Busy weekend for UofL women's sports

WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND!



SATURDAY EDITION: CARDINAL COUPLE



-Soccer goes down to Pitt

-Women's tennis in Hokie Fall Invitational

-Greater Louisville Classic for Cross Country

-Volley Cards sweep UConn

-Field Hockey ready for the Huskies

It's a busy weekend for the UofL women's sports program, so lace up those low tops, get hydrated and let's jump right in and consider it "game on".

Tough loss for Karen Ferguson Dayes' soccer Cards in Cardinal Park Friday night against the Panthers. Louisville fell to 8-3 with a 2-0 defeat...losing for the first time in school history to Pitt.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty kick and Liz Carroll found the net. The Cards seemingly outplayed Pitt in the first half...holding an advantage in shots and corner kicks...but could not find the net.

Pitt finished the scoring in the second stanza when Christina Nicassio booted one in directly in front of the Louisville goal following a set up pass from Abby Baldys.

Louisville returns to action Sunday vs. WVU in Cardinal Park. game time is 1 p.m.

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Volleyball blanked home standing UConn 3-0 Friday night behind the strong arm of Tanya Lukyanenko. She muscled 12 kills past the Huskies and Louisville cruised to 25-21, 25-11 and 25-12 game victories.

Blocking and defense contributed to the sweep as well. Gwen Rucker and Anastasia Artemeva secured six blocks for Leonid Yelin's squad.

The Cards never trailed in any of the three games against the Huskies and recorded an impressive .378 in hits...holding the Connecticut team to just .021

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Women's tennis participates in the Hokie Fall Invitational in Blacksburg, VA. this weekend. The event features 12 teams and Louisville will expect big things out of Sarah Miller, Becca Shine, Mandy Brown, Julie Fellerhoff and Ameila Harris.

The Cards come off an impressive showing against Michigan State last week...when Miller and Shine won doubles competition and Brown and Fellerhoff gained runner up honors in doubles as well.

The participants for the three day event look like a Rick Pitino pre-season basketball schedule. James Madison, UNC Wilmington, Radford, ETSU, Marshall, Winthorp, Davidson, William and Mary, Liberty, Virginia Tech and UM-Baltimore County compete along with the Cards.

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Both Cross Country squads hosts the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday. A whopping 97 schools will contest the course at E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer Park. The Lady Card runners will hope to score well with Kim Grieshaber who finished second in the Navy Invitational. Both Monica Hernandez and Emily Borsare also finished in the top 12 at Annapolis.

They'll test the 5,000 meter course at Saywer. The event is the largest cross country collegiate meet south of the Mason-Dixon line. They hit the line at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday.

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Field Hockey tussles with Connecticut Saturday at noon in Trager Stadium. The #10 Cards went thru a brisk workout Thursday and we were on site to watch the ladies go thru the paces. Pam Bustin and her staff keep the girls on the go with shooting and passing drills. They try situational offensive scoring drills from both sides of the field and Bustin closely monitors the action, stopping play from time to time to point out strategies and suggestions for attack opportunities.

Watching Louisville practice with me was assistant women's SID Lori Korte. As we watched the Cards go thru the paces I had the chance to talk to Korte and found out that she is a long time Louisvillian, spending her college days at Bellarmine and coaching at Holy Cross before joining the Cardinal sports information staff.

Also busy on the field was Louisville sports performance director guru Carol Banda. She kept to a brisk pace... keeping the players hydrated, watching for any injuries and monitoring the action.

The old adage is "you play like you practice." If Thursday's work is any indication of how the Cards will do against the Huskies...Louisville looks in real good shape to win on Saturday.

Cardinal Field Hockey ready to tame Huskies

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

#10 Louisville vs UConn

We devote the Friday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE to the Saturday matchup between #10 Louisville and #5 Connecticut that will take place Saturday at noon in Trager Stadium. We're fortunate enough to have three exclusive interviews with senior TEAM CARDINAL Field Hockey Players and head coach Pam Bustin. The ladies are ready to roll and if they show the determination of Nicole Youman (pictured here) they'll send the Huskies back to Storrs on the short end of the score.

JENNA AHERN

(On the Cards 2008 win over UConn at Trager Stadium)

" I did play in that win. It was the opening of the Marshall Center and a big home win for us. We're hoping to duplicate that again."

(On the rivarly with UConn)

'Definitely our arch rival in the conference. It was a heartbreaker losing to them last year. Maybe it was the theme of the season...heartbreaking, because we had so many overtime losses. WE came out strong but a couple of minutes can lose you a game, so we need to stay strong all the way."

(On scouting this year's UConn squad)

"We need to be ready. Especially on defense, they have skilled forwards..so were looking to skill them outside, delay as best we can on defense. We definitely don't want to give up a lot of corners because they've scored well on those this year."

(Her message to CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

'Come out and cheer us on. WE want your support."

NICOLE YOUMAN

(On the 2008 win over UConn)

"It was one that you don't forget, for sure. They were ranked fourth and we won."

