Volleyball Block Party at the Cardinal Couple place

The Cardinal Couple are out of town in Florida (I hear they stowed away in Mario Benavides' luggage instead of hitch-hiking), so...party at the Cardinal Couple place.  Don't worry about the mess, we can blame it on Bill the Goat and Timmy the Chimp.

Who's going to be there?

Gwen Rucker didn't dress last week, fighting an illness.  She did dress for the party last night, but didn't play.  Presumably she's still recovering.  Here's to hoping that she keeps feeling better.

Courtney Robison (sophomore transfer from West Virginia) got dressed up in a bright pink number for the party, but unfortunately, the pink number was a cast on her right arm.  That didn't stop her from cheering from the bench like she always can be counted on to do, but it did prevent her from subbing in for some relief serving and on defense.  The pink looks good on you Courtney, but I do hope it comes off as soon as possible, but long enough to heal up well.

Let's get that dance floor warmed up

If you've never been to a UofL Volleyball match, they've embraced the dramatic lights-off, video-on-the-big-screen, driving-music-with-a-strong-beat intro that you're used to with basketball.  Its a great start for the match and always a lot of fun to get the crowd up and cheering, usually topped off with the inimitable Sean Moth's "Ladies and Gentlemen on your feet...".

Unfortunately, last night, after all of the starters were introduced and it was time to get out on the court and start play...the lights didn't come back on.  So we had a 20 or 30 minute delay while the lights cooled down and then warmed back up.  It was a good atmosphere, with the teams meeting on opposite sides of the net and showing off some of their dance moves, which I guess is also a pretty good way to stay warm and loose during a delay.  Once again, Lola showed her multi talents, and maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think she totally owned the dance floor.  After a bit of fun, they pulled the warm up balls back and out hit some balls around to stay warm and loose.

Party Lights

The lights did come back on and play got under way.  Louisville came out and played good ball in the first set, this one was never really in much doubt.

Things did get a bit more tense in the second set.  DePaul got in on the block party at the net with some good blocking.  The Cards' passing got a bit erratic in the second set, and that, of course, just throws the whole offense out of whack.  When that happens you get things like Defensive Specialist Haley Pouliezos having to take attack attempts, then you get a DS with a statistical -1.000 attack percentage, and it just ends up being a bad scene all around.  Of course, Haley was doing what she does, which is whatever is necessary to try to keep the ball in play and keep the Cards moving forward.  That hit didn't work out for the best, but, really, it was a broken up play and she did a great job even getting a shot at it.  With six digs in the match Haley contributed well.  This is a good lesson that its not all about hitting percentages.

After the set break...well, let's just say that we got the win.  DePaul had the lead a couple of the times during the set, and neither team ever lead by more than 3 points.  Another one where it wasn't pretty, but the VolleyCards dug down and got the job done.

You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here

The KFC Yum! Center facilities folks were probably glad the party ended when it did.  They had a scant few hours to get the volleyball/basketball setup (the awesome volleyball Sport Court gets laid down on top of the basketball court) out of the way so Carrie Underwood's crew could get in the place today and setup for her concert tonight.

Party favors

What do we get to take away from this party?  Well, we have another example of the Cards digging down and not giving up.  Beyond that, I don't know that there's a whole lot to be learned from this one. I'm sure Anne Kordes, Lee Maes, and Melissa Stark-Bean will have specific things to deal with, but for us as fans, I think the best thing we can do is be glad we got the win and be ready to come back for more play.

Where's the next party?

Sunday afternoon at 2pm back at the KFC Yum! Center versus Notre Dame.  Debbie Brown can always be counted on to get the best from her team, but they are struggling.  They were 7-5 coming into this weekend, but most of their losses have come against a brutal non-conference schedule (#1 UCLA, #3 Nebraska, #18 San Diego and #2 USC).  It took them all 5 sets to knock off an also-struggling Cincinnati Bearcats team last night, so we should be able to keep to our winning ways, but you can never overlook the Irish at the wide net.

