Friday Cardinal Couple -- Lacrosse Interview with Kellie Young

CARDINAL COUPLE recently had the chance to interview head Louisville Lacrosse coach Kellie Young. We appreciate the chance to provide our readers this exclusive interview with coach and here it is in it's entirety:

CARDINAL COUPLE:  Your team is ranked tied for sixth in the preseason BIG EAST poll. Is this about what you expected?

COACH YOUNG:  It's what I expected but it's certainly not what we are. Being sixth in the BIG EAST is certainly below standard. That's where we were last year. We had a huge culture shift within the program and removed a number of players who weren't on board with who we are and where we want to go. It's a reflection of last year and not where or who be want to be this year. So, we take it now day by day and use that #6 ranking to show it's a huge understatement of what we're going to be. The opponents we face in the BIG EAST are monumental. And, that's an exciting thing. You have to be able to beat the best to become a champion. Syracuse played last year in the national championship game. They lost a close battle. They'll be moving to the ACC with us. Notre Dame historically is a powerhouse in Lacrosse and they're joining us in the ACC also. Georgetown...the same thing. I had coached at Georgetown years ago and had some championship teams up there. They may have not returned to that venue but they're still a very challenging opponent. Loyola, another top ten team, is a historic program out of Maryland, which is a hotbed for our sport. They have the pickings of whoever they want, just to leave high school and come next door to play in college. Other good teams are Rutgers and UConn and they gave us challenges last year.

CARDINAL COUPLE: When most people think of Louisville Lacrosse last year the name Nikki Boltja comes to mind. All-region last year and a preseason All-BIG EAST pick this year. Talk a little about her...

COACH YOUNG: Nikki is the definition of a work-horse. She truly is on the field, on her own, just about every day. My office overlooks the field, so I get to see whose out there and she is a constant. Whether it's shooting a bag of balls on her own, working on her dodges with the coaching staff, working on plays with her teammates...she really does do it all. She is a competitor. Her emotional drive to win is why she scores so many goals. But it's not about personal attainment with her. Not about how much she scores but about what helps this team. Her emotion, her passion for this game is what drives her every day. She is someone who shows up at practice every day emotionally, mentally and physically ready to go. And, she's a great kid. A great student-athlete.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Would you consider her the team leader of the squad?

COACH YOUNG: No, and that's the interesting thing. She is a leader by what she does but she is a very quiet kid. At least around the coaching staff. She's not very quiet when she goes back to housing. (Laughter) She doesn't need to speak, she's going to do it through her actions. Her teammates are inspired by how hard she goes. But she isn't really driving anyone else. Our leader is really Janave Dzikewich. She is our sixth year senior. She's had three ACL injuries but is now playing better than ever. We did have to petition to have her come back for the sixth year. We were granted that and we are just so thrilled we have her again. She is the main reason our culture has changed. Just raising the bar, expectations on and off the field. In the classroom. A vocal leader every game. She sees things so well on the defensive end. People just follow her and do what she tells them to do.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Katie Oliverio returns for her senior season after sitting out last year with an injury. Talk about what her return to the team means.

COACH YOUNG: She is in better shape now than when she hurt herself. She's part of our offensive attack, so she'll be attacking 95% of the time. She's fast! She'll also help us re-defend. What Katie brings is that she's also one of our leaders, one of our tri-captains. She's our emotional leader. Janae Dzikewich is the driver, Katie is the voice. She's so passionate about what she does, about returning. She's like a point-guard in basketball, seeing things that other people don't see. She can dodge from the top, feed from anywhere around the eight. I'm really impressed with how she's returned and recovered from such a major injury.

CARDINAL COUPLE: It looks like I'll need to brush up on some lacrosse terms before the season starts...

COACH YOUNG: (Laughter)

CARDINAL COUPLE: Discuss the eight new freshmen and one red-shirt freshmen. Are there any of them that will step in and have an immediate impact on the team?

COACH YOUNG: Absolutely. The first year class has been so important in helping change our culture, along with Janave. When you're building a program in the midwest, there's not a history or culture out here about the sport. This is the first class...from top to bottom...that has true lacrosse players in it. We've had a lot of good athletes in the past, but we were teaching them the game. This class knows the game. Kay Morrisette, from Canada, was the captain of the U19 World Cup team for Canada...a big, powerful player. You look at her and you know she's an athlete. She'll be taking the draw for us at the start of every game or goal. You just want to get out of her way. She's had a great influence on us in the fall practices and fans will notice her right away. Cortnee Daley is a high school All-American out of Philadelphia. She's a gritty, doesn't take 'no' for an answer, player who will chase you down. She has that "I'm going to grind this out" attitude, I'm going to win this game."
She has an arrogance out there, but she's a great kid.

You see our freshman out there every day, doing the work and if your a junior, you're thinking to yourself...I better step it up and do the work as well, because I don't want them taking my spot! We've got other freshmen beside Kay and Cortnee fighting for starting spots, too. We could have a potential of four freshmen starting for us.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Impressive! I'm guessing Morrisette is no relation to pop singer Alannis Morrisette?

COACH YOUNG: She is apparently! (Laughter) I have never asked her that, but they're second cousins or something. My director of operations knows more about that relationship than I do.

CARDINAL COUPLE: I guess we know what the pre-game and post-game recorded music will be this year...

COACH YOUNG: ( Laughter ) Exactly!

CARDINAL COUPLE: A wide range of geography location for the players on the roster this year, but none from Louisville. Talk about that and the talent level here on the high school.

COACH YOUNG: It's improving at a rapid pace here in Louisville. We've run a ton of camps, encourage club teams. One player has recently gone up to play Division I from here to Harvard. The players graduating now have a great work ethic and will have a big impact on DII and DIII lacrosse. They could probably play at DI schools, but will have an IMPACT at DII and DIII schools. We're starting to see some talent very possible for us to recruit here local from sophomores down to seventh and eight grade levels now. That wasn't there before.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Talk to us about the upgrade and competition level when you go to the ACC next season.

COACH YOUNG: It's pretty similar. A lot of our current opponents battle with UNC, Duke and UVA. The ACC might
be a slight step ahead. It's not dramatic. For us, it's moving from one great conference to another. Where we'll benefit it that a lot of the ACC teams are located in the hotbed for high school lacrosse. We can go to kids and tell them...you may not have been recruited by UNC, Duke or UVA, but you'll get a chance to play them, and your parents and friends may be only a few hours away from those games when we go there to play. It's a historic conference and they've been in existence since the start of D1 Lacrosse.

