Sunday Cardinal Couple

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Year of the Cardinal

-Nice surprise

Louisville has a lot to be proud of in their athletic acheivements from the 2013 season. Now, there's a link you can go to which chronicles all these successes:

YEAR OF THE CARDINAL

Which of the acheivements was the best? That is a hard one to pick. Winning a national championship is hard to top. Taking a BCS Bowl game in football also ranks high. The runner-up finish in women's basketball another contender.

Feel free to tell us which is #1 in your opinion in the comments section.

For me, the best game of the year was Louisville's upset
win over Baylor in women's basketball in the Oklahoma City regionals. It may be the biggest upset ever in the history of women's basketball.

While I'm looking at moments that were good, I'll also offer a couple of moment that weren't so good..for fair and balanced reporting. Watching Louisville WBB lose a double digit lead to Kentucky in the KFC YUM! Center stung. Seeing UCLA destroy the softball Cards in the regionals at Ulmer was a nightmare also.

And if it is the year of the Cardinal...who was the best Cardinal in women's sports?

I'll offer five. You can pick one or come up with your own.

1) Shoni Schimmel. Her season was an excellent one and she's preparing to play in the World University Games. I'll never forget her "how do you like me now?" moment after hitting the impossible shot against Brit Griner.

2) Alicja Wolny. Led the softball Cards in hitting and made the Great Britian National Team for the European Championships. Was the embodiment of team leadership for Sandy Pearsall's squad and is also a fun interview.

3) Rachel Melhado. A steller star for Karen Ferguson Dayes soccer squad and is also getting some overseas time playing for Team Canada in Germany. Solid mid-fielder and defender that leads by example.

4) Lola Arsenbeckova. The outside hitter powerhouse for Louisville Volleyball willed the Cards to a great season and another BIG EAST Championship with her "killing" ways.

5) Nikki Boltja. The big-time lacrosse scorer was at the forefront of Louisville lacrosse's turnaround season. Leader in scoring, determination and hard work for a very good, young and talented team returning for Kellie Young.

Good choices all. But, when it's the Year of the Cardinal, that's how it should be.

Women's Coach of the Year at UofL? That's another toughie, since a bunch of them had great seasons. I'll go with Jeff Walz...getting a group of kids to believe in themselves and what they could accomplish. It got them to New Orleans and the NCAA WBB Finals.

Years ago, there was a song out by a guy named Al Stewart named "Year of the Cat". No, it wasn't about UK. Who would you choose to step up and write and perform "Year of the Cardinal?" I'll suggest a couple of singers with Louisville roots. How about Mickey Clark, the ol' Cardinal Cannonball hmself? Or our favorite year at CARDINAL COUPLE...Robbie Bartlett? Maybe even pep band director Al Greener...Or, Russ Smith? He seems like he can do everything Louisville related.

I have to confess, though...every year is Year of the Cardinal for me, though. From the first goal attempt for Louisville Soccer in early August to the final catch in the outfield at Ulmer Stadium...the eight months or so of Louisville women's athletics is a very special time.

Good thoughts about a good season. And next year could be just as good. I can hardly wait.

-Paulie

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I chose not to attend Churchill Downs last night because of the impending, forecasted weather and also because I'd been there the last two days. I did have a little money left in my Twinspires and TVG accounts, though...so I did a little pre-racing wagering and got involved in other pursuits Saturday night.

Got around to checking it this morning.

A nice surprise on a minimal 50 cent wager on a Pick 3 at Churchill for me. I used Brian Hernandez, Jr. on Maypark and a couple of others in the 5th. race. Maypark got it done.

Picked the favorite and Hernandez again and added Seton Hall in the 6th. Since we're leaving the BIG EAST, it seemed the right thing to do. Seton Hall wins at 32-1. (It may be the biggest win ever associated with the name SETON HALL.) Also a $4 across the board on the Ian Wilkes horse.

Finished it up with JJ Hysell's pick Debt Ceiling and Runkle in the 7th. Debt Ceiling romps them at 5-1.

Payout? $603. Barely an IRS reportable. But...acceptable.

That covers a week of being unemployed.

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Monday Cardinal Couple -- Softball, Lacrosse win on Senior Sundays

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Softball slugs past Georgetown 10-1

-Lacrosse holds off Villanova 13-10

-Crescent Hill Radio's Derby Kickoff

Sunday was Senior Day for both the softball and lacrosse team on Belknap Campus. Each squad stepped up big to honor the graduated with wins. Here's the results:


LOUISVILLE 10 - GEORGETOWN 1


Louisville beat up on Hoya pitching for 11 hits, including three home runs, in five innings to go to 44-8 overall and 17-2 in the BIG EAST.