Emergency Laundry Day for Sandy

Young, trainable baby wild cats, laundry sniff tests, field hockey, soccer, volleyball & Ms. Brakmeier

Paul and Sonja have managed to take advantage of the good weather which allowed them to hitch-hike their way to the Louisville/Florida International football game and have bravely decided to leave the web site in the hands of the interns.  As a way to prove to them that their decision was a good one, take a look at the free to a good home kitten pictures.  The web sites contributors met and decided that perhaps if, as little kittens, genetically programmed future UK supporters could be trained in the proper way to support their team (which includes how to properly use a litter box) once they become adults.  Pick one of these little rascals out from the pictures and give them a good foster home so that as adults they will have already learned to support U of L activities anytime the two teams are not playing one another.  Seriously, there are 4 darling little kittens whose photos have been air shipped to our offices and who need good U of L homes so that they can learn to be good citizens once they grow up.  Support our U of L team as without adoption these kitties could be left to the streets where chances are high that they will  become future undomesticated/feral wildcats.

Which one u want?

LAUNDRY TIPS

How to catch up on the Laundry

“Do you use the "sniff test" to salvage clothes from the dirty pile? Have you bought new clothes instead of doing laundry? Is your home cluttered with laundry piles? Will it take several hours, days, or weeks to get it done? Here's some advice on how to get caught up more efficiently!”  Instructions can be found at http://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Up-on-Dirty-Laundry

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FIELD HOCKEY

There was an absolutely wonderful article where the first Louisville woman to ever be  inducted into U of L's athletic Hall of Fame and aka “Ms. Field Hockey”, and formally identified as Ms. Brakmeier, was interviewed by Eric Crawford of WDRB news on September 19 which a couple of days after U of L named the Trager Field Hockey complex's new locker room after her.  The naming was not in response to her 90^th birthday but it was not a bad present.  This was quite an event for someone who arrived at U of L in 1940 as a student who never left!

Her interview fit perfectly into my earlier How It Was Series as she had great stories of what was necessary to create a situation where a field hockey team could practice and compete.  Some would be bitter but Ms. Brakmeier never seems to vary from her role of substitute mother to all who have passed through the physical education departments doors during those 40 years. 

"Every year during the fall season all of us would walk around the campus. It had a lot of open fields and wasn't all built up then, then I'd say something to some of the workmen and say, 'That seems to be a good field there and would make a good hockey field,'" Brakmeier said. "Well, they'd cut the grass low for us and if it was good they'd tell us and sometimes they'd say, 'Oh, that's not a good field at all.' We never had the same field two years in a row, but they were always very nice and helped us find a good spot."

U of L has pulled off quite a switch as it now “has one of the nation's better field hockey facilities, one of the few in all of NCAA Division I devoted to that sport and no other.”

Best of all was her story of how each years uniforms to be worn at matches were determined.  Just in case you are still a bit delusional regarding the amount of support provided by the University, there was no such thing as University provided uniforms. 

"We'd get them all together and ask, 'All right, how many have red shorts, or black shorts or white shorts?'" Brakmeier said. "We didn't have any financial support at first. Whatever we had the most of, that's what we'd wear. And you'd be surprised how many parents would come forward to buy their daughters a new pair of shorts or something like that. And if somebody needed it I could find them some kind of white T-shirt with Louisville on it."

Read these and other stories of How It Was at: http://m.wdrb.com/default.aspx?pid=2705&wnfeedurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wdrb.com%2fstory%2f19581578%2fcrawford-brakmeier-connects-u-of-ls-present-to-its-past%i3fclienttype%3drssstory

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CARDS TV

Boo to Cards TV!                            Cardinal Couple’s crack team of investigators

were sent out to determine what caused my intermittent picture of last night’s Field Hockey and Soccer games.  They concluded that Timmy had again fallen asleep during his assigned shift and allowed the transmission units to overheat and shut down.  