CARDINAL COUPLE: How important is the Louisville name, the Louisville brand when you're out on the recruiting trail?

COACH YOUNG: It's huge. When your trying to convince a family to send their daughter away from home, this far away from home...the brand does attract them and a lot of our marketing materials stress the successes of Louisville athletics. Final four appearances, Sugar Bowl. We tell them to watch our teams on TV, how they are excelling and our fantastic fan base at home games. The piece at the end that really seals the deal, though...is when you talk about Tom Jurich's vision. The humble and hungry philosophy of giving back for all you have received. We talk about the community service commitment that he installs in all of us. Parents are really inspired by that. They see their daughter is not just only going to be a Division I athlete, we want her to be a great student. She's going to give back to the community.

CARDINAL COUPLE: Give us a first-time fan primer of lacrosse.

COACH YOUNG: Think about basketball without the arena or hoop. Watch how we move the ball in transition. How we set plays. How we defend. How we score. We set picks for players. We drive from the top to score. We can run man-to-man defenses or zones. We press and try to force opponent's offenses into turnovers. Watch the power of the players on the field and listen to the leadership and help they're sharing with each other.

( We appreciate Coach Young's remarks and practices are open to the public. Louisville begins the season with three straight home games....Canisius on Sunday, Feb. 3rd., and Ohio State and Old Dominion on Saturday Feb. 9th and 16th. Join us out there! )

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Lacrosse adds nine.

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Lacrosse adds nine student-athletes for 2012-13 season


-Downs after Dark: June 16th report

Coach Kellie Young

Kellie Young is the only head lacrosse coach that the University of Louisville program has ever had. She enters her sixth season...coming in from James Madison University and building the Louisville program from scratch. 


Nine student-athletes will join the program as freshmen this fall. A look at the list shows the east coast remains an area that Louisville is still targeting...with two newcomers from Maryland, two from New York, and one each from Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ontario. No local area players are a part of the incoming class and the UofL lacrosse rosters shows no local players from the Louisville area. Currently, 12 high schools in the metro area offer women's lacrosse as a team sport. 

Boltja's back

Young was 43-24 in her first four years as Louisville's head coach before undergoing a rebuilding season last year and finishing 3-12. The Cards do return leading scorer junior Nikki Boltja and defender Monica Negron...both were second team Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association All-West/Midwest Region team selections.  


"The class of 2012 features an outstanding group of young women. They have given great thought to choosing Louisville and are passionate about representing our University and our Athletic Department at the highest level in the classroom, on the field and in life. Driven to be the best on and off the field, their talent and work ethic are bound to propel this program forward."  -- Coach Young, on the incoming freshmen. 

The Cards look to improve over a disappointing season where they went 0-5 at home and lost 9 out of their last ten games. We expect to see a return to the winning ways of Louisville Lacrosse this year and a return to the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. 2009 was Louisville last apperance in post-season play. 


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Churchill Downs ran the Stephen Foster Day racing card under the lights for the first time Saturday. A late decision to attend got us out there shortly before the third race and we changed up our normal track-visit routine....spending several hours "down on the bricks" mingling with the party-goers and would-be handicappers. 

Things were getting active and the paddock area was packed when we arrived. Night racing definitely brings  a younger crowd than usual at the Downs...not sure if they fully understood the significance and quality of the race card tonight, but they were having a grand time. 


Paul got us off to a great start in the fourth race by insisting that Brian Hernandez, Jr. would win the mile and sixteeth turf event. He's that way about Brian on the turf. He wouldn't tell me how much he bet on him until after the race...when he showed me the ticket. Risky stuff...but Twist of Silver and Brian did not disappoint, beating the field at odds of 22-1.

That definitely paid for the rest of the evening. 


There were four huge stakes races tonight: The Matt Winn, The Regret, the Fleur de Lis Handicap and the Stephan Foster Handicap. I'd like to tell you we did well in all of them, but....alas, we did not. Only Royal Delta, in the Fleur De Lis gave us a cashable ticket and it wasn't much. 


The evening did end on a good note, though when he and I invested $12 in a final race .10 cent superfecta  and got back $187 for our picks.

 Also, a very nasty spill in the 9th race of the evening in the stretch...three horses and jockeys involved. Johnny Velazquez was taken to Audubon Hospital for observation. Hate to see that stuff happen. Even more 
frustration when one of the horses was our selection and looked to be going for the lead when the mishap occurred. Mr. Producer, the Johnny V. mount that stumbled and fell was euthanized on the track. The other two horses lost their jockeys but returned to the barns under their own power. John McKee and Manny Cruz, the other two jockeys involved walked off the track with no assistance needed.


WE left after the final race but things were still thumping with the D.J. and crowd when we left. A great night for it and leaving with money in your pocket is always good...


Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there today! Whether it's a cookout, day of rest or gathering with family...enjoy it, guys. 


Sonja
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Sheridan joins Lady Cards lacrosse coaching staff

She's not to be confused with the Anne Sheridan that was the film star in the 1940's who was a pin-up girl for the soldiers in Europe and the Pacific...but she'll have an Academy Award impact on the young ladies on Kellie Young's UofL womens' lacrosse team.

Anne Sheridan has been hired as an assistant coach at UofL and the hire is a sound and sensible one. Sheridan heads to the 'Ville after three seasons at Boston University as the first assistant coach for the Terriers. She also played her college lacrosse at B.U...where she was selected to the All-American squad and was the player of the year in the America East Conference in 2005. A tough as nails goal keeper, Anne led the NCAA in save percentage in '05 and was named Goalkeeper of the Year by Inside Lacrosse.

Sheridan will be of great benefit to the UofL defense and goaltenders...particulary Danielle Pawliw. Danielle received several Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors The sophomore goaltender is one of several returning Cards that went 11-6 in the 2010 season.

Coach Young relayed the following statement on Sheridan:

"I am thrilled that Anne is coming to Louisville and joining our coaching staff. She brings a wealth of coaching and playing know-how from the America East and has NCAA Tournament experience that will bolster our continued success. Her energy for mentoring and passion for coaching will have an immediate effect and impact on our student-athletes and their overall success on and off the field.

Welcome to the Ville, Anne. The old adage that offense draws the fans but defense wins games looks to be a potential theme for the lacrosse team in the upcoming season. Charlie Strong would definitely approve.

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Angel soared high above the nets Sunday afternoon against the L.A. Sparks...helping improve the Atlanta Dream's record to 11-4 with a 89-81 win. McCoughtry scored 19 points, grabbed 8 boards and dished out 5 assists in the come from behind win for the Eastern division leading Dream.

