Soccer, Volleyball post Friday Wins

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Soccer nips Cincy in double overtime

- Volleyball sweeps in Syracuse

Whitfield's goal leads Cards to 2-1 win

It took 106 minutes, but Louisville avoided a tie with the Cincinnati Bearcats and clinched the #3 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament with a hard-fought win last night in Cardinal Park. 

"Rivalry games always bring out the best in teams and tonight was no different. You have to credit Cincy for the way they competed tonight. Our team continued to fight and persevere throughout the game and it paid off in the end."  - Louisville head soccer coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes.

The Bearcats opened the scoring in the 16th minute of the first half, Liz Miller getting her first goal of the season, off a header which floated past Louisville goalie Chloe Kiefer. That lead held as the teams went to intermission and deep into the second half. 

In the 70th minute of play, Charlyn Corral sent a free kick following a UC penalty over the Cincinnati defenders and safely into the net to record her eighth score of the season. 

Neither team could produce in the first O.T., but with just four minutes remaining in the final overtime, Casey Whitfield followed up on a missed shot attempt by Corral and scored her fourth goal of the year...tapping it in to end the contest. 

Chloe Kiefer had seven saves for Louisville (10-4-3, 5-3-3) and the Cards attempted a record 37 shots in the contest.

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Lola and Gwen spark Volleyball win

We've typed the name Lola Arslanbekova, it seems a thousand times here at CARDINAL COUPLE and she gets the kudos again today for her 18 kill effort against the Orange yesterday in Syracuse. Gwen Rucker also stepped up big for UofL with six kills and five blocks in the 25-23, 25-12, 25-18 three-set win for the Cards.

Ex-Cards coach now head man
at Syracuse

Louisville (19-3, 8-1) jumped out to an early 12-6 advantage in game one but a strong rally by the Leonid Yelin coached Syracuse team tied the game at 21-21. The Cards rolled off the next three points, though...getting a service ace from Katie George in the process...to get to set point and held on to get the two-point win.

The Cards roared out to another early lead in the second game and were never seriously challenged by Syracuse...up 17-8 and finishing the game on a 8-4 run.

Syracuse tried to rally after the break and did managed to take the Cards to a 15-15 tie. After a Anne Kordes timeout, the Cards regrouped and grabbed 10 of the final 13 points to produce the victory.

The Cards continue the road trip Sunday with a crucial match against the Marquette Golden Eagles. MU is 17-3 on the year and sits atop the BIG EAST standings with a perfect 7-0 record...heading into this weekend's action.

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Sean and Sam with Charlie

Finally, congratulations to Sean Thompson and his lovely bride Samantha Schaefer for tying the knot last night at St. Joseph Catholic Church!

I've watched the (then) little guy grow up and become a great young man who is now married to a sweet and caring girl in Samantha. The reception was at the Mellwood Arts Center and a total blast...which is why the ol' CARDINAL COUPLE is a little late this morning...celebrate good times, c'mon! Woo-hoo!
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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Cards win 2-0 vs. Butler

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Women's Soccer defeats Butler 2-0

-Field Hockey wins scrimmage over IU

-Volleyball Saturday! 

-A wonderful "Journey"

A great way for the fall women's sports at UofL to kickoff Friday...two wins in two games. Here's the scoop.

Louisville women's soccer traveled to Indianapolis to face Butler University and was victorious 2-0 over the Bulldogs. After a scoreless first half, Casey Whitfield got the Cards on the scoreboard in the 54th. minute of play...finding the net on a pass from transfer Charlyn Corral. Minutes later, Angelika Uremovich made it 2-0 Louisville, connecting on a free kick from 35 yards out. 

The Louisville defense was solid in shutting out Butler...Chloe Kiefer with three saves for her 11th. lifetime shutout. Credit goes to the defensive backs for UofL as well, turning away Butler advances time and time again. 

The Soccer Cards return to action Friday Aug. 24th against Purdue.

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Louisville Field Hockey had a successful opening exhibition Friday...downing I.U. at Trager Stadium.

Louisville won the regular scrimmage session 3-0. They also bested the Hoosiers in a 7-on-7 set 1-0 and topped the afternoon off with a 3-1 win in a shootout match.

Freshman Victoria Stratton had two goals in the scrimmage and goalie Erin Conrad provided four first half saves for the Cards. 

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Volleyball scrimmage tomorrow at Cardinal Arena. It the annual alumnae match and takes place at 6 p.m.

Louisville was picked to finish first in the BIG EAST in a preseason coaches poll, garnering 12 of the 14 first place votes. 

Lola Arslanbeckova selected pre-season BIG EAST Player of the Year. 

Great things ahead for the 2012 Volleyball squad! Season tickets still on sale...why not head out to the Volleyball scrimmage tomorrow and get your seats for the upcoming, exciting action? 

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It's very rare we do a concert review here at Cardinal Couple...this is our first as best we can remember...but Journey visited Freedom Hall last night with Pat Benetar and Loverboy...and the show was a great one. 

The Eighties returned to Louisville last night and it was four hours of non-stop hits from the three acts. 

Journey, with most of the original lineup except lead singer, was in great form and had the 18,000 in Freedom Hall rocking for two hours. Arnel Pineda manning the microphone since 2007, sounded just like Steve Perry. Neal Schon can still rock a six-string. 

Kinda weird to be back in the Hall last night...with BIG EAST banner still hanging from the rafters...and memories of Angel, Pervis, Griff and the McCray brothers flashing back to me. The music made it a fun return, though. 

Don't stop believing, Cardinal fans.

Journey is all over the nation the next couple of months. If they hit your area, go. They're worth seeing. 

Journey info and tour dates
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