Timmy is now officially on probation as an Intern.  He promises it won’t happen again.

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SOCCER

The Women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against visiting Syracuse on Friday night at Cardinal Park.   They are now 6-2 for the season.

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FIELD HOCKEY

On Friday Night the Field Hockey team Defeated Georgetown 4-2 who are now 6-3 on the season.

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VOLLEYBALL

The Volleyball team defeated Big East Rival DePaul last night 3-0.  On Sunday they play Notre Dame at the YUM! Center at 2:00

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Rumor is that tomorrow Jenny will be sharing additional basketball recruiting scoops her team of graduate assistants have learned. I hear that internet traffic concerning possible recruits has been congested.  Also Paul and Sonja will be back the first of the week where I am sure they will untangle whatever messes their fill-ins have created.

Sandy W.

 

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A great weekend for you to follow UofL women's sports! Beginning tonight at 6 p.m., the Field Hockey team does battle with conference rival Georgetown. An hour later, the UofL women's soccer team takes to the Cardinal Park field to engage Syracuse. 

If the bright lights of downtown are your thing, #10 Volleyball fires up the KFC YUM! Center for a match with DePaul at 7 p.m.

Go Cards GO! 
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Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Wading into the Wade

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Schimmel placed on Wade Watch List

The candidates for the Margaret Wade Trophy watch list have been announced. The Wade Trophy is awarded annually to the best player in women's college basketball. 

Shoni Schimmel, a junior guard at the University of Louisville is on the Wade watch list. This does not mean someone has to keep an eye on her if she takes a dip in the ocean or pool. It basically breaks down to this: she's considered one of the best 25 players in college basketball this year. 

Last year's winner Brittney Griner is back again and is probably the odds-on favorite for a repeat. Since 2000, two women's college basketball players have pulled off the double...one of them getting the honor three years in a row. Any guesses on who? One is pretty obvious...Maya Moore was selected as the recipient in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. The other maybe a surprise to most of you (Sonja guessed Candace Parker) but it is Seimone Augustus 2004-05 and 2005-06. 

Since its inception in 1978, the award has been given to UConn players seven times. Besides Moore's three wins, can you name anyone else from UConn who received it? Here's a few hints. Two of them just played on the Olympic team. One is a broadcaster on ESPN and the other is the head womens' basketball coach at Hartford. The answers are Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Rebecca Lobo and Jen Rizzotti. 

Who will win this year? If she stays healthy and has a season like last year...Griner should repeat. Skylar Diggins is standing ready to pick up the pieces if Griner should falter. A couple of Kentucky high school players are also nominated...Adia Mathies and Anna Martin.

Here's a list of the winners since the turn of the century.

2000-01              Jackie Styles          SW Missouri St.
2001-02              Sue Bird                 Connecticut
2002-03              Diana Taurasi         Connecticut
2003-04              Alana Beard            Duke
2004-05              Seimone Augustus  LSU
2005-06              "         "   "       "     "  "
2006-07              Candace Parker      Tennessee
2007-08              Candice Wiggins     Stanford
2008-09              Maya Moore            Connecticut
2009-10              "     "  "      "            "      "      "
2010-11              "     "  "      "            "      "      "
2011-12              Brittney Griner        Baylor

That's right....Angel McCoughtry never won the award. She would have been a good choice in the 2008-09 season but Moore, as a sophomore, led UConn to the title and beat out McCoughtry. 

Shoni isn't the only current UofL women's basketball player to be nominated to the list. Senior Monique Reid was nominated before the 2011-12 season began. 

To be considered one of the best 25 players in your sport is quite an honor. Louisville has two such players on the roster. Let's hope Shoni, Monique and the rest of the Lady Cards are on a watch list to win the BIG EAST title and "wade" into the NCAA Tournament with a great seed. 