Iziane Castro Marquez tossed in 25 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter to lead the Dream offensively. L.A. has struggled all season and even more so lately with the loss of star Candace Parker for the season.

Categorizing the Cavaliers

The University of Virginia's womens softball team is making its first ever apperance in the NCAA Championships. They'll play UofL at 4 p.m. Friday in Knoxville, TN. Let's take a look at the Cards first opponent.

The Cavs came in second in ACC league competition and faced Va. Tech in the first round of the playoffs. The Hokies were hosting the ACC Tournament and turned back to Cavs 1-0 to eliminate them from the event.

Virginia (33-21, 13-7) had two players hit over .300 for the season. Sarah Tacke (.362) and Nicole Koren (.308) They were also the Cavs leaders in home runs...with Koren knocking 12 out of the park and Tacke 10. The two also led Virginia in hits, RBI's and run scored. No word on whether they like the same music, wear matching outfits or take the same classes...

Freshman Melody Mitchell handled the majority of the pitching for Virginia and produced a 26-16 record. She has a 2.67 ERA and allowed 228 hits in 267.2 innings pitched. The Cavs staff allowed 42 home runs during the season while Cavs hitters managed 34 against opposing pitching.

It's hard to say right now who Sandy Pearsall which choose to open the regional play. Both Tori Collins and Kristen Wadwell have performed well for Louisville this year and Cavs batters struck out a total of 262 times. The Cards simply need to follow the script that got them this far. Jump on the opponent early with their offensive firepower and let defense and pitching seal the deal.

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Although the University of Louisville women's lacrosse season has ended, it doesn't mean the action has stopped at the University's lacrosse stadium. The Kentucky Lacrosse Association girls' high school state tournament will hold the finals on Thursday at UofL.

Kentucky Country Day and Collegiate will meet in the final game. KCD eliminated Sacred Heart 15-5 and Collegiate downed Ballard 14-7 in games at Assumption field on Monday.

The boys will he holding their semifinals and finals at UofL also, which begin Wednesday when Trinity faces KCD and Collegiate plays St. Xavier.

Jefferson County domination. I wonder what the elitist over at Cats Pause think about that? If they've heard of lacrosse....that is.

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Hard times for the NYRA. The not-for-profit governing body for New York horse racing is running out of money and may have to shut down after the Belmont Stakes is run. Their current cash position is in dire straights and there are doubts whether the historic summer meet at Saratoga will take place. Once again, a case of a state legislature failing to allow video lottery terminals in racing facilities. We all know the problems that has created here in Kentucky.

Trainer Richard Violette, also the president of the NYRA Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association sees a scenario where racing might be suspended in New York beginning June 6th. for two weeks. If a resolution cannot be reached in that time frame, the NYRA would close Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. The move would mean over 2,000 backstretch workers would be out of jobs and 3,000 horses would be taken off the grounds. Kentucky horse racing could be next. Less racing days, shorter field and lower prize purses are already in effect here.

The city of Saratoga Springs is hugely dependant on the influx of business created by horsemen and visitors who ascend upon Saratoga Race Course during the summer. A cancellation of racing would turn the scenic site into a ghost town.

Today is election day in Kentucky. Any candidate not in favor of allowing casino gaming in Kentucky race tracks won't be getting the vote or endorsement of CARDINAL COUPLE. Join us, won't you?

By Paul
5/18/10

Cards, Collins corral Bulls 5-0

(One last look at the 136th Kentucky Derby...a great shot from above the starting gate.)

Tori Collins pitched her second shoutout in as many days Sunday...blanking the USF Bulls in Tampa. Collins tossed a no-hitter for the first six innings of the game and finished allowing only two hits and striking out six. The win for Louisville (34-16, 13-6) cements a 3rd place standing in the Big East as they travel to UConn later this week to end the regular season.

For the Cards, another scenario of pouncing the opponent early. They started the top of the second with 4 straight singles by Colby Wherry, Jennifer Esteban, Alicja Wolny and Katelyn Mann to take a 1-0 lead, got another run on a dropped ball and used a Melissa Roth single to make it 3-0. The final run of the inning came when Vanessa James scored on a wild pitch.

The Cards tacked on an insurance run in the fifth when an Esteban single got home Mann who had earlier singled.

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Louisville lacrosse got a win on the road at Villanova on Sunday. Bergan Foley netted 7 goals and Katie Oliverio contributed 5 assists in the Cards 19-6 win over the Wildcats to end the season.

Louisville scored the first 4 goals of the game and never trailed the Wildcats. The Cards end the year with a 11-6 record and 4-4 in the Big East. The Cards lose only four seniors and have a strong nucleus returning next season with Oliverio, Foley, Liz Lovejoy, Emily Dashiell and Danielle Pawliw all returning for Kellie Young's squad.

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The UofL women's track and field team won their third straight Big East Championship in Cincinnati on Sunday. Jere Summers won the discus and hammer throws and was selected field MOP of the championship. The Cards finished 1-2-3 in the discus...D'Ana McCarty earning second spot and Lindsey Cook third. Theresa Lewis got third in the 100 meter hurdles and Chelsea Brown fourth in the 400 meter hurdles.

Written by Sonja
5/3/10

Cards split with Bulls in softball

Tori Collins pitched a two hit shutout in the first game for Louisville. The Cards (33-16, 12-6) prevailed 4-0 but narrowly lost the second 2-1 to USF.

Sophomore pitcher Tori Collins is making the most of the opportunity to be the second pitcher in Louisville's rotation with the injury to Chelsea Leonard. She blanked the Bulls yesterday in Tampa. Collins (14-4) tossed the complete game shut out...her 4th whitewash of the year and struck out six USF batters.

Louisville jumped out early against the Bulls. Vanessa James stroked a two out RBI single in the second inning with the bases full to put the Cards up 1-0.

Chelsea Bemis kept her hot bat going in the fifth with a double and Colby Wherry delivered an RBI single to increase the lead to 2-0. The Cards would finish the scoring in the 7th when Melissa Roth pounded a double, Bemis was intentionally walked and Wherry delivered another RBI single. Bemis would score the final run when Brittany York drew a walk with the bases loaded.

In game two, a pitcher's duel kept the scoreboard at zeros for 4 innings. The Bulls plated two runs when Kristen Wadwell surrendered three hits in the bottom of the 5th inning and two Cardinal throwing errors allowed USF's Cat Olnick to score the final Bulls run at the plate on a close call that Louisville head coach Sandy Pearsall charged the field to protest. Pearsall was unsuccessful on the protest and was tossed from the game by the home plate ref for arguing her case a bit too strenously.

