Two losses, a third and a win on Sunday -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Another busy Sunday for UofL women's sports, with four events at four different places for women's soccer, women's golf, field hockey and volleyball. Some good results, some not-so-good. We'll start with the win. 


WSOC DEFEATS NC STATE 2-1

Defense wins games and it proved true yesterday in Raleigh, NC as the Louisville women's soccer team picked up a huge win over the NC State Wolfpack 2-1.

Emina Ekic produced the second goal of the day for Karen Ferguson Dayes' squad in the 50th minute of action and the defense protected the two goal advantage by allowing just one Wolfpack score in the final 40 minutes to send Louisville to a 12-4, 6-3 record.

Points gained right now are worth their weight in goal in the ACC and the Cards gathered three to keep them tied for third place in the conference and assure that they would be participating in the ACC Tournament in November. Wins on the road a definite bonus, too.  At 18 points, they are tied with Virginia and face one remaining regular season test, when Virginia Tech comes to town Thursday night for ACC action in Lynn Stadium. 

The Cards grabbed a lead they would never relinquish in the 29th. 
minute of the first half on a corner play. Allison Whitfield sent the in-bounds kick into the box and Maisie Whitsett headed the ball into the net. 

After the second goal, where Ekic rebounded a deflected Nadage L'Esperance shot on goal back into the net, Louisville withstood a Wolfpack score in the 66th. minute and got the "W"....keeping the home team out of the net for the final 24 minutes.  

The Cards had a 9-5 shot advantage in the match but N.C. State held a 4-2 corner kick edge. 

The Cards are 5-3 on the road this season and a stellar 7-1 in Lynn. 

Roll out for action Thursday night for the Cards final home appearance of 2018! 





VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN FOUR TO PITTSBURGH

After being down 2-0 in sets, the Cardinal Volleyball squad battled back to take set three in Pittsburgh and held a 16-6 lead in set four before losing that ten point lead, the set and the match to the league-leading Panthers Sunday afternoon. Pitt gets the 22-25, 26-24, 28-26, 20-25 win to grab sole possession of the top of the ACC standings. 

A Cardinal team that looked good in stretches during the first two sets but couldn't quite grab the ultimate advantage or get the win. Louisville regrouped in the third set and won a tightly contested contest by two. Bonus Volleyball in that one, just like in the second set. 

It certainly looked like the match was headed to a five set affair after the Cards jumped out 8-2 and pushed that to 16-6 advantage in set four. Then, the proverbial wheels fell off the Cardinal Express and Pitt used a 12-0 run to get back into the contest and take a 18-16 lead. The Panthers also grabbed seven of the final 11 points to put the Cards away an take game four and the match. 


No doubt about it, # 6 ranked Pitt is a VERY GOOD team that found success with the front line blocking and the hard-hitting foursome of  Layne Van Buskirk, Stephanie Williams, Kayla Lund and Nina Markewycz...who had a combined 50 of the 55 Pitt kills. The Cards got double-digit kills out of Amanda Green  (16) and Melanie McHenry (15) but it wasn't enough to propel Louisville to victory. 

The Cards also got Jasmine Bennett back onto the hardwood in the Fitzgerald Field House for her first action in three weeks and she looked healed from the abdominal injury that had her sidelined. 

Tough watching that fourth set failure on the ACC Network Extra. You could see the Pitt (22-0, 10-0) momentum building and the Louisville players were seemingly powerless to stop it. It had to be even tougher for our "A Team" correspondent Worldwide Jeff McAdams, who made the six hour trek to Steel City to view it live. 

The Cards come back to the friendly confines of Cardinal Arena for Friday night action against Boston College. With the "L" Louisville drops into a tie for second place in the ACC with Fla.State. The 'Noles will visit Louisville during the four game home stand coming up, along with the mentioned Eagles, Syracuse and Miami, which will close out October and open November action. A tough stretch against the top teams in the ACC. Thank goodness it is at home where the Cards are 8-1 this season.


The 10 match win streak for Louisville comes to an end on an afternoon that got good news with the return of Bennett but a blow with the "L" to arch-rival Pitt...


ALBANY DOWNS LOUISVILLE FIELD HOCKEY 1-0


After a dramatic, double over-time 3-2 win at Syracuse on Friday, one would have thought that the UofL Field Hockey squad would have been riding a bit of momentum in the Sunday afternoon contest against the Albany Great Danes in Albany, NY. 

That wasn't the case, though, as the #10 Cards Field Hockey squad suffered a 1-0 loss to #22 Albany at the Danes home field. On the Great Danes Senior Day, and with the temperature reaching 65 degrees, it was the Cards who went cold on offense, with no goals and allowing the game decider 50 minutes into the 70 minute contest. 