41 days until the UofL womens' basketball team plays the first game...an exhibition against Eckerd College. 
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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Golf wins Cardinal Cup

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Women's golf captures Cardinal Cup

-We look at: Jude Schimmel

Led by Emily Haas' tournament record-setting 209, the Cards held on in Day Two of the Cardinal Cup at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville, KY and won the event...edging Missouri by one stroke.

Haas' score also gave her the individual tournament title. The sophomore fired a 71 on the final day to capture the crown by five strokes. 

It is Louisville's first win of their annual tournament since 2009. Other Cardinal golfers results: 

Katie Petrino     225      tied for 18th.
Tara Lyons        228      tied for 27th. 
Candice Wiley   234      tied for 78th.

Three members of the women's golf team competed as individuals and did not affect the team score. Meghan Theiss and Laura Restrepo both had 54-hole scores of 230. Maike Klein finished with a 240. 

Good job, Louisville women's golf team! They return to action on Oct. 1st in the Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, MO.

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(Cardinal Couple has been running a series of articles over the summer on the 2012-13 Louisville Womens' Basketball team members. Today, we look at sophomore Jude Schimmel.)

Jude Schimmel began her freshman year at the University of Louisville with no illusions on what her role would be for the Lady Cards. Joining a squad that was heavily-laden with guards, including her older sister Shoni Schimmel, she realized that her freshman year would be a year of learning the Cardinal plays and system, spelling the starters as a back-up point guard and getting used to the pace and tempo of the college game. 

She succeeded in all three areas. Part of a Cardinal squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Jude provided valuable minutes off the bench as a capable point guard and defensive stopper. 

This summer, she's been working with her teammates to prepare for what looks to be an exciting season for Jeff Walz's squad. Her main focus has been to become a steady play-caller from the point, practice her ball-handling skills and shot. 

With the Cards returning four out of their five starters, Jude's role will most likely again be that of a reserve off the bench...needed for stretches when the starters are resting or saddled with fouls. Buoyed by the year of learning, we expect to see the younger Schimmel provide a instant spark off the bench and team leadership when she's on the court. 

Quick...on or off the ball...and blessed with a skill for pin-point passing and leading the transition game, Jude's abilities mesh perfectly with the up-tempo, transition style of basketball the Lady Cards employ. She'll see time, along with reserve guard Shelby Harper primarily at the point...but has shown she can "light it up" from the perimeter and might be needed as a "zone buster" when situations warrant that the Cards bring opponents out of a sagging zone defense. 

We expect to see plenty of Jude in the Cards' pre-conference games and how well she performs in these could be the key to her effectiveness and amount of playing time once the Cards enter BIG EAST Conference play. 

The concept of team chemistry and dedication to the betterment of the squad is an important concept in "Walz Ball" and Jude is a prime example of a player who puts her teammates first and meshes very well in the schematics and philosophy of this concept. 

Popular with the younger Cardinal fans and blessed with a great smile and sparkling personality, Jude embodies the overall appeal and charisma of the 2012-2013 Lady Cards! 

She's certainly popular with our CARDINAL COUPLE readers. We had numerous calls, e-mails and inquiries when she wasn't seen with the other players at several UofL athletic events last weekend. Not to worry, she's doing great and took a little time to attend the big gala event in her hometown...the Pendleton Roundup...which occurs this time every year. 

Jude's numbers

Games played  Minutes per  Pct.  Pts.  Avg. 

2011-12    30            11.7        .328    50     1.7

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Sandy is again struggling to keep up with this week's laundry

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Staff columnist Sandy Walker takes us on her weekly journey through the world of women's sports at UofL other relevant things. Make sure and stop by to see her at the Central Cardinal Club holiday boutique and fashion style show Tues., Oct.16th. at the PNC Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium along with other members of the CARDINAL COUPLE staff.) 

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(IT'S LAUNDRY TIME AGAIN...IT'S WORSE THAN 5 to 10...MADDER THAN A WET HEN...OH, WHERE DO I BEGIN?) 

