VT romps Louisville women's soccer 5-1 -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 VT FLIES PAST CARDS IN BLACKSBURG

As if the six hour bus drive to Blacksburg wasn't bad enough, the Louisville women's soccer squad also had to endure a 5-1 beatdown by Virginia Tech women's soccer Thursday night on the rainy VT campus. The loss was UofL's third straight n a row, after starting the season with five wins and two ties.

The Cards were able to keep the VT squad at bay and engaged them in a scoreless baattle for the first 30 minutes of action, but Taylor Price capitalized on the retreval of a corner kick and made it 1-0 Hokies at the 31:58 mark.

 

VT got another Price score five minutes later on a throw in to take a 2-0 edge on the pitch...Louisville had a chance to get a score right at the end of the first half, but Enerson Jennings shot at a wide open goal somehow missed, and VT was able to keep the ]Cards scoreless in the first half.

The Cards did gather the first goal of the second half when Fina Davy connected off a pass from Mackenzie Geigle, but the that just served to wae up the homestanding Hokies It was also the end of the UofL scoring for the evening .. 

It went to 3-1 VT when Anna Weir booted one in the back of the net on a throw in play with 56:03 gone in the contesr. And, Virginia Tech was not done, by any means...they got a score from Natalie Mittchell three minutes later, and collected their final goal about seven minutes after that when Taylor Price got her hat trik and third goal of the match...to end the scoring for the night

VT had an 18-5 five advantage in shots on the night and a 8-1 advantage on shots on goal. The Cards used .Kailey Kimball in goal for the first 75 minutes and Erynn Floyd saw the final 15 minutes. All five goals came aagainstt Kimball. 

The Cards take their third loss of the season,going to 5-3-2 and VT picks up their eighth win of the year. Louisville heads back to Lynn Stadium to face NC State on Sunday...the Wolfpack battled to a draw with Notre Dame tonight and are 3-6-2 on the season. 

TODAY...WHO KNOWS? 

With UofL cancelling school today because of the high wind and torrential rain forecast, as the remnants of Hurricane Helene roll through the southeast and Kentucky...we know not at the time of this writing whether Louisville field Hockey will still face Boston college today at 11 a.m.

 

As far as Volleyball vs. California, not sure about that either with school cancelled for the day, I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one...as well.

Update at 10am: Field Hockey has postponed their game and will try for an early start tomorrow at 9:30am.  There has been no announcement from Volleyball of any cancellation or changes, and they continue to post on social media about this evening's match, so it appears at this time to be full steam ahead in L&N FCU Arena.

Keep an eye on Go Cards for any updates...although they will usually play Field Hockey in any condition and the Trager Stadium field drains quite well. And Volleyball is, of course, indoors...

paulie

Defense Delivers in Cards Women's Soccer 1-0 Win at VT -- Monday Cardinal Couple

 CARDS SHUT OUT HOKIES 1-0 IN BLACKSBURG

On an ideal Sunday afternoon for soccer in Blacksburg, VA, the Louisville Cardinals Women's Soccer squad scored the lone goal and withstood numerous Virginia Tech shots to get the win 1-0. 

Defense did it for the Cards, shutting out the Hokies after they had put up eight goals on Thursday against Miami...and when you talk defense, you gotta be Gabby. 

The Cards redshirt senior goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelos recorded eight saves against the home-standing Hokies. Try as they might (VT took 18 total shots and five of them were on goal) Virginia Tech could not get the ball past the Cards stellar goalkeeper or Louisville defense. 

Kouzelos was "pretty in pink" and pretty proficient, leaving the box on numerous occasion tos cover VT shot attempts. Maybe the most spectacular stop for Gabby came in the final minute of play when VT, desperately seeking a score, got the ball to freshman Tori Powell on a cross and she fired at goal...but Kouzelos was there to make the stop and keep her slate clean. 

The shutout was Gabby's fourth of the season and 27th. of her illustrious career as a student-athlete at Louisville and improved the Cards to 4-2 on the season.

The Cards are playing in a new "system" during the 2020 slate, which Case Hoskins elaborated on in our Saturday Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast, and it seems to be defensively aligned...Louisville has allowed just three goals in six contests. 

Oh, yeah...let's not forget to mention how the deciding goal was scored...

Louisville turned to a freshman...Morgan Bentley...a midfielder from Atlanta, GA for their lone goal in the 32nd minute of the first half. The Cards had received a corner kick and after the ball was brought into play, VT made the stop on the incoming kick but the ball bounced to Bentley. She had a clear look at the net and drilled it home for her first goal of the season and her career at Louisville.

