." 

Schimmel began her career at Atlanta and was selected for the WNBA All-Star game where she received the MVP award. A season of ups-and-downs that first year for her

The success she had in producing the occasional excellent game came less often in her second season with the Dream. Schimmel’s points, assists, and win shares per 48 minutes all dropped; she still went for 7.6 points, 2.5 boards, and 3.2 assists, earning her a second-straight All-Star Game appearance. The second nod from the fans was not enough for Atlanta, though, which traded Shoni to the Liberty for a second-round pick at the end of the season, reportedly in part because Schimmel appeared for training camp and games during the regular season out of shape.

Schimmel looked to be in fine condition this past season, but she struggled to earn minutes or produce on the court with the Liberty, coming off the bench to play in 17 games before a concussion sidelined her for the remainder of the season. She finished the season averaging 2.1 points and 0.6 assists per contest.

However it turns out for Shoni, we hope it is for the best and we see her back on the court with that flash and style we came to love. 

paulie