Jennifer Estenban scored the lone Cardinal run in the top of the sixth, getting to the plate on a Jordan Trimble single.

Wadwell pitched well for Louisville in the defeat, allowing only three hits in six innings...one earned run and fanning four.

The teams play the final game of the series Sunday.

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Louisville Lacrosse visits Villanova today for their final regular season and Big East conference game. Louisville (10-6, 3-4) is 2-0 all time in games against the Wildcats and is coming off a convincing road win Friday against #19 Rutgers. Villanova picked up their first Big East win of the season Friday at home against Cincy.

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Finally, maybe Calvin Borel checked out CARDINAL COUPLE and saw his picture atop Thursday's column. Maybe we're psychic...but he guided SUPER SAVER thru the sloppy stretch to win the Kentucky Derby Saturday in front of over 150,000 soaked spectators.

Calvin, on the rail, at Churchill. A scene played out so many times in the last 15 years and the same way he won it last year with MINE THAT BIRD.

Our pick, NOBLE PROMISE gained the lead at the top of the stretch and looked to be on his way to the win when the horse stopped badly and faded to fifth.

Trainer Kenny McPeek said he would have the horse fully inspected and "scoped" (a look into the lungs to determine congestion). Jockey Willie Martinez gave NOBLE'S PROMISE an excellent ride, looked to be the one to beat but couldn't hold on despite furious urging from Martinez. Hoping that NOBLE is OK and for just a few seconds there, that one shining moment looked very attainable for McPeek and Willie.

Sonja couldn't come up with ICE BOX to complete the exacta or trifecta...but I know how trainer Nick Zito always seems to get his horses ready for the big events and included SUPER SAVER, ICE BOX, NOBLE'S PROMISE, LOOKIN AT LUCKY and DEVIL MAY CARE in an exacta box for a quite nice payout. Consequently, I am in the "doghouse" today for not sharing my knowledge with her.

Maybe cash will get me out of this one...

Written by Paul
5/2/10

Lacrosse rocks Rutgers 14-9

Louisville broke loose from a 5-5 halftime tie to take down the home standing Scarlet Knights yesterday. Liz Lovejoy aided the Cards with 4 scores.

#19 Rutgers needed a win to stay elgible for Big East tournament inclusion. Since the tournament is being played at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights came out ready to roll and actually scored on the Cards with only a few second elapsed in the game. Louisville countered with two Emily Dashiell scores and the teams went back and forth in a tough defensive battle that left them even halfway through the contest.


Liz Lovejoy caught on fire in the second half, scoring all her points after the break and Katie Oliverio finished with four goals also and three assists. The Cards jumped out early and led 9-5 and Rutgers got no closer than 2 goals the rest of the way.

The lacrosse team ends the regular season Sunday at Villanova.

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We gave you BLIND LUCK in the Oaks yesterday and she did not disappoint...winning by a narrow nose over EVENING JEWEL in the feature race of the day at Churchill. Unforunately, my exacta and trifectas didn't work out as planned...but Paul continued his hot hand out at Churchill...using BLIND LUCK on top, EVENING JEWEL in second place with a couple of other horses and putting the entire field to come in third for his trifecta. He got paid well for his efforts and also hit (2) pick threes on the day plus the late daily double. As for me, BLIND LUCK saved what had been a trying day of handicapping and close but no cigar selections.

After a wonderful sun filled, fun filled day in the infield...we met up with old friends for a leisurely dinner and I was asleep by 10 p.m.

It's rainy...thunder and lightning awoke me early and more is on the way as I write this Derby morning. Have a great day and good luck to the Lady Cards softball team, that starts a three game series against USF today. Keep swinging, Chelsea!

HAPPY DERBY DAY ALL!

Wriiten by Sonja
5/1/10

Cards sweep St. John's on Sunday

Plenty to cheer about Sunday at Ulmer Stadium as the softball Cards take two from St. John...10-7 and 11-2. Chelsea Bemis connected with a grand slam to secure the first game.

Great day on the diamond for Sandy Pearsall's softball team with the sweep of the Red Storm. The action got started early for the two teams, with a 10:30 first pitch.
In a continuation of Saturday's second game rain delay which had Louisville leading 3-0 in the bottom of the second before the skies opened up...the Cards increased the lead to 4-0 on a Vanessa James single and Kristin Austin triple. St. John's put one on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth and Louisville got a solo home run blast by James in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-1.

The Red Storm woke their bats up in the top of the fifth with five runs to grab the lead at 6-5. Chrissy Montez's three run fence clearer gave the Johnnies the lead.

Louisville came right back at St. John, though, in the bottom half of the inning. Btrittany York led off with a walk and singles by James and Austin loaded the bases.
Melissa Roth's fly out scored York to tie it. Jennifer Esteban drew a walk to reload the bags and then Bemis cleared them with her first career grand slam to give the Cards a 10-6 advantage.

The Red Storm added a run in the top of the seventh but Tori Collins got the side out with no further damage and the Cards won 10-7.

In the second game, the Cards took control early and put five runs up in the bottom of the first. Alicia Wolny blasted a three run shot and Austin tripled in the inning to provide the fireworks.

St. John was able to cut the Louisville lead to 6-2 in the third inning but the Cards produced a 4 run bottom of the third to make it 10-2 and out of the Johnnies' reach. Louisville added a run in the bottom of the fourth for the final scoring.

Collins picked up the wins in each game, in relief of Kristen Wadwell. No word yet on the status of Cards pitcher Chelsea Leonard, who is out with a knee injury while pitching earlier in the week and did not participate on Sunday.

Louisville (32-15, 11-5) goes to Tampa next for a Derby Day visit to USF. They'll play three times over two days in the Sunshine State. Bemis has been absolutely pounding the opposing pitching during the Card' home stand and we hope the hot bat continues on the road.

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On the south side of campus, Louisville lacrosse lost to #11 Syracuse 16-11. The Orange broke away in the second half from a 8-7 first half lead with four straight goals to begin the second. Louisville led early in the contest 4-1 and got five goals from Emily Dashiell and four goals from Bergan Folly in the match.

Louisville is in 6th place in the Big East standings with a 2-4 conference record. Only the top four teams of the nine member league advance to the Big East tournament that will be held at Rutgers beginning Thursday, May 6th. With only two games remaining, the Cards are mathmatically eliminated from catching 5-2 third place Notre Dame and Loyola, MD. and getting to the tourney.