The Cards took an early lead in the bottom of the first when Jordan Trimble singled and scored on a Maggie Ruckenbrod double. UofL hitting got into full stride in the second when Taner Fowler blasted her ninth home run off the year to begin the inning. Hannah Kiyohara followed with an infield single and reached the plate when Trimble got her second hit of the game...a double to left. Katelyn Mann made it 5-0 when she blasted a base-clearer deep over the center field fence.

Louisville picked up five more runs in the fourth inning. Mann doubled to start things off. She scored on a Alicja Wolny fielder choice. After a Ruckenbrod walk, Whitney Arion bombed one over the left field fence to make it 8-0 Cards. Fowler beat out an infield hit and came home when Chrisanna doubled. Kiyohara doubled to score Roberts and UofL had a 10-0 advantage.

The Hoyas got a run in the top of the fifth for the 10-1 final score. Rachel LeCoq tossed four innings of three-hit softball. Caralisa Connell pitched the final inning...allowing one run on two hits.

LOUISVILLE 13 - VILLANOVA 10


Lacrosse ends the regular season with a 11-6 record...downing Villanova 13-10 at UofL Lacrosse Stadium.

After the Wildcats scored the first goal of the game, Louisville roared back with a 5-0 run. Kaylin Morissette opened the scoring spree and Nikki Boltja, Cortnee Daley and Monica Negron followed with net-finders. Morissette tallied again to give the Cards a 5-1 advantage with 11:37 left in the first half.

'Nova answered with a goal, but Louisville took off on another run...this one a four-point streak. Coleen O' Malley connected for the first two, Boltja found her second goal and was followed by Daley's second "back of the net" shot.

The Hoyas closed it to 9-3 with a late first half goal but Boltja scored again...almost at the end of the half to make it 10-3 Cards after 30 minutes.

Villanova would make a contest of in the final 30 minutes...scoring six out of the first seven goals to draw within 11-9. Boltja's fourth goal of the game separating two three goal runs by the Wildcats.

The Cards outscored VU 2-1 in the remaining minutes, though...going into a ball possession mode of offense...to get their third straight BIG EAST win.


CRESCENT HILL RADIO ROCKS EXPO FIVE


The annual Raise A Note Crescent Hill Derby Kickoff Concert took place Sunday at Expo Five in Shively and attendees were entertained by the music of Robbie Bartlett, Anton Mink, Nick Peay, Bridge 19 and Memphis Beck...some of the many bands who took both stages in the gala affair. Tara Bassett was emcee for the show.

Sonja and I attended for a little over half the show, alternating back and forth from the main stage and second venue. Robbie Bartlett, despite a ailing voice from allergies, put on a fantastic set...getting the crowd up and in full boogie mode with selections "Play that Funky Music", "Brick House" and "Stormy Monday". Sadly, the short set did not allow Bartlett to perform two of my favorites by her..."Mustang Sally or CARDINAL COUPLE theme song "Change Is Coming."

I got a chance to speak with Bartlett's percussionist Mike Allgeier shortly before the band took the stage. He's a huge Cardinal basketball fans and we discussed at length the incredible runs that both Cardinal teams experienced this past season.

We also got to talk with Crescent Hill Radio station engineer Kelly "Stacy Lacy" Newton and show organizer/station owner Kathy Weisbrod as well. A fun evening of great local and regional music for an appreciative crowd!

-Paulie

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Soccer wins, Golf tees off today

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Soccer back to winning ways over Toledo 3-1

-Women's Golf team starts season in Colorado

-Happy Birthday Robbie! 


Uremovich the difference as Louisville defeats Toledo

The University of Louisville soccer team improved to 5-1 on the season with a 3-1 win over Toledo Sunday at Cardinal Park in the Marriott Louisville Airport Classic. Angelika Uremovich scored twice for the Cards in the triumph.

A slow start for Karen Ferguson-Dayes kickers, who were knotted in a scoreless tie after the first half. Toledo hit the board first in the 52nd minute of play and held that advantage until the 59th minutes...when Chelsea Hunter connected on a penalty kick. It was her first score of the season. 

Louisville took the lead for good in the 70th minute of the 90 minute contest when Uremovich scored her first goal of the game. A precise header off a corner kick from Charlyn Corral made it 2-1 Cards. 

She tacked on the insurance goal the the 81st minute, driving a pass to the right post past Toledo's goalkeeper. Uremovich has 15 career goals and the junior from Ontario also was named to the All-Tournament team with Hunter for Louisville. 

" I was not happy with the way we started the first half but the increased energy and effort to start the second half was the difference. The credit goes to our kids for the second half. We have to understand that we must respect the game from the opening whistle in every match we play." Louisville women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes.

Respect could be tested this Friday when the Cards play the first of two on the road, a nationally televised contest on ESPNU against Notre Dame. The game is set for 4 p.m. Louisville finished the road trip at DePaul on Sunday. 