 

Statistically, the Cards only attempted five shots in the 90 minutes, compared to Virginia Tech's 18. Louisville's lone shot on goal was Bentley' conversion...the Hokies had eight shots on goal. Corner kicks were solidly in VT's favor as well, with a nine to three advantage in those. 

It's not how many times you kick it, though...it's how many times you kick it in the goal that determines wins, ties or losses in soccer and the Cards got the "W" for the first time against Virginia Tech since 1995. 

I tried several different sources to find any quotes from Louisville women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes but was unsuccessful. That sometimes happens when a squad is on the road... 

#13 ranked Louisville has two matches remaining on the fall schedule before the scheduled ACC Tournament. The contests will be home matches for the Kickin' Cards at Lynn Stadium and the first one takes place Sunday, October 25th. against the #14 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

The Irish (3-3) hosted Clemson yesterday but fell to the Tigers 2-1. The Cards end the fall ACC slate and season with a bang as they bring in #1 North Carolina on Thursday, October 29th. 

The ACC Women's Soccer Tournament is scheduled for November 10-15th in Cary, NC at the Wake Med Soccer Complex. The top eight teams will vie for the tournament title -- Louisville is currently tied for third place in the league standings with 4-2 Clemson with 12 points. 

Florida State and North Carolina are atop the ACC standings...they're both 6-0 and that translates out to 18 points each.  You can do the math on the league standings below, keeping in mind a squad gets (3) points for a win (1) point for a tie and (0) points for a loss. 

    

LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER SUNDAY, OCT 18th MATCHES: 

FSU                 6-0

UNC                6-0

LOU                4-2

CLEMSON    4-2

DUKE            3-1-2

VA                  3-2-1

PITT              3-3

ND                 3-3

WAKE          2-3-1

VT                 2-4

BC                 0-5

SYR              0-5

MIAMI         0-5

(NOTE:  NC ST IS NOT PLAYING FALL WSOC AND GT DOES NOT FIELD A WSOC TEAM)  

have a meaningful Monday!

paulie                                                                                                              xxxxx

WSOC Cards Fall in Final Game -- Weekend Scheduling -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WSOC Cards Fall in Home in Final Regular Season Game

Losing is never easy.  Last night's loss wasn't any easier than any other loss.  Louisville women's soccer fell at home to Virginia Tech in the regular season finale, 1-0.

Virginia Tech used a late first half goal off a corner kick to score the only goal of the match.  Jordan Hemmen found space off the set piece by Emily Gray to knock the shot in and put the Hokies on top.

The Hokies controlled the pace of the game for the full 90 minutes.  They used a speedy attack that swarmed to the ball to force the Cards into turnovers galore.  Louisville's offense relies on the sidelines to help move the ball up the field before passing into or near the box for a shot.  The Hokies hovered near the sidelines to disrupt the Cards.

Louisville outshot Virginia Tech 8-3 although it seems those numbers are flipped after witnessing the game unfold.  Virginia Tech's keeper recorded saves on all three of Louisville's shots on goal, with one of them nearly touching the line as the goalkeeper backpedaled near the goal line.  Virginia Tech's lone shot on goal went in, leaving Gabby Kouzelos with a goose egg in the saves column.

Emina Ekic had one of Louisville's better chances at scoring on a free kick a few yards outside of the box.  Her shot sailed mere inches to the outside of the right post.  Taylor Kerwin also had a shot dead center on the goal but a backpedaling goalkeeper kept the ball out of the goal by little more than a hair.

Louisville looked to have an opportunity for the equalizer on what was an obvious handball in the box.  A no-call by the official brought fans to their feet in an uproar.  However, you can't put the blame of a loss on the officials when Louisville was just outplayed.

Louisville falls to 12-5-0 overall and finishes with a conference mark of 6-4-0.  The Cards finish tied for fifth with Clemson.  A win, however, would've put Louisville in the top four and in position to host the first round. The Cards will be seeded #6 in the ACC Tournament because of the points differential scored during the regular season. Clemson's was higher, the Tigers get the #5 seed.

Virginia Tech played their way into the ACC Tournament with the win over UofL.

The Cards will begin play against #3 Virginia on Sunday in Charlottesville at 1 p.m.  Viewing options to be announced later, although we assume it will be ACC Network Extra. Our post-game with Karen Ferguson Dayes is below:






LINK:  KAREN FERGUSON DAYES AFTER 1-0 LOSS TO VIRGINIA TECH 10/25/18



FINAL  REGULAR SEASON CONFERENCE STANDINGS

1) North Carolina
2) Duke
3) Virginia
4) Boston College
5 Clemson
6) LOUISVILLE
7) Florida State
8) Virginia Tech

(WSOC photos courtesy of River City Cards. Check out their fine work at:

(www.rivercitycards.com)








Weekend Scheduling

Friday, October 26

WBB Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon. Noon today, At Downtown Marriott. It is a sold out event

Women's Golf begins the first day of the Alexa Stirling Women's Intercollegiate in Johns Creek, Ga.  They've had a great start to the season and are on pace to land back in the NCAA Championships in the spring.

