Five Questions for...Justine Sowry -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

9-1 CARDS HEAD TO #4 SYRACUSE

COACH HAS A NEW RED WALL IN HER OFFICE! 

Undefeated on the road this year and ranked #7 in the nation...the Louisville Field Hockey team is off to their best start since 1977. We had the chance to catch up with head coach Justine Sowry on Wednesday prior to their departure for Syracuse and took a look at past, present and future for the Trager Stadium dwellers...here's five questions with Justine:



1) TELL US ABOUT THE TRIP TO CAROLINA LAST WEEKEND? 

"It was a great trip, Paulie. In our many conversations about the team, I've been critical about areas we need to improve upon...but playing against Wake Forest was probably our best game of the season so far...and maybe over a few years. I had to watch video to find areas to improve upon because we played fantastic field hockey winning 2-0."

"We followed it up against Appalachian State. It's always hard to come back on a Sunday after a tough contest on the road and they had more energy than us in the first half probably...but we eventually controlled the tempo and went pretty deep into our squad to get the 4-1 victory. To come away with two road trip wins in an environment that wasn't always easy is very pleasing."

2) YOU HEAD TO SYRACUSE FRIDAY FOR MAYBE YOU'RE TOUGHEST GAME OF THE SEASON? THEY WERE #1 AND NOW #4...

WILL Q SHOW UP FOR THE SYRACUSE
VS. LOUISVILLE FIELD HOCKEY GAME?

"This is definitely a challenging stretch for us. Syracuse is a quality program, they're the defending national champions. They attack with numbers. They put a lot of pressure on you defensively. Wake Forest prepared us for that pressure...we just have to tidy up a couple of areas and make sure we're on the same page up there. They're strong in the midfield and it'll be our job to put pressure on their backfield." 



3) AFTER SYRACUSE, YOU RETURN FOR A FIVE GAME HOME STAND. FOUR OF THESE OPPONENTS ARE IN THE TOP 25. A TOUGH CHALLENGE.

" It is really a tough stretch for us. We know our ACC opponents are always going to be tough and the two BIG 10 opponents coming in are tough as well. The BIG 10 is much stronger this year...they go five, six teams deep in the rankings. It is an incredible opportunity for us to see where we're really at." 

4) THE NORTHWESTERN GAME IS ALL-AMERICAN BANNER REVEAL AFTERNOON. WHO ARE THE PLAYERS THAT WILL BE REVEALED ON THE BANNERS? 

" Vic Stratton, who was a excellent defender for us and is currently a volunteer coach for us is one. Her parents will be here from New Zealand for the ceremonies and that's a very exciting thing for her and our team . Ayeshia McFerran became an All-American last year also, as a freshman, which is a first for us. 

Step Dancing is quite difficult...it's trained Ayeshia
well for goalkeeping, we surmise. 

5) I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT AYESHIA IS SKILLED AT IRISH STEP DANCING AND PLAYING THE FLUTE. ANY CHANCE WE COULD GET HER TO PUT ON A HALFTIME SHOW? 

" I know she'd certainly be up for that challenge and we're well aware of her dancing skills. The flute I wasn't as aware about. I don't want her playing the flute, though...[ laughter ]... 


( Be sure to catch the entire Sowry interview on our Saturday radio show...THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. This week (weather permitting) we'll be doing the show live from the Ohio River at Louisville Rowing's RED AND BLACK REGATTA. 
The show starts at 11 a.m....on WCHQ 100.9 FM and streams live on the Internet at www.crescenthillradio.com  Take Crescent Hill radio with you wherever you go by downloading the WCHQ app...available at the website.)

paulie
xxxxx 

Successful senior sendoff Sunday for Field Hockey...Volleyball sweeps Wolfpack -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WOODS SCORE HOLDS AS FIELD HOCKEY DOWNS RUTGERS 1-0 ON SENIOR DAY

Louisville Field Hockey got their ninth shutout of the season and Nicole Woods got her ninth goal of the season in Louisville's 1-0 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Sunday at Trager Stadium. 