The Cards do have a strong stable of returning players for next year, though...including Folly, Dashiell, Liz Lovejoy, Katie Oliverio and Danielle Pawliw.

Tough loss on Senior Day for the Cards, who honored soon to be graduates Danielle Hale, Colleen Nevin, Ashley King and Lyndsay Ward. The Cards finish the season with two on the road...Rutgers up next.

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Pre-Derby favorite ESKENDEREYA will not run in the first Saturday in May leg of the Triple Crown of racing. Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated that the 3 yr. old has a slight swelling in the left front leg and hasn't galloped in workouts the way Pletcher feels the horse is capable of.

ESKENDEREYA'S defection throws the Derby picture wide open. Sonja will be getting out her dart board, crystal ball, channelling her psychic powers and consulting with the Yorkies' on Wednesday to provide her Derby picks. As for me, I'll tell you today that I'm "LOOKING AT LUCKY", honoring "NOBLE'S PROMISE" and giving a slight "ENDORSEMENT" to a trifecta with these three possible runners.

Written by Paul
4/26/10

Cardinal lacrosse downs Connecticut 15-8

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Katie Oliverio is third in the nation in assists. She had four in the Friday win over the Huskies.

The Cards came out knowing that any chance of getting to the Big East tournament would only be possible if they won against UConn. They did not disappoint, rallying from a 4-4 halftime tie to put the Huskies away. Bergan Foley led the attack with 6 goals for Louisville (9-5, 2-3) and Liz Lovejoy added 4.

Foley is the all-time leading scorer in Louisville lacrosse and has already set a new season record for goals this year with one game to go. The Cards return to action on Sunday for their final regular season game, hosting Syracuse. If they beat the Orange, they are in the Big East tournament.

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Much has been made about the sudden decision of high school basketball star Marquis Teague to go to UK in 2011 when it appeared Louisville was the front runner for his services. CARDINAL COUPLE doesn't usually do a lot of coverage on men's basketball but there are a lot of eyebrows being raised about the 180 Teague pulled. Always hate to lose a good one and it is only a verbal. We'll see what uniform he's wearing in 2011.

Written by Paul
4/24/10

Lacrosse part of a busy sports weekend

Louisville lacrosse hosts Connecticut Friday at 5 p.m. A busy weekend for women's sports at UofL with the softball team at home against St. John, the Cards track and field taking part in the Penn Relays and...oh, yeah...Saturday is opening day at Churchill. Read below for an exciting and important announcement, too...about another way to read about and discuss UofL women's sports.

The University of Louisville lacrosse team continues Big East action with UConn coming to town for a 5 p.m. match at the Cardinals lacrosse stadium. The Cards (8-5, 1-3) are coming off a win at home against Jacksonville and UConn rolls in after losing to Loyola, MD. on Sunday.

WHAS TV will show a delayed broadcast of the match Monday 1:30 AM with Gary Fogle and Patty Norton providing the commentary. Cardinal Bergan Folly leads the NCAA in goals scored per game.

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You wanted it, you got it. CARDINAL COUPLE has joined forces with CARDINAL DOMINANCE to provide sports fans with a message board. This exciting endeavor now gives all Cardinal Fans another place to voice your opinion about UofL athletics. We have a link to CARDINAL DOMINANCE on our home page, once you get there...simply take a minute to sign up for the boards and follow the link. You'll find several links available, including the CARDINAL COUPLE women's sports board.

CARDINAL DOMINANCE is owned and operated by our buddy Shannon Rufra. He devotes a great deal of time covering UofL sports and provides top flight coverage of Cardinal football, baseball and basketball. Both Sonja and I were regular posters and are still avid readers and contributors to his site. We'll provide daily updates over there as well and we invite you to take part in the fun we expect to create over there.

Shannon has a great photo gallery up of the recent UofL baseball teams win over WKU Wednesday night and a couple of pictures of me and head basketball coach Jeff Walz. While you are there, make sure to check out the videos he has of Louisville football and baseball.

One thing is for sure, Shannon's commentary and coverage of Louisville athletics is unique, comprehensive and never boring. We are happy to be his "source in the know" for UofL women's sports and to be working with him again.

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I know, I know...it's a busy weekend ahead with the marathon, balloon race, opening day at Churchill and all kinds of UofL sports activities. Almost impossible to get to all the activities going on this weekend but CARDINAL COUPLE will definitely at opening day at Churchill. The Derby Trial, which has diminished in importance over the last several years, is once again a viable road to the first Saturday in May, and a full field of ten horses are expected to enter and try to earn a spot for the Derby. PLEASANT PRINCE, AIKENITE and EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY could gain entrance to the Derby with a win in the Derby Trial. We love EIGHTFIVEINAFIFTY but also will be on the lookout for GAME ON DUDE..a Bob Baffert horse that gets Robby Albarado in the saddle and HURRICANE IKE with Calvin Borel getting the assignment.

Happy Derby Week to you!

Written by Paul
4/23/10

Lacrosse falls to Georgetown 17-13

Shouldn't wearing a jacket like this get you a free bowl of burgoo? It's Kentucky Derby Festival time again in Louisville. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

It was a perfect afternoon for the lacrosse match between Louisville and #14 Georgetown on Sunday but the results weren't exactly what the Louisville lacrosse team wanted to acheive. The Cards started out slowly against the Hoyas and found themselves on the short end of a 15-6 score at the end of the first half.

Louisville coach Kellie Young knew that the defense had to pick it up if Louisville was going to get back in the contest and they did respond in the final half...holding the Hoyas to just two goals...but Louisville couldn't get enough shots in the net to catch the Georgetown team at the end.

Liz Lovejoy led the Cards with five goals and Katie Oliverio dished out five assists.

Louisville continues the home stand Saturday against Jacksonville. Game time is 1 p.m.

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Cardinal women's tennis wrapped up the regular season on the road against Miami, OH. and brought back a 5-2 win against the Redhawks. Mandy Brown won in both singles and doubles matches for Louisville, who evened their record to 10-10. The tennis team is idle until April 22nd. They'll travel to South Bend to participate in the Big East Championships.

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With the recent low attendance at the Derby Classic and Night of the Future Stars...events held this weekend for high school boys basketball...isn't it time to include the best senior high school girls in the area and around the nation in the event?

This debate surfaced again as several friends, Sonja and I sat with the 6200 Saturday night and watched the action in Freedom Hall. It's the lowest amount of people I've seen at the game and we've been going since the inception. The talent level was slightly down from past years..but there were still 3 Cardinal signees, 1 UK signee, and 1 IU signee playing. The UofL fans turnout was particulary disappointing. I attended the Night of the Future Stars Friday, and there were plenty of empty seats for the slam dunk, two on two and three point shooting contests over at Bellarmine.