Justine Sowry's remarks: 

"Albany came ready to play. They were stronger than us on the ball and on the tackles. Unfortunately, we were unable to get any rhythm  established because of our fundamentals being off and our lack of connection between our lines." 

Louisville's best chance at getting the tying goal came with five minutes left in the contest when a Meche Pastor shot was blocked at the goal and Bethany Russ's follow up bounced off the goal-post. When we talk of games and plays being decided by mere inches...this is a prime example. 

Ayeshia McFerran with three saves in goal-keep. The Great Danes held a 7-6 shot advantage. UofL drops to 12-5 on the season and Albany improves to 12-3.

The Cards end the regular season with a trip to Kent State for Golden Flashes action on Sunday, October 28th. After that, Louisville plays in the first round of the ACC Tournament where they'll be the #3 seed and will face #6 seed Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov 1st. at 4 p.m. 



GOLF FINISHES THIRD AT CARDINAL COUPLE

On a cool and slightly windy day at the UofL Golf Club, the chip and putt Cards climbed from sixth place to third in final day action Sundayin the Cardinal Cup Tournament. Gone were the high velocity winds from Saturday that blasted the Louisville and Simpsonville area and played havoc with the stroke counts. The Cards scores improved without Mother Nature blowing in from the west. 

Setting the pace for UofL was Irish freshman from Cork County Mairead Martin, who finished tied for sixth with a 219 three round total. Linage of the Sykes' genealogy roots also goes back to Cork County.

Did you know "Sikes" or "Sykes" is a Gaelic word for a small stream or creek?  No wonder we ended up in Fern Creek... 


TOP FIVE CARDS: 

Mairead Martin         70-77-72  = 219
Lauren Hartlage       71-76-73 = 220
Lauren Thibodeau    73-79-70 = 222
Delaney Shah           77-75-71 =  223
Linda Trockel           76-77-71 =  224


Louisville heads to Atlanta next, where they'll tee it up starting Friday in the Alexa Stirling Women's Intercollegiate tournament.  



paulie
xxxxx




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Soccer ties NC State...Volleyball beats BC...Field Hockey readies for BC -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WSOC, PACK battle to two-overtime tie. 

Yep, you guessed it. If it's Louisville women's soccer...there's probably going to be extra time on the field and a 25% chance of a tie. Such was the case last night in Lynn Stadium...where the #21 Louisville Cardinals women's soccer squad went 110 minutes against the #24 North Carolina State Wolfpack and finished tied at 1-1. 

Both teams scored within less than a minute of each other at the start of the second half. The Wolfpack got the first tally 4:24 into play when Kristina Schuster found a gap in the Cardinal back line and send a rocket past Louisville goalie Taylor Bucklin to the top right corner of the net. 54 seconds later, the Cards retaliated on corner kick opportunity..."K.B" (Inger Katrine Bjerke) "using her head" to take a Brooklyn Rivers in-bounds kick and find the back of the net. 

The Cards narrowly missed a chance to get a second goal in the 81st minute-mark...a Rivers inbounds on a corner kick found Niamh Nelson but her header bounced off the top crossbar and back onto the field...where the Pack was able to make the clear. 

Neither squad was able to get the game winner in the double overtime format...the Cards had a clutch save from Bucklin in the final minute of the first overtime and UofL had back-to-back chances on corner kicks in the second overtime but were unable to get a shot off on goal. 

The Cards (7-3-3, 2-1-2) took 21 shots in the match...nine of them on goal and NC State attempted 21 shots...ten of those on goal. Bucklin finished with nive saves between the pipes. 

The home stand ends Sunday when #15 Clemson comes to Lynn for a 1 p.m. contest. We did notice Cardinal WBB players Briahanna Jackson, Kylee Shook and Bionca Dunham in attendance last night, cheering on the Kickin' Cards. (We didn't see Deb Antonelli but it's just a matter of time until she resurfaces...) 


Paulie caught up with Louisville head coach Karen Ferguson Dayes and Bjerke after the game. You can hear those comments below:  

LINK: INTERVIEW WITH KAREN FERGUSON DAYES

LINK: POST GAME INGER KATRINE BJERKE


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VOLLEYBALL RALLIES ON ROAD TO BEAT BOSTON COLLEGE

After losing the third set 25-14 to the Eagles...one wondered if the Cards could break their four game losing streak...on the road and against a scrappy Boston College squad. Louisville responded in fine fashion, though...squeaking out a 26-24 fourth set and taking the final set 15-12 in chestnut Hill. 