Hear our own Worldwide Jeff McAdams interview Coach Justine Sowry post-game at the link below: 

JUSTINE SOWRY DISCUSSES WIN OVER RUTGERS


Woods score came with 15 minutes left in the first half on a feed from Chile Garcia...one of four seniors playing their final home game on the Trager turf. Victoria Stratton, Megan Anstotz and Katherine Gwynne-Wood were also honored in pre-game ceremonies. 

Louisville got another outstanding defensive effort and Ayeshia McFerran recorded four saves while improving to 13-5 on the year. The Stick Cards head to Charlottesville, VA next to face North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament on Thursday.  

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WIDE NET CARDS GET OUT THE BROOM IN RALEIGH

Louisville Volleyball bounced back from a Friday loss in Chapel Hill with a straight set 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 sweep of NC State. Janelle Jenkins continued the front line heroics with 14 kills.

A challenging first game...neither team gaining a clear advantage and Louisville actually trailing 23-22 before three straight Wolfpack errors provided UofL with the win. 

Louisville would have none of that back and forth lead change scenario in the second game...roaring out to a 12-6 lead and pushing that to 20-10. Jenkins provided five kills for the Cards and she closed the door on Mr. and Mrs. Wuf with a kill for the seven-point win. 

After the break, NC State made it a contest early...leading 10-9 before the Cards took control and chalked up 11 straight points to establish a 20-10 advantage. A Tess Clark
kill gave Louisville the final point for game and match.

The win keeps Louisville in a tie at the top of the ACC standings with Florida State at 11-1. Louisville is 17-5 overall. 

The Cards return home for two in the KFC YUM! Center...dangerous Pitt comes in for a Friday night game and Virginia Tech challenges Louisville Sunday

Full Friday for UofL women's sports -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAY FIELD HOCKEY AND VOLLEYBALL

It is another event day where the Louisville Volleyball and Field Hockey squads will be taking their respective fields of battle at the same time today. Field Hockey defends Trager against Spartie tonight at 6 p.m. while Volleyball has Carolina on their mind in Chapel Hill at the dinner hour. 

Add in football at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem and it adds up to a full Friday of UofL Athletics. Sprinkle in Breeders Cup and you have a fun festival of sporting events. 

FIELD HOCKEY HOSTS MSU

The #9 Cards host a Michigan State team that has struggled this season (5-12) and recently got dusted by the Ann Arbor bunch 5-0 but Justine Sowry takes no opponent lightly.

The Cards (11-5) are led offensively with Nicole Woods and Stephanie Byrne with seven goals each...but it's been a community effort this year in getting the ball into the net with 10 players getting scores and eight of them with two or more. Back in the net, freshman Ayeisha McFerran has tended to eight shutouts in 16 games and has a 1.15 goals against average number.

Wins are important for the Stick Cards in the final two before ACC Tournament Play at Virginia. A high RPI will bode well in securing a 1st round home game in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville will face North Carolina in the ACC Tournament and a upset victory there as well would help Louisville stay in Trager to march towards a national championship. 

Kudos also to Elisa "Chile" Garcia and Vic Stratton who have been selected to play in the NFHCA Senior Game November 21st. at the University of Michigan. 

(Take sweatshirts and leggings...Ann Arbor gets a bit chilly in late November.)

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VOLLEYBALL LOOKS TO STAY UNDEFEATED IN ACC 

Our "missing the action" correspondent Jeff "Worldwide" McAdams wouldn't commit to how many more games in-a-row #23 Louisville Volleyball might run off (the win streak sits currently at 10) but UNC will be a challenging test for Anne Kordes' wide-net wallopers. 


The Tar Heels are 11-8, 8-2 and boast a three-game win streak of their own...knocking off Miami, Ga. Tech and Clemson recently. 