With the low attendance for both events as a lead-in, we discussed and debated another question that surfaced about holding the Friday night event at Bellarmine University's cozy but antiquated Knights Gym instead of Cardinal Arena or the Yum Center. Bellarmine hasn't had a participant in this event as far back as I can remember...but each year they play the Friday night contests in a place with poor accoustics. You could not understand one word of the player introductions...being hyped up by a local radio station rap DJ. No problem with the revved up, hip hop player intros, mind you...but they should at least give the emcee decent accoustics so it's enjoyable and not nerve grating.

With the advent of the downtown SONJA arena, it is high time to get the girls involved in this thing. The committe also needs to lower ticket prices (preferred seating at $17 for this thing is too high for what you're receiving) and make the Friday night events free for all, instead of having to have a ticket for the Saturday night game to gain admittance on Friday. Especially in a tough economy...where the idea is to make this affordable and attended instead of holding the gun to the potential consumers' head. Group pricing, senior citizen discounts...c'mon use a little imagination here.

Getting people in to watch the Friday night festivities free just might spur them to purchase a Saturday seat, especially if you've got the girls from around the area involved in the two on two and three point contests. Attendance for Louisville, Kentucky, Northern Ky and Bellarmine women's basketball has never been higher and the McDonald's All-Star classic did the smart thing and involved the girls several years ago.

Of course...we are dealing with the Kentucky Derby Festival Committee here. New and exciting ideas are like castor oil to this bunch. At least they toned down the gaudy and garish colors of the "official Ky. Derby Festival sports coat" this year. Still think they look like a bunch of misplaced fraternal lodge convention attendees. Much is made of the countless hours of hard work that festival organizers put in each year for the Derby activities...so, in return...they have to dress like lounge singers when they make appereances at these events? Do they really need the attention that badly? Being snobby and aristocratic is one thing (and a manuever they've got down to a "t")...but looking foolish while doing it...it just makes you wonder. Derby Festival should rightly be a time for Louisville to showcase the activities surrounding Derby...not the time for a bizarre fashion show by pompous promoters of the annual event. Get matching polo shirts or maybe a logo on white dress shirt...gang.

OK, Monday Morning Arm Chair Quarterback endeth...Go in peace and be nice out there today.

Written by Paul (who isn't wearing a Derby Festival jacket and never will.)
4/12/10

Zenyatta romps in the Apple Blossom

The mare proved why she is the simply the best female in horse racing with an easy 4 1/2 length romp in Oaklawn's Apple Blossom Handicap. Jockey Mike Smith still believes he hasn't seen her best race yet.

One couldn't blame Zenyatta owner Jerry Moss if he was walking around the Oaklawn winner's circle humming the song from the movie Space Jam "I Believe I Can Fly" yesterday. Moss owns A&M Records and he's got a chart topper also in Zenyatta. His 4 year old filly seemed to have wings as she flew from last to first in the short Oaklawn stretch yesterday and blew by the competition in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Stakes at the Arkansas race track.


Maybe it's good Rachel Alexandra didn't show up to test the Street Cry mare yesterday in Hot Springs, AR. Zenyatta is running on all eight cylinders right now and it just doesn't matter if the racing surface is dirt, polytrack or even lime Jello...she confidently stalks the other horses in a race, knows when to make her move without any urging from jockey Mike Smith and then goes to work.

Sixteen wins in a row now for the horse named after a recording by The Police. Maybe she'll top the UConn women's basketball team's winning streak before she's through. No word on her next outing from trainer John Shireffs...but wouldn't it be great to have her at Churchill to maybe meet up with Rachel Alexandra on her favorite track?

Hoping for big things today in the Arkansas Derby from NOBLE'S PROMISE. Local trainer Kenny McPeek sends the hard luck 3 year old out as the probable favorite Saturday. NOBLE has had the misfortune of running against LOOKIN AT LUCKY the last several times out and narrowly going down to defeat. No LUCKY today in the Oaklawn field...but he'll face plenty of competition from DUBLIN, SUPER SAVER and NORTHERN GIANT in the 1 1/8 mile race that attracted 9 runners. Quite a rags to riches story here for the owners of NOBLE'S PROMISE...10 partners invested $1,000 each to buy the horse as a yearling. NOBLE has banked over $700,000 in earnings for the investors.

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Tough loss for Louisville lacrosse Friday to #13 Loyola at the Louisville lacrosse stadium. The Cards go down 17-10 after being tied with the Greyhounds 5-5 at the half. The Cards jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against the visitors but could not sustain the momentum and were outscored 12-5 in the second half.

Bergan Folly led Louisville with five goals but the deciding factor in the match was Louisville's inability to stop Loyola from scoring late in this one.

The Cards return to action Sunday hosting Big East foe Georgetown.

Written by Paul (who will be wearing his NOBLE'S PROMISE hat today) Happy Birthday Park!
4/10/10

Louisville lacrosse opens homestand Friday

Freshman goalie Danielle Pawliw was recently selected Big East defensive player of the week. The Plainview, NY product will tend the net against Loyola Friday at 1 p.m.

THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN...(the girls are back in town) With apologies to Thin Lizzy for the rewording of the classic rock song...Louisville's women's lacrosse team is finally off the road and ready to do battle this afternoon against the Loyola Greyhounds. Spread the word around...the girls are back in town...

(Who's Thin Lizzy? Google it and listen to a few downloads. Paul's thumbnail description of the band...They were a rough and tumble Irish hard rock band from the seventies. Give an ear to "Jailbreak" and "The boys are back in town") Whatever happened to the "wah wah" pedal, anyway?

Here's something you probably didn't know. Loyola is a member of the Big East. Don't expect the Maryland school to grace Charlie Strong's football schedule in the future or top the standings in Big East women's hoops...but they are a part of the Big East makeup at least in women's lacrosse and they visit Louisville today to kick off the Cards five game homestand. (Don't worry, Geno...you've got nothing to worry about until the cards get ready to play this upcoming hoops season. But, I digress.)

Loyola is not to be taken lightly. The Greyhounds narrowly lost to Notre Dame in their last game, falling 11-10 to an Irish goal with 6 seconds remaining in the game. Notre Dame topped the Cards 11-9 in South Bend earlier in the season. Loyola's Grace Gavin was named Big East offensive player of the week for her efforts against Cincinnati and the Irish.