(On getting open to score on UConn)

"It's really a team thing. It's all about all of us working together. About getting that open shot on the goal and if that happens to be me...yeah, that would be great."

(On having an advantage if the game goes to overtime)

"I think so. Because of our passion and determination right now. We've learned a lot from overtime this year and I'd be comfortable going in to it."

(On facing players from the last couple of UConn teams)

"There are a few back from the last couple of years. They have a lot of foreign players that are in and out every couple of years...so there will be a few new faces but there are a few girls that I'll remember from last year."

(A special message to the CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"It great to have all the fans coming out. The support we've had on our Facebook page...yeah, please keep coming out and hopefully we'll put on a good game, get the win and make it worth their while."


TULI YIM

(On beating UConn in 2008)

"It was a very exciting game! It was an incredible thing...we just played so well together and it really showed. WE got the win and it was incredible.

(On what to expect out of UConn on Saturday)

"They are very skilled. They're the #5 team so it will be great competition. WE know their tendencies. WE really just want to move the ball around, I want to just get the ball to those who will score...trusting them and their abilities."

(Her message to CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"It's going to be a phenomenal game, so come out and watch. It's going to be very exciting!"


PAM BUSTIN

( On the mood, tempo and tone of the players going in to the UConn game)

"Everyone is really excited. I think that our focus is the key to this match. Having a week to prepare and having it be Connecticut....who we always look forward to playing. It's going to be a balance of keeping the energy high and keeping them relaxed as possible. We've just been taking care of our own business here every day and getting into what we have to do to combat Connecticut."

(On Youman and scoring against the UConn defense)

"Nicole Youman is obviously a very good forward and field hockey player and I'm sure Connecticut has a plan to minimize her impact on the game...but for us we've been working on our entire attack unit, so..hopefully as Nic does what she can to open up other players and maybe distract some of the defenders...we'll be able to take advantage of some of the opportunities and score.


(Do we want to see this one go into overtime?)

"No! But if it has to, we'll do what we have to do to win. Despite what the record shows, we actually played really well in our first two overtime games this year. It's just a matter of us finishing the game. I'd rather win in regulation, but if we have to win in overtime...we'll do it."

(On her pregame talk to the team)

"I think inspiration may not be the issue here. Focus and relaxation...trying to get them ready to go. Balanced...getting them ready for what they have to do to get the result they want. We don't need to be too jacked up for this game. The desire..it's gonna be there."

(To the CARDINAL COUPLE readers)

"Come on out and support us! We've been playing some beautiful hockey this season. We're ranked tenth in the nation right now and we're not satisfied with that. We've been hitting a wall...trying to break thru that tenth ranking. Hopefully on Saturday, with good focus and good support and a good game...we'll be able to climb a little bit up that ladder there.'

What else can be said? Be there, be a part of it and come to know the excitement, dedication and drive that is TEAM CARDINAL.

It's gonna be a good one. Don't miss it. CARDINAL COUPLE will have a full report on the contest Sunday and on Saturday...Paul will have a piece on his visit to practice on Thursday.

Field Hockey looks to set record

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:


-Field hockey faces #5 Connecticut


-USA defeats Australia 83-75


-Women's Golf this weekend

-McCune makes a choice

UofL has a score to settle. The field hockey team hosts #5 Connecticut Saturday noon at Trager Stadium and is looking for their second win lifetime against the Huskies in nine meetings. TEAM CARDINAL last defeated UConn in 2008 at Trager, a 3-1 win over a Husky team that was ranked #4 in the nation. Last year, a heartbreaking 3-2 loss on the road to UConn in overtime. #10 Louisville is 6-3 on the season, with losses to Duke, Syracuse and Ohio State...all by one point and all three in overtime. The Duke and Ohio State games went to double overtime.


The game is designated as a "white out". UofL is looking to set a field hockey single game attendance record on Saturday. Admission is free to the match and free t-shirts will be given to the first 500 fans thru the gates. Louisville is averaging over 1600 for home contests this year.


CARDINAL COUPLE will have interviews with Cardinal head coach Pam Bustin and several of the Cardinal player in tomorrow's report. The Cards also play on Sunday against St. Louis.


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Team USA went to 6-0 in group play with a convincing win over Australia yesterday in the Czech Republic. USA finished atop the group standings in the World Championship and heads to a quarterfinal matchup with South Korea on Friday.


It was Diana Taurasi leading the way for USA with 24 points, including several key hoops in the fourth quarter when it looked like the Aussies might make a run. USA got out early against the "down under" bunch...leading by 24 in the second quarter and 15 at the start of the fourth quarter. "Big Syl" Sylvia Fowles added 15 points and Tina Charles put back 14 in the win for Geno Auriemma's squad. Louisville's Angel McCoughtry saw limited action in the matchup and finished with 2 points. 19 year old Australian sensation center Liz Cambage led the losers with 19 points. Liz is projected to be one of the first picks in the upcoming WNBA draft. Gotta be pretty special if you bump Lauren Jackson out to power forward...