UNC also put the kabosh on Louisville last year in the KFC YUM! Center with a 3-1 match advantage...winning the final two games in nail-biting 27-25, 26-24 fashion. 

You can witness this one on GoHeels TV at 6 p.m. The link below should get you there

LIVE LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL ACTION VS UNC

Also...here's a nice read on Louisville's Katie George:

GIRL POWER


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BREEDERS CUP ANYONE?

Paulie will take the $3.87 he found in loose change after following the camera crews around Tuesday at WBB Media Day and try to fund CARDINAL COUPLE for 2016 by wagering successfully on (4) Friday Breeders Cup races. 

His picks for all (13) races over the next two days are over at his personal website...you might want to avoid at all costs. 

LINK:

ROUND AND ROUND THE TRACK THEY GO


paulie
xxxxx

Friday Cardinal Couple -- Field Hockey Interview and Miller hired as Softball assistant

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- CARDINAL COUPLE exclusive with Justine Sowry and Victoria Stratton

-Jay Miller named Louisville Softball assistant

- Trolley Hop Concert series tonight at Crescent Hill !!

- WBB releases non-conference schedule




I got a nice surprise today when stopping by the UofL Field Hockey Offices to interview Justine Sowry. Also available for our exclusive interview was junior back Victoria "Vic" Stratton. 

We'll have the full interview on the Saturday morning CARDINAL COUPLE Radio Hour that airs weekly at 11 a.m. but here are some teasers from the delightful 15 minutes.

- What brought a New Zealand girl to Louisville? Hear Vic tell about the influences and that first visit!

- How Vic thinks the Cards will do in their first ACC season.

- What is Coach Sowry is prepared to do after each home ACC win this season?

- How did a former UofL Field Hockey great play an integral role in getting Vic to campus?

Join us Saturday morning on CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

at 11 a.m. to hear these questions answered and much more!  An Australian, New Zealander and Paulie...this is "can't miss" radio...

Cardinal Couple Radio is a proud show affiliate with Crescent Hill Radio. To listen to the station or hear any of our archived broadcasts...go to:

CRESCENT HILL RADIO


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Turns out Coach Pearsall didn't have to go too far to find her newest assistant coach. Actually, right down the hallway...as two-year volunteer assistant Jay Miller is now the newest full-time assistant for the Hit 'n Pitch Cards.

Miller came to Louisville in 2011 after a successful coaching stint as head coach of the Miss. St. Bulldogs.  His wife, Lacy Lee Baker, is the executive director of the NFCA...headquartered here in Louisville.


Miller's expertise in working with pitchers and catchers will serve the Cards well...Pearsall looks to replace stalwart Maggie Ruckenbrod behind the plate and will have two freshmen and two sophomore pitchers when play begin in the spring of 2015. 

His extensive head coaching experience and knowledge will be an asset to the Cards as they prepare for season one in the ACC.

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Looking for a little fun tonite? Why not head over to Frankfort Ave. and hang out at the Crescent Hill Radio Trolley Hop Concert? It's live music on the lawn in front of Crescent Hill Radio and...it's free! 

J. Gumbo's will also have food and beverage available for purchase. 

Tonight's show is an excellent one...with Ben Knight & The Welldiggers opening at 6:30 p.m. and the legendary Juggernaut Jug Band taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.



Crescent Hill Radio is located at 2520 Frankfort Ave (between Galt and Peterson Avenues). Bring a lawnchair, your own food and beverage if you like and sit under the stars and enjoy great local music. 

You might even see the infamous Worldwide Jeff McAdams prowling the premises...in addition to sweet Sonja and cantankerous Paulie...yelling at people to get off the station's front yard. 

It's fun, it's free and it's pet friendly. See y'all there!! LINKIE below: 

Hop, Hop...hop to the HOP !!!


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OK, here it is....fire away with your comments and observations. 10 home games...four on Sunday, two on Friday and Thursday and one each on Monday and Tuesday.


-paulie
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