Cross Country will begin the ACC Championships in Boston starting at 10:00 a.m.  Maybe they'll catch a World Series game while there.

Men's Soccer will conclude their regular season at No. 1 Wake Forest at 7:00 p.m.  The Cards dropped to 17th after a home loss to an unranked Lipscomb last week.  Louisville needs a win to be set to host through the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

Volleyball hosts Boston College at 7:00 p.m. The Eagles are in the bottom of the ACC standings.  Louisville is hoping to bounce back after a loss at Pittsburgh last weekend.

Saturday, October 27

Women's Golf continues the Alexa Stirling Women's Intercollegiate in the second day of the event.

Football hosts Wake Forest at noon for their homecoming game.  ESPN has the Cards favored but the approximate 20,000 fans that will be in attendance will probably think otherwise.

Sunday, October 28

Women's Golf wraps up their three-day event in Georgia.

Men's Golf competes in a one-day event in Kauai, Hawaii in the Princeville Makai Invitational.  Anybody up for a mini vacation?

Field Hockey concludes their regular season at Kent State at noon.  Louisville needs to get a victory stay in good shape for an NCAA Tournament bid.

Volleyball hosts Syracuse at 1:00.  The Orange are 8-2 in the ACC and tied for third.  This will be a tough match-up and a must-win.

Men's Basketball hosts Bellarmine at the KFC Yum! Center in a scrimmage at 2:00.  This will be the first time fans can see Chris Mack's squad in action.

Women's Soccer will travel to Charlottesville to face the Wahoos in the first round of the ACC Tournament. As mentioned earlier in the article they'll Virginia  sometime around 1:00 p.m.


WBB TIPOFF LUNCHEON TODAY

Bruce and Bill from last year's tipoff luncheon. GO CARDS! 

The University of Louisville WBB tip-off takes place today at noon in the Downtown Louisville Marriott main ballroom. This annual event features the coaches, players interacting with the fans as they get a preview of the 2018-18 women's basketball season.

These events are always fun and gives Sonya and I a chance to mingle with friends and die-hard Cardinal WBB fans. Coach Walz always gives a great preview and the public address duties are always handled with skill and finesse by the inimitable Sean Moth. A good media turnout always accompanies the event, as well.

Good times today downtown. The event is sold out, just in case you were thinking of dropping by for a quick salad.

HEAR JEFF WALZ ADDRESS THE MEDIA BEFORE THE LUNCHEON BELOW: 

JEFF WALZ -- PRE-WBB TIPOFF LUNCHEON 10/26/18 




NO-SHOW SATURDAY


There will be no Cardinal Couple Radio Hour tomorrow on WCHQ 100.9 FM or Facebook Live.  Paulie will be at the football game, Case is unavailable following his recent marriage, and I will be working and footballing.

We decided not to leave Worldwide alone in the studio since our regular stand-ins Mike Gilpatrick and Daryl Foust will also be at Cardinal Stadium.  The daily activities of the Cardinal Couple website will remain the same.

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

- Jared -

Louisville women's soccer holds their fate in their own hands -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WSOC FACES VIRGINIA TECH TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. IN LYNN

Will the Louisville women's soccer squad open the ACC Tournament at home or on the road? That the question before the Cards (12-4, 6-3) tonight as they welcome Virginia Tech into Lynn Stadium at 7 p.m. in the final regular season match of the year. 

The Cards are in the ACC Tournament, the question is where will they be seeded? Eight teams make the tournament. The Cards could go into the three game tournament as high as the #3 seed. Or they could drop to the sixth seed depending on how they fare against the 8-6-3, 4-5-0 Hokies. Ah, the point system...which awards a squad three points for a win and one point for a tie. A multitude of possibilities for the 14 teams that play ACC women's soccer. (Ga.Tech does not field a squad). 

A win over Virginia Tech (who has 12 points) gives the Cards three points and keeps them in at least a tie for third place with Virginia at 21 points. If the Cavs defeat N.C. State tonight in Charlottesville, they would clinch third place, the Cards would drop to fourth via the tie-breaker (Virginia defeated Louisville earlier in the season) but still open at home in the "round of eight" against the #5 seeded squad. Karen Ferguson Dayes' squad could face either Boston College, FSU or Clemson...depending on how those teams fare tonight. 