Tess Clark provided a strong punch for Anne Kordes' squad...the middle-blocker getting 16 kills and five blocks. The "J&J" juggernaut...Jasmine Bennett and Janelle Jenkins also figured heavily in the win...with 18 and 14 kills respectively. Molly Sauer put in a very big effort with consistent passing, big serves and gutty defense. 



Anne Kordes was effusive in her praise for her squad: 

"That win felt fantastic. It was similar to so many of last year's wins...where we accomplished so much relying on a team effort. Everyone brought something to the floor at different times."

After losing the first set 23-25, the Wide Netters from the Ville roared back for a 25-18 win. After the break, Boston College dominated the third set 25-14 and jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set. The Cards got it back to an 11-11 tie but found themselves faced with a 21-23 deficit late. Tied at 24, Louisville benefited from a BC error and Molly Sauer's service ace gave Louisville the come-from-behind win. 

UofL jumped out to an commanding 11-5 lead in the final set but had to hold off a determined Eagles effort to get the 15-13 win. At 13-12, kills from Melanie McHenry and Tess Clark gave the Cards the three-point victory. 

Louisville (6-9, 1-4) gets their first ACC win of the season and will head to Syracuse next for a 1 p.m. match against the Orange on Sunday.


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TOP 15 MATCH TONIGHT IN TRAGER IN LOUISVILLE VS BC

"Wait a second, Skipper. Didn't Louisville
just play Boston College?" 

A different group of Eagles fly into Trager Stadium tonight...these being the Field Hockey variety for Boston College as the #8 Cards take to the pitch for a 6 p.m. affair in ACC action.

Don't let the 4-6 record for the Bostonians fool you. They've been competitive in each game this season and do own wins against #18 Stanford and #3 North Carolina this year. They're currently on a three game slide...but the competition has been stout with contests against top 25 foes Virginia, UMass and Duke. 


Louisville (10-2) is in the middle of a five game home-stand...defeating Iowa 2-1 last Sunday.  

The teams last met in Chestnut Hill last October...the Cards getting a 3-2 come-from-behind win. Current Cardinals Stephanie Byrne and Nicole Woods scored late goals to propel the Cards to that victory. Both of those players, in addition to leading scorer Minout Mink and goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran will be counted on for big performances tonight. 

It's FRIENDS OF JACKLYN night at Trager, so get out and help support this very worthy cause from an organization that promotes improving the quality of life for children with brain tumors and other childhood cancer by pairing them with a sports team. 

If you can't make it, the contest will be shown on the ACC Network Extra...the indefatigable and eloquent Sean Moth handling play-by-play.


paulie
xxxxx  

WBB holds first Fall practice...WSOC prepares for NC State tonight -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

2 1/2 HOUR PRACTICE KICKS OFF WBB CAMPAIGN

We're excited about the season, how
bout you?" 

Jeff Walz and his coaching staff took the 15 players on the University of Louisville women's basketball team through a fast-paced practice Wednesday in Cardinal Arena...the first of the pre-season practices that will ultimately lead to the season opener at UT Martin on Friday, November 11th. 

37 days to work on rebounding, moves in the paint, shooting, defense and chemistry. Myisha Hines-Allen knows the drill: 

"Being pre-season ranked second, we know that we have to go hard. We have that target on our back. Teams are going to want to beat us. Last year, we had a target but it wasn't as big as this. We have to go out at the beginning and show teams that we deserved to be ranked #2 in the country." 

A target that has eight returning players from the 26-8 squad from 2015-16 that went 15-1 in the ACC. Add in six freshmen and a fifth-year player and the Cards will be looking to dodge the bullets early on. 

Fifth-year Taylor Johnson commented on the first day: 

" Practice today went really well. We did a lot of scrimmaging and worked on our defense. There was a lot of up and down because Coach [Walz] wants us to play a really fast-paced game. I saw a lot of good things today." 

Will Paulie grow the beard back this winter? Too early to tell...

And, it is a roster that appears to be built for speed and transition. It is way too early in the process to start pointing out spectacular players and sequences...so we'll skip over that and get to the heart of the matter. 

Chemistry. Not the chemistry that some of the student-athletes may take as a class with lab coats and test tubes...but the chemistry that exists between the players. The unified goal of 15 individuals. Being on the same page and in the same direction. 

Chemistry thwarted this team early last season and the first two weeks of the season and the 1-4 start brought that out. It is a lesson that the "mad scientist" learned well from and he's made this year's lesson plan and directive quite clear. 

"Go hard 100% of the time. That's how you will earn playing time." 

She'll be keeping tabs on WBB in Aussie-land

A quite simple and singular goal. Outwork the opponent. You'll win nine times out of ten if you do. You can see early signs of it. Spirited one-on-one battles in drills. The rapid responses to instructions. 