It is a messy, messy time of year with multiple weather temperature changes and periodic rain that keeps the dirty clothes piling up.   In addition, add all of the extra clothing needs due to all of the recruiting traveling going on from in house visits and official visits

BASKETBALL

We are at the crossroads where basketball activity is busy. For the fan, though, there are no games to attend.  There are only lots of internet rumblings and gossip about recruits visits and reactions to them -- both their official visit to the schools and at their homes.  Those of us who are eagerly awaiting the season’s first game find ourselves, while trying to fill in the building excitement, seeking out any piece of information to be found.  I hear that Jenny is
even bribing Coco to hide out in the stalls of various women’s restrooms and listen for new pieces of recruiting information.   

The recent and upcoming visitors, as well as other young ladies that Jeff is seeking can in the future become known as Louisville’s trail blazers

 and a member of a historical break out recruiting class or they can choose to individually be known as just another of the followers of early greats from other schools.   To all of those who sign on, welcome aboard and hang on as it is going to be a great ride as you make your own history!

( Editor note: Co-Co reports that Jeff Walz is in Springfield, Oregon today...visiting a potential Lady Card. Maserati, Lexus, ...no...MERCEDES!)

Sunday was the home visit of Emmonnie Henderson, where it was reported as a great visit, while Mercedes home visit was reported to have been on Tuesday as she was definitely saving the best visit for last.  Her expected official Louisville trip set for October 26.  One of our weekend visitors, Alex Harris – another post player -  committed to Penn State over Louisville & Michigan so my dual post game plan seems to be in tatters.   Included in the report is that Duke was also visiting Kentucky’s Becca Greenwell last night. Wonder what Jo Ann is telling recruits these days. Anyone with updates to these or other recruits information,   please feel free to send in comments.

Reminder of the Tip off Luncheon:

The annual Tip Off Luncheon is set for Tuesday October 23 with doors opening at 11:15 am.  The event will be held at the YUM! Center and was a sold out event last year so get your ticket reservations in as soon as possible.   University of Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz will again be the featured speaker with team members also present (who are not in class).  Tickets for the event are $30 each on a first come, first serve basis.  You can call the U of L special events office at (502) 852-0706. See you there.

Pre-Season Rankings:

Lindy’s Sports picks UL women pre-season number 6. 

As long as several of the players are able to make a speedy enough recovery from earlier injuries they will maintain and improve upon the ranking.  Otherwise, I have total confidence in their ability to do as well or better as the season progresses.

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GOLF

The Louisville women's golf team will host the annual Cardinal Cup Monday, Sept. 17 and Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville, Ky. The Cardinals will host UTC, ETSU, UNC Wilmington, Illinois State, James Madison, Akron, Cincinnati, Maryland, Georgia State, Missouri, Bradley, UNC Greensboro, Charleston Southern and Rollins College for a 15-team field with 12 individuals also competing.

The teams will play 36 holes on Monday with an 8:40 a.m. shotgun start and 18 holes on Tuesday with an 8:40 a.m. shotgun start.  Information is directly from the University’s Official Golf Page located at http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-golf/spec-rel/091512aab.html.

Golf Tournament Update:

The University of Louisville women's golf team leads the field with a score of 591 after two rounds in the Cardinal Cup held at the Cardinal Club Course in Simpsonville. The Cardinals shot a 294 in the first round and a 297 in the second round to move up four spots to take the lead. Cincinnati is currently second with a score of 596. Missouri and Georgia State are tied for third with a score of 599. Sophomore Emily Haas currently leads the field.

                                                 http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-golf/recaps/091712aaa.html

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CHEERLEADING

It is possible that this season on Glee we will be seeing authentic Louisville Cheerleading uniforms and swag.  The producers of the show have requested items for main character Santana, played by actress Naya Rivera.  Last season she announced that “she was headed to the Derby City after receiving a full cheerleading scholarship to U of L. The show also gave a shout-out to the Cardinals during the episode, saying the school has one of the top cheerleading programs in the country”.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120917/features07/309170027?source=nletter-top5
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Cheerleader Basic Requirements:

·         Incoming freshman ARE eligible to try out.