Tee time: Louisville women's golf begins season

The Louisville women's golf team starts the season this morning at Windsor, Colorado as part of a seventeen team field in the Colonel Bill Wollenberg Ptarmigan Ram Classic. Louisville will play 36 holes today and 18 Tuesday in the two-day event.

A solid returning nucleus for first year coach Courtney Trimble. Candace Wiley, Tara Lyons, Emily Haas, Katie Petrino and Sara Karlsson will tee it up. Wiley is the only senior in the group and all five saw extensive action for the Cards last season. 

Lady sings the blues (except today)

Finally, a very happy birthday to Louisville singer/performer Robbie Bartlett. A favorite of the CARDINAL COUPLE ownership, Robbie's a fixture at Saturday afternoon tailgating events at the Parrish House...performing her eclectic mix of pop, rhythm and blues, Motown and soul. The only downer to the Louisville win over Kentucky a couple of weeks back in football was that the pre-game rain kept Robbie and her excellent band from performing.  

We love it when she sings the national anthem at Louisville women's basketball game and you'll find her in the stands cheering on Jeff Walz's troops even if she isn't scheduled to perform. We'd love to see her become the regular singer for these contest, seems like Louisville always wins when she delivers the "stars and stripes". Are ya listening, Tom and Julie? 

It also so happens that Robbie shares her birthday with Cardinal women's basketball great Angel McCoughtry. 

You can also catch Robbie at various other venues around town and we've provided a link to her website. 

Rockin' Robbie 
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Friday Cardinal Couple - Owsley Brown Frazier 1935 - 2012

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- The Owl moves on

-Women's Soccer opens Friday @ Butler

-Field Hockey preseason scrimmage vs. IU

-Sing it, Robbie! 

Sad news that Owsley Brown Frazier has passed. The Louisville based philanthropist and his family donated millions of dollars to the University of Louisville over the years and 'Owl' was a recognizable fixture at Louisville sporting events in his wheelchair. 

The guiding force behind Brown-Forman Distillers for many years and founder of the Frazier International History Museum, Owsley's heart and pocketbook were essential in the building of the top-notch facilities that UofL sports teams practice and play in. 

Louisville loses a legend but the buildings and industries he helped establish will stand as a testimony and tribute to a man who cared...and backed it up with his wallet. 

A fixture at UofL women's basketball games, in his wheelchair on floor level...never far from the UofL bench...it's said that he'd rather attend a Cardinal sporting event than a gala party or banquet. 

Gotta love a guy like that. 

With a $25 million gift to the University of Louisville last December, no doubt his legacy will live on way past most of us. 

(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

Never got the chance to meet the man, personally. Not really sure what I would have said to him if I'd had the chance...except:

"Thank you." 

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Women's soccer kicks off the regular season today in Indianapolis against Butler University. The game will test the Cards scoring capabilities again. Exhibition wins over Ohio State and Wright State totalled four points for the Red and Black, while holding the foes to just one goal. 

The Bulldogs, entering their first year as a Atlantic 10 conference member, defeated crosstown rival IUPUI 3-1 five days ago in an exhibition game.

Butler went 8-10-2 last season in Horizon League competition. They have a Louisville/Sacred Heart flair with midfielders Jackie and Nikki Hafele and forward Lucy Chauvin on the roster. 

Game time is 7 p.m., in case you're making the I-65 drive to watch. 

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Louisville Field Hockey has a preseason exhibition on campus at Trager Stadium Friday against IU. 2 p.m. start for this one. 

The Cards were 10-9 last year and made it to the BIG EAST semi-finals. 

Tough-as-nails goalie Erin Conrad returns for a Louisville team that lost leading scorer Hayley Turner to graduation. A quick scan of the roster only shows one Jurich (Haley) on the team as well....her sister Lacey now in nursing school.  

The Cards were a pre-season pick to finish third in the BIG EAST.

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Anyone who's passed the Parrish House en route to a Louisville home football game over the past several years has most likely heard the silky, smooth stylings of pop and r&b diva Robbie Bartlett. 

A fixture singing the national anthem at UofL women's basketball games...Robbie's stylings have graced the 'Ville' for years at venues Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, John E's and R Place Pub.

Tonight, our favorite crooner takes to the big stage at the Kentucky State Fair...opening for Keith Sweat in a free concert in Fairgrounds Stadium. 

Bartlett covers Motown, R&B, pop, rock and soul as effortlessly and smoothly as the "Mustang Sally" she sings about. 

Let's hope the weather holds for them. Thursday night's free show with Cinderella and Sebastian Bach got cancelled because of thunder storms. Or, maybe the fair board should stick Journey, Pat Benetar and Loverboy outside tonight and give Robbie & Keith Freedom Hall. 

After all, she's a huge Cardinal fan.
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