A tie or loss tonight isn't what Louisville wants to achieve.

A tie gathers (1) point, as mentioned earlier and would give either Boston College or FSU a chance to tie the Cards with 19 points should they win. Both have 16 points currently. The B.C Eagles face Pitt in Boston, who is tied for last in the ACC with zero points. FSU goes to Miami to face the 'Canes...who have seven points. 

A Louisville loss would be a blow and could plummet the Cards to a tie for sixth with Clemson, who needs a win tonight against win-less Syracuse to move up. Since Clemson and Louisville did not play in the regular schedule, a tie-breaker comes into play. BC and FSU would vault past the Cards if they are able to win and the Cards lose.  

Confused yet? 

Don't worry, all should be clear by 10 p.m. or so tonight and the eight will be determined. With four teams battling for that eighth spot (VT, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and N.C. State) and the right to play #1 UNC on Oct 28th...a lot of people will be checking the conference scoreboard as the night progresses. 

Worldwide probably couldn't develop a I.T. solution for this scenario, Case would have a hard time constructing a blueprint for all the possibilities and Jared...well, that's a lot of change in the offing that he'd have to count, sort and cipher. I just smile and nod. It's what I do best. 

Oct. 28th. (Sunday) will be the next time Louisville plays after tonight, regardless of how they do tonight and they'll be appearing in the Great Eight.  Then, first round winners advance to Cary, NC for the semifinals on Nov. 2nd (Friday) and potentially the finals on Nov. 4th. (next Sunday). 

Based on the regular season stats and performances, it looks like the road to the title will go through UNC. 9-0 in conference play, and 14-2-1. The Tar Heels defeated the Cards 5-1 earlier in the season in Chapel Hill. 

NCAA bid implications? That's a whole different scenario and we'll look at that after tonight's slate is complete.  

Right now, the best thing the Cards can hope for is a win tonight and a Virginia loss.

Come out to scenic Lynn Stadium, with the spectacular view of the tractor-trailer lot and I-65, for exciting WSOC action! We'll have trains, planes, automobiles and wild-eyed groundskeepers driving golf carts! Mike the Clemson Tiger would feel right at home. You don't want to miss it, but if you have to, ACC Network Extra will be providing coverage.

It will be a wee bit chilly by game time and there is a chance of rain, but when did we ever let that stop a good party and chance to see this hard-fighting, defensive-minded WSOC team take the pitch and go to battle? And, no sun in Gabby-the-goalie's eyes. 

Plus, they're giving away free UofL winter scarves to the first 300 through the gates! That, alone, should inspire you to get out and be social...Jared will bring the news tomorrow. Wearing a scarf, maybe. 


ACC STANDINGS

TEAM                              POINTS        ACC RECORD

1) North Carolina           27 points        9-0
2) Duke                          22 points        7-1-1
t3) Virginia                    18 points         6-3
t3) Louisville                 18 points         6-3
t4) Boston College         16 points         5-3-1
t4) Florida State            16 points         5-3-1
5) Clemson                    15 points         5-4
t6) Virginia Tech            12 points         4-5
t6) Notre Dame              12 points         4-5
t6) Wake Forest             12 points         4-5
7)  NC State                   11 points         3-4-2
8)  Miami                        7  points         2-6-1
t9) Pitt                           0 points           0-9
t9) Syracuse                   0 points           0-9  



TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE


Virginia Tech at Louisville
UNC at Wake Forest 
Duke at Notre Dame
NC State at Virginia
Pitt at Boston College
FSU at Miami
Clemson at Syracuse 



VERY SCARY

Gregory Alan Bush is the guy who killed two people at Kroger yesterday in J-Town.

He also followed me on Twitter and followed Cardinal Couple.

A self-professed UK sports fan, Bush and I never had any interchanges at the Cardinal Couple website. I did some tracing of anonymous comment and replies on the site and none came back to him.  He would, however, occasionally respond to my Tweets about the success of Louisville women's sports. Not in a positive manor. He had no love for Louisville WBB, that was pretty obvious from his comments and replies. 

Let me make it clear that I never met the guy. After seeing his picture, that became more obvious. One wouldn't forget a guy that looks like that. 

I went shopping at Kroger yesterday to get chili fixins' . Fortunately , it was not the Kroger where the shooting took place. I have gone to that one, though, before. It's close to one of my "watering holes" and I've popped in from time to time to pick up a few things on "the Sonya list". 

Our hearts, sympathies and prayers go out all to have been affected by this senseless, horrific act. 

I'm a little creeped out, I don't mind telling you.  


paulie
xxxxx




                                                            ######