Louisville (7-3) enters the game coming off a 17-10 road win against Longwood. Bergin Folly and Liz Lovejoy have been supplying the offensive punch lately for the Cards and Katie Oliverio leads Louisville with 21 assists.

Louisville is averaging 14.7 goals per game so far this season and allowing only 10.3 scores. After Loyola, the Cards will host Georgetown on Sunday. Jacksonville, Syracuse and Connecticut will also visit Louisville lacrosse stadium during the Cards' home schedule.

Admission is free for all Louisville lacrosse game. The lacrosse stadium is on Floyd Street, next to the YUM Center and not too far from the football Cards practice facilities, the Trager Center and Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

If you've never attended a lacrosse match, you're missing out on a very fast paced and exciting game. I like to refer to it as "field hockey on steroids"...there's a lot more scoring, more shots on goal and a faster pace to the game. If it had been around when I was in high school, I definitely would have gone out for the team. (We were having a hard enough time getting bodies to show up for our field hockey team back in those days and some guy named Edison was touting something called electricity.)

Get out today and support your University of Louisville women's lacrosse team. Viggo Mortensen and Charlie Sheen will be making guest apperances at the game. (Just kidding...but still show up anyway!)

Spread the word around...the girls are back in town! I'll have that song stuck in my head all day now...

Written by Sonja
4/9/10

Road Cards best ODU 12-8 in lacrosse

Liz Lovejoy tossed 4 goals in the net helding the Cards win over ODU on the road.

Thge Cards started out on fire early in the contest and took a 7-1 lead over the Monarchs. Lianne Bobal accounted for three of the points and it looked like Louisvile was on the way to a romp on the road.

ODU wasn't folding, though and Louisville got great goalie play from Danielle Pawliw with 16 saves (a school record) to hold off a late ODU charge and win the game.

The Monarchs actually attempted more shots that the Cards (33-32).

"A win is a win in the record books" UofL head lacrosse Kellie Young commented after the contest. "This team seems to enjoy stressful situations."

Louisville (6-3) ends a 8 game road trip Monday in Farmville, Virginia against Longwood.

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Keeneland opened yesterday before a record crowd for opening day of 24,734. Yeah, it was real crowded up there. SPEEDY MON, ridden by Corey Lanerie, finished last in the field of 11 in the third race. Breaking from the gate at the rail, SPEEDY MON started slowly, encountered a little bumping at the break and ran wide with no real response thruout the race. Oh,well...back to the drawing board for SPEEDY and trainer Paul McGee.

The horse racing heats up today with several major stakes races for Ky. Derby and Ky. Oaks hopefuls. Nine opponents take after LOOKIN AT LUCKY today in the Santa Anita Derby. CARACORTADO could run big at a decent price for underrated jockey Paul Atkinson.

Six Derby contenders try to make a case for the first Saturday in May in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. This one is wide open despite morning line odds of 4-5 for ESKENDERYA and Julian Leparoux.

Same for the Illinois Derby, which draws 8 contenders at a 1 1/8 mile run at Hawthorne. I absolutely love DAVE IN DIXIE here. BACKTALK will probably be the post time favorite.

SHE BE WILD is the favorite in the eight horse Ky. Oaks hopefuls field that will contest the Ashland Stakes for 3 yr. old fillies at Keeneland. NEGLIGEE, BEAUTICIAN, APPLE CHARLOTTE and EVENING JEWEL won't let her have it easy in her first race in two months. NEGLIGEE did defeat SHE BE WILD last October at Kenneland in the Alcibiades Stakes.

Written by Sonja
4/3/10

Louisville Lacrosse wins at Cincinnati

Liz Lovejoy scored four goals for the University of Louisville women's lacrosse team Tuesday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Hard to imagine anything but football being played in the venerable old facility...but the Cards road trip continues on with their first Big East win.

Louisville (5-3, 1-1) prevailed over the Bearcats 13-9 in a tough, defensive battle. The Cards struck early, scoring the first five points in the game but had to weather a late Bearcat first half rally which pulled them within four at halftime 9-5.

The teams traded goals in the second half, Cincinnati striking first to pull within three...but Lovejoy returned the favor with her third score and the Cards were able to hold onto the lead the rest of the way for the win.

The road trip continues for Louisville, playing April 2nd at Old Dominion and April 4th at Longwood. Phone home, Lady Cards...phone home!

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Add Sara Hammond to the list of possible recruits for Jeff Walz's 2011 Lady Cards basketball newbies. The 6'1" junior from Rockcastle County has Louisville, along with Kentucky, Vandy and WKU on her current list of schools to consider playing for in college. Although Sara isn't ready to make a decision until going thru off season AAU ball, she did recently comment that the Louisville staff was in constant contact with her and that Walz and the Cards were "close as anybody" and that they have been "so welcoming to me."

Hammond put up impressive numbers during her junior year...averaging 15 points and 10.8 rebounds. She also blocked 120 shots. Her Rockcastle County team won the 15th region and battled to the semifinals of the girls Sweet Sixteen KHSAA tournament.

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We were wrong about UConn in yesterday's column...thinking the Huskies would beat Fla. State by 20-30 points. They put a 90-50 thumping on the Noles. Both Maya Moore and Tina Charles have been voted on the All-American team. They advance easily to the Final Four...facing 6'8" Brittany Griner and Baylor on Sunday. Maybe Geno's Huskies should have to play with a handicap...like spotting the opponents 20 points or being forced to wear scuba gear and oven mitts while playing. Probably wouldn't matter.

The season ends for Matthew Mitchell's UK Lady Cats after falling to Oklahoma last night 88-68 in Kansas City. Early on, it looked like the Cats were going to coast to a lopsided win...leading the Sooners 12-1 and 17-4. The defensive pressure was rolling for Kentucky and Victoria Dunlap and crew were scoring at will on Sherri Coale's squad.

Momentum changes sometimes, though. Oklahoma composed themselves, figured out how to beat the UK press and started doing the one thing that wins basketball games...going to the hoop and scoring. The Sooners rallied to take the lead at 28-25 on a Danielle Robinson basket plus one and carried a 43-39 halftime lead into the locker room. Oklahoma came out huge to being the second half with a 26-5 run to take control of the game in the first fifteen minutes and lead 69-50. Quick as lightning guard Nyeshia Stevenson led the Sooners with 31 points. The Cats couldn't find the hoop in the second half...shooting 18% in the final twenty minutes.