I have no idea who will start or finish games this year for the Cards WBB squad. I do know that whoever it is...and it will probably vary a bit in the early going I would imagine...won't be out there on reputation or prior statistics. It will be because of the work ethic. 

37 days to establish, show and convince...before they start keeping score and stats. Not for the timid, lackadaisical or negative. Plenty of people waiting to get their chance in the limelight. It is battle, survival and...at the same time...team-bonding, consistency and growth. 

Things we know, based on the first day. Jazmine Jones is as fast and athletic as advertised. Myisha Hines-Allen can make shots. Jessica Laemmle has one speed...full throttle. Cortnee Walton is still deadly on the boards. Bionca Dunham has some very nice moves in the paint. Asia Durr is back to 100% and opponents should be very afraid of that. Teena Murray has this sports performance training thing down to a "T". Jeff Walz will not hesitate in telling you what he likes and dislikes. Ciera Johnson is strong in the paint. 

Louisville may be a target this year. But...you can't capture what you can't catch or contain. 

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WSOC VS. NC STATE TONIGHT

A battle of top 25 squads tonight at 7 p.m. in Lynn Stadium when #24 NC State comes to town to hit the pitch against #21 Louisville. 

The Cards (7-3-2, 2-1-1) are playing their fourth straight top 25 opponent....having gone 1-1-1 in the sequence so far. NC State is 9-3-0 and 3-1-0 in the ACC. They downed Boston College 1-0 last time out...a school the Cards came from behind to beat 3-2 back on Sept. 25th. 

NC State, like Louisville, is getting a notable freshman fantastic participation this year...with Tziarra King leading them in scoring. Fellow first-year players Ricarda Walklin and Michaella van Mannen join her at mid-field for a young but aggressive attack force. 

Louisville will look to their stellar defense...that has allowed just 10 goals in 12 games this year to keep the Wolf Pack from blowing the house down. Offensively, the Cards will look to the freshmen flashes Brooklynn Rivers, Sarah Feola and Allison Whitfield to create breakaways and find the net. 

It should be a fun one tonight on Floyd Street. ACC Network Extra will have the feed in case you can't attend. 

paulie
xxxxx

Louisville Women's Soccer downs NC State 1-0 -- Friday Cardinal Couple

Asher nails game winner in Cards return to Lynn Stadium

The late John Denver penned a song back in the 1970's with the refrain "Hey, it's good to be back home again". Although none of the current UofL women's soccer team players were around when it was a hit, who could blame them for adding it to their I-Pods...after a three game road trip that produced two ties and a loss? 

Cue up the speakers @ Lynn Stadium and play it, Sean Moth.

Louisville downed ACC foe North Carolina State 1-0 Thursday night in Lynn Stadium before a crowd of 1900. The only goal came in the second half when freshman Isabella Habudu found senior Chinyelu Asher with a cross that the Purdue transfer headed into the left side of the net. It was Asher's first score of the season.



Louisville "D" dominated this one...allowing a mere four N.C. State shots and none on goal in 90 minutes of action. The Cards got off 10 shots in the game, 5 on goal and one good for a score. Cards goalie Paige Brown could have sat in a rocking chair and enjoyed the beautiful evening...

The Cards get back to .500 ( 5-5-2) with the win and have three more in a row ahead on the Lynn turf. Boston College visits for a Sunday 1 p.m. match...followed by NKU on 10/15 and Virginia travels in on 10/19. Click the link below to hear the 1974 John Denver hit. Yeah, it's a little "country" but a good listen regardless. 

HEAR JOHN DENVER'S "HEY IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN

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POOBAH INDICATES KEEP IT ROLLING AT
BREAKFAST WITH PAULIE AND SONJA

A personal thank you to those have donated to CARDINAL COUPLE over the last couple of days. We've received $70 via Pay-Pal and a personal check for $25. Thanks to our friends in Oregon, Arizona and Louisville for their generosity. 

Our Arizona donor also challenges the Louisville readers to match his $50 donation. Step up, locals. We appreciate it.

WE COULD USE A LITTLE HELP HERE


We are proud to offer this unique look every day into women's sports at UofL. But...my well of finances is running dry. We could use some help. Everyone figures that someone else will step in and give a hand. We need you to be that someone else. You can donate through Pay Pal. You can send us a personal check. $5, $10...$20...whatever you can send.

Please send your personal checks to CARDINAL COUPLE LLC to:

PO BOX 91521
Louisville, KY  40291

Donate through PAY PAL Link :

CARDINAL COUPLE PAY PAL DONATION LINK

WE ALSO STILL HAVE CARDINAL COUPLE T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE IN ALL  SIZES.  A $12 DONATION CAN GET YOU ONE. 

Send your check and size and where you want it sent to the PO BOX above.

paulie