·         Transfer students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to try out.

·         Current U of L students must be enrolled full-time (12 hours) to be eligible to try out.

·         Try-out packet must be submitted at the first round of auditions with a $40 fee.

·         There is NOT a point system. The coach makes the final team selections after advisement from current and/or former captains.

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VOLLEYBALL

Lola Arslanbekova was selected as the Louisville Student-Athlete of the Week.

Louisville wins the Louisville Invitational by beating Miami and Lola with 21 kills and nine digs was voted as MVP. Teammates Kaitlynn James and Brooke Mattingly join her on the all-tournament team. U of L now has three wins over schools that   should win their respective conferences Check out http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/091512aab.html for details.

Volleyball Promotions

Friday Sept 21 at 7:00 is Alumni Night at the YUM! Center.  Members of the UL alumni association can gain entry to the game against DePaul for $2.00. The squad is #10 in the nation in the latest Volleyball poll. 

                           

Also: Post Game against Notre Dame on September 23 (2:00 match) there will be Post Match Youth Clinic.  This is a free volleyball clinic for K-8 kids which will be held on the court after the game by the staff and team.  Waivers are needed.  Additional information can be found at http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/w-volley/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/vb-12-clinicwaiver.pdf   Autographs from the team will be available after the clinic to participants.

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SOCCER

Louisville Soccer moves up to 10^th in the Nation. 

Behind first half goals from Courtney Holtz and Charlyn Corral,

                        

 Charlyn Corral

Courtney Holtz                                 
                                                        
The Louisville women's soccer team earned a 2-0 road victory over DePaul on Sunday afternoon at Wish Field.  With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in BIG EAST Conference action, while the Blue Demons dropped to 5-4-1 on the season and 1-1-0 in league games with the loss.

 See http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/091612aaa.html 

Also come check out Louisville forward Christine Exeter who last year was named BIG EAST Offensive player of the year. She is recently back on the UL field after playing for the Canadian FIFA U-20 World Cup games.

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SOFTBALL

Big East Softball Champs were honored at Saturday’s UL football game.  

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NASCAR RACING NATIONALS

While I am aware that Nationals stockcar racing with NASCAR is not a University of Louisville women’s sporting activity – In this 40^th anniversary year of Title IX I could not resist a shout out to Brad Sweet who on Saturday drove car # 38 in the Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 and helped to remind us there are still all too many folks out there that just can’t handle dealing with females who are attempting to be as successful as others in formerly all male dominated sports.   It is sad but on Saturday, while a lap down from the leaders, Brad blocked Danica Patrick for a number of laps and did not allow a standard courtesy pass until it was too late for her to challenge moving from the 12 spot to possibly a top 10 finish.  Way to go Brad! 
  

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EVENTS

Cardinal Couple has been invited to set up a booth at this year’s Central Cardinal Club Holiday Boutique and Fashion Show. The event takes place Tuesday, Oct. 16th. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the PNC Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.  There are a lot of neat silent auction items available for viewing or to place a bid on. Paul and Sonja will be distributing flyers and business cards, talking women's sports with whoever stops by. and offering people a chance to register for a piece of Cardinal memorabilia that we're giving away. Others of us who periodically contribute to the blog will be dropping by also.  If I can’t get finished with my laundry I can always bring it with me to hang dry.

There will be a silent auction, holiday shopping , a lunch Buffet ($16 per person), fashion show, free wine tasting throughout the day and dinner buffet ($20 per person). All proceeds benefit the Cardinal Athletic Fund and UofL  Athletics. For information call 502-649-2638 e-mail debbiedoodlebug@mail.com.