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Remember, tomorrow is April Fools Day. Don't believe everything you hear out there Thursday. One of our favorite gags still involves posting a parody several years ago on another site that had Rick Pitino and ex-UofL women's basketball coach Tom Collen deciding to swap jobs. That site is no longer in existance...we don't think we had anything to do with it shutting down...but we got a lot of comments (both good and bad) about the parody. Some people just have no sense of humor! This year, we're taking it easy on the readers. Too worried about Paul's impending decision on whether to join the priesthood and move to Alaska or go run with the bulls in Pampalona, Spain.

(pre April Fools!)

Written by Sonja
3/31/10

Cards top Cats 3-0 in softball

Kristen Wadwell pitched three innings of shutout relief for Sandy Pearsall's Lady Cards softball team in the win at Lexington Wednesday.

The University of Louisville softball team recorded their 6th straight win over Kentucky softball with a 3 run 8th inning Wednesday in Lexington. Starter Tori Collins for UofL allowed one hit thru 5 innings and Chandra Bell for UK kept the Cards at three hits thru 7 innings in the pitchers duel.

In the top of the eighth, Melissa Roth delivered a solo home run blast with one out to give the Cards a 1-0 advantage. After Chelsea Bemis singled with two outs in the inning, freshman Alicia Wolny crushed her first ever collegiate home run to put the Cards ahead 3-0. Kristen Wadwell retired the Cats in the bottom of the eight to earn the win. She allowed two hits in her relief appearance and she goes to a 5-3 record.

The win for #18 Louisville didn't come easy. Bell was baffling Cardinal hitters for most of the game and stuck out seven Cards batters while allowing only six hits.

The Cards return home to host the Red and Black tournament this weekend. Hofstra and Michigan come to Ulmer Stadium to participate. First pitch is noon Saturday.

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#16 Louisville lacrosse returned from Oregon a 13-10 winner over the Ducks and next travels to Ohio State for a 3 p.m. Saturday contest against the Buckeyes. Kellie Young's lacrosse team is in the middle of an eight game road trip that will have them visiting Vandy, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Old Dominion and Longwood before returning back to the 'Ville for a five game home stand in Louisville beginning April 9th.


The Cards (4-0) have outscored their opponents 68-29 so far this year and Oregon is the only team to reach double figures against Louisville. Bergan Foley, a junior fron Huntingdon Valley, PA. leads the Cards with 17 goals this year and Katie Oliverio tops the team with a whopping 13 assists.

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Row, row, row your boat and shave, shave, shave your head? Four members of the University of Louisville rowing team will shave their heads Friday night at 6 p.m. at St. Agnes Parish in support of St. Baldrick Day. The event raises money for pediatric cancer support and research.

St. Agnes has a very good fish fry during the Lenten season as well, so stop by for the shaving and have an excellent fish dinner while you are there. If you can't attend, you can also support the cause by going online at www.stbaldricks.org and pledging your help. I can personally vouch that the beer is good and cold and the fish piping hot and fresh on Fridays, so get over there and enjoy.

Don't worry...attendance doesn't mean you have to join in on the scalping. I might check and see if they could take a little off the top and trim the sides while I'm there, though. (don't tell my regular barber).

St. Agnes is on Newburg Road...up the hill from Bellarmine University and across from Mulligan's Bar and Grill. Mulligan's (which used to be Kaelin's) is another place I can recommend you visit. They have 25 cent wings and pizza specials during all University of Louisville football and basketball games and a wide selection of beverages. I think they also let Cat fans in there too for televised UK events.

Written by Paul
3/11/10

Lacrosse moves up to #19

A big round of applause for the University of Louisville women's lacrosse team. The Cards are now ranked #19 in the nation. Louisville is one of four Big East teams in the top 20. An incredible acheivemnt for a program basically still in its infancy. The lacrosse Cards are still in the middle of a month long road trip and won't be back on the home turf until April. They defeated Binghamton in their last game 19-8.

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Former Lady Card basketball great Angel McCoughtry has been selected as one of twenty players on the 2010-12 USA Women's National Basketball team. McCoughtry recently finished playing in Europe and will join her USA teammates as they prepare for the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. The squad is coached by Connecticut head women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. He knows a thing or two about winning. Just as long as it isn't C. Vivian Stringer...

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CARDINAL COUPLE humbly acknowledges a communication from UofL assistant S.I.D Kim Pemberton that we are now an official media representative for women's athletics at UofL. We don't take this honor lightly...and pledge to continue to provide the best coverage we can for women's sports at UofL. Yes, we're movin' on up...

Got an idea for an article, interwiew or topic. We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment here at CARDINAL COUPLE or e-mail us directly at:

officebulldog925@aol.com

We appreciate our readers and look forward to spreading the news about the joyful noise and athletic excellence that is UofL women's sports.

Written by Paul
3/4/10

Louisville Lacrosse off to 2-0 start

Katie Oliverio in action for the undefeated women's lacrosse team. Her five assists against Manhattan set a school record on Saturday.

It is a sport few of us know much about and one that I've never played...but the Lady Cards are undefeated at it during the early season and Kellie Young has her team poised to hit the road during the 2010 lacrosse season.

The Cards recently defended the home turf with a 19-6 win over Manhattan this weekend. In this second season of lacrosse at Louisville, Louisville has emerged as one of the teams expected to make a run at the Big East title...a heady accomplishment for the team in its second season.

On her record setting accomplishment, Oliverio took the modest approach.

"My teammate were getting open, I just got the ball to them. They did the rest."

Louisville kicked off the season with a 17-5 home win against Sacred Heart (the college...not the Louisville high school team). The Cards face the mother of all road trips ahead...with eight straight games over the next eight weeks on the road...not returning to play at the Louisville lacrosse field until April 9th.

Eight teams participate in Big East lacrosse. The Cards will face Cincinnati and Notre Dame during their extended road trip and will also travel to Eugene, Oregon for a game. The Big East Tournament will be held in New Brunswick, NJ beginning May 6th.

The Cards recently signed ten talented players for the future with the vast majority of them coming from the East Coast...where the game has long been a club and high school sport.

Located on Floyd Street, next to the YUM center, Louisville's field has easy access, plenty of parking surrounding it and a state of the art scoreboard. Bleacher seating is available and admission is free for games.

If you haven't witness the exciting action on the field for lacrosse games, you owe it to yourself to take in a contest. I was fortunate enough to see the inaugural contest last year and found the action fast paced and exciting...similar to field hockey but featuring much more scoring. Louisville's next home game will be April 9th. against Loyola (MD). The action begins at 1 p.m.

Written by Sonja
2/23/10