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                                                             SHE'S OUR ANGEL 

Angel McCoughtry made a 2nd quarter apperance at the UofL v UNC football game wearing her Olympic Gold Medal and getting a massive, standing ovation from the 55,000 in attendance. She also tailgated in the lot with Cardinal fans before the game and all this after leading her Atlanta Dream squad to a victory Friday night. 

The Dream is firmly ensconced in third place in the WNBA Eastern Division and will begin playoff battles after two more regular season tilts.  
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Monday Cardinal Couple -- Soccer wins, Field Hockey falls on Sunday

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Soccer defeats DePaul

-Field Hockey loses in East Lansing to MSU

-Who's seeing who? 

Chalk up a win and a loss for UofL women's sports on Sunday...as the soccer team completed their weekend road trip with a 2-0 win at DePaul and field hockey loses in overtime to #19 Michigan State. We'll also look at some WBB visitors in today's edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. 

Holtz, Corral lead women's soccer to shutout

Louisville scored two first half goals against the DePaul Blue Demons and that was all they needed in a 2-0 win in Chicago against the BIG EAST foe on Sunday.

Courtney Holtz got the Cards on the board early in the contest, taking a feed from Charlyn Corral and finding the net just six minutes into the contest. It was her first goal of the season and the team-leading sixth assist of the year for Corral. 

UofL added an insurance goal in the 31st. minute of action when Corral was fed by Erin Yenney and hit paydirt. It was Corral's first score of the regular season and second assist of the year for Yenney. 

Goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer earned her fourth shutout of the season...an easy day for her with no shots-on-goal for the Blue Demons. 

"We played a much more complete game today and it allowed us to get a difficult win on the road. Our backs were much better and were more involved in our attack, which is why Courtney was able to score our first goal." -- Louisville head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes. 

The Cards improve to 6-2-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in the BIG EAST. They return home for two this weekend...Syracuse on Friday at 7 p.m. and St. John's on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Michigan State pulls out 2-1 win over Field Hockey

Louisville battled the Spartans gallantly for two periods and a sudden death overtime but MSU's Abby Barker scored her second goal of the afternoon with just five minutes remaining to give Michigan State a 2-1 win in the finals of the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational Sunday on the MSU campus.

Twenty minutes into the first half before either team scored in this match...Barker getting her first score of the day. The teams went into halftime with MSU holding that 1-0 advantage. 

Louisville tied the contest early in the second half when Haley Jurich provided Alyssa Voelme with a feed and she capitalized to tie the match. 

Senior Erin Conrad had five stops in the loss. Louisvlle drops to 5-3 on the year. 

"We had an opportunity to press Michigan State in overtime when we were a player up but we were unable to recognize and take advantage of the situation. We must now shift our focus to special situations and set plays as we prepare ourselves for our opening BIG EAST game on Friday." -- Louisville head coach Justine Sowry. 

The Cards face Georgetown at 6 p.m. in Trager Stadium on Friday. A great double header for Louisville fans on campus. Field Hockey followed by soccer. 

Visitor, visitor

The University of Louisville women's basketball team getting visits in with some pretty powerful 2013 recruits. Emmonie Henderson, Saniya Chong and Mercedes Russell all being courted by Jeff Walz and the UofL coaches, players and staff on campus or home visits. 

Three girls who will make an impact on any program they decide to align with. Three girls who have pared their lists down to include Louisville. 

Angel McCoughtry was also in Louisville on Saturday. No college eligibility left for the Olympian and WNBA star but a 2nd quarter apperance and introduction at the Louisville football game. Wearing her gold medal. 

She may have got the biggest cheer of the day from the 55,000 appreciative Cardinal fans in attendance. 

Think about that...Emmonie, Saniya and Mercedes. Coming back to Louisville after four fruitful years here.

Maybe with solid gold around your neck. Maybe making headlines in the WNBA. Getting love from 55,000 CARDINAL fans and making an apperance on national television. 

Cardinal fans appreciate, honor and love their women's athletes and Cardinal coaches are among the best, if not the best in college athletics. 

The best college sports town in America. Right here. 
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