I wonder if Jeff Walz could talk her into four years of college first ?


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The UofL women's golf team heads to South Bend this weekend to participate in the W.K Warren Invitational. The two day event is hosted by Notre Dame. Sara Maude-Juneau, Anna-Karin Ljungstrom, Laura Anderson and Candice Wiley lead the wood and iron crew. There's also a freshman on the squad named Katie Petrino.

I wonder if Dad will take the weekend off and serve as her caddie for the event? The daughter of Bobby Petrino has yet to see action in any Cardinal events yet...but she was one of the top high school girls' golfers in Arkansas last year. Reports are she beats Pop regularly on the links and participated in several women's TPC events this summer as an amateur.


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Congratulations to men's soccer! They defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 2-0 yesterday in .A big win for Ken Lolla's crew...they go to 7-0-1 and are atop the BIG EAST standings. Dylan Mares followed up on a missed goal shot and put it in the back of the net in the first half and Austin Berry headed one in during the second half for the Cardinal scores.

It's always good to beat UK in anything...

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Fern Creek center Teonia McCune has committed to Wright State's women's basketball program. The 6'5" senior averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds as a junior for the Tigers. McCune holds the Fern Creek records for rebounds (33 against Male), blocked shots (17 vs. Scott County), and is 4th in the state in career blocked shots.

McCune caught the eye of UofL head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz when he arrived at Louisville and she was a freshman playing with current Cardinal Monque Reid. She slipped off the Cards radar, though...and Walz has been aggressively pursuing other post players...getting a verbal commitment from 6'5" Georgia star Quaneisha McCurty and landing UNC transfer Cierra Warren for the 2011-12 season.

Good luck in Ohio, Teonia. Having seen her play a few times, I can tell you...you don't want to drive and try the paint against her.

USA goes to 5-0 in World Championships

WEDNESDAY @ THE COUPLE HEADLINES:

-USA rolls on in FIBA World Championships.

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-Rachel calls it a day.

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-Your Field Hockey reminder.

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-Another UofL vs. UK matchup.

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Kinda of a slow period for UofL women's sporting contests yesterday and today, so we'll catch up on a few items outside of the Lady Cards athletic endeavors.

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The USA squad went to 5-0 yesterday in the World Championships in the Czech Republic. Geno Auriemma's squad had no problems with Belarus in a 107-61 romp. "Big Syl" Sylvia Fowles led the way for the Americans with 15 points and 6 boards. A 37-11 first quarter advantage put this one out of reach early and USA led 58-28 at the half.

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Balanced scoring for Geno's squad on Tuesday. Diana Taurasi tallied 14 points in just fifteen minutes, Candice Dupree added 12, both Swin Cash and Maya Moore ended with 11 and Angel McCoughtry contributed nine points in 20 minutes of action.

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The big one is Wednesday against the Aussies. Seattle Storm center Lauren Jackson leads the "down under" squad into the contest with a perfect 5-0 record. Australia won the last edition of the World Championships in 2006...USA got the bronze.

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Glad to see that two of Angel's teammates on the Atlanta Dream are playing well in the worldwide competition. Sancho Lyttle (Spain) and Erika De Souza (Brazil) are in the top five scoring totals category. Atlanta Dream head coach Marynell Meadows is an assistant coach for the USA squad. All we need is the Miller twins to have a family reunion.

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2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has hung up the saddle and retired to the breeding shed. The 4 year old filly will be bred to racing superstar Curlin. Although her 2010 races weren't always up to the standards we expected after her 2009 domination of the competition, the filly will forever have a place in my (and many others) heart for her breath-taking 20 length win in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. I'll put only one race in history above that effort...Secretariat's destruction of the 1973 Bemont Stakes field.

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Shame we'll never get the Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra matchup that fans clamored for. Rachel owes horse racing nothing, though...and we wish her the best of luck as a mare.

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Men's soccer travels to Lexington for another chapter in the Cards vs. Cats rivalry. Ken Lolla takes the Cards (5-0-2) to face a UK team that has forced overtime in five out of their last six matches. The Cats (3-4-1) start six freshmen in UK coach Ian Collins youth movement. Louisville is ranked #6 in the nation by College Soccer News.

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Have you made your plans for the noon Saturday Field Hockey showdown between #9 Louisville and #5 Connecticut? It's less than 72 hours away and it's a "white out" event. UofL is trying to set a single game attendance for the contest...so get there early for a good seat.

We'll be doing interviews with UofL head Field Hockey coach Pam Bustin and several of the stick swinging Cards tomorrow and we'll post them in the Friday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Thanks to women's athletic assistant S.I.D. Lori Korte for making the necessary arrangements and the UofL Field Hockey team for making themselves available.

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I wonder if I need to wear shin guards to the field?

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Mental note to me to see if I can find Sonja's old field hockey gear and load it up in the Villager just in case. Maybe they'll let me take a few shots on goal at Cardinal goalie Erin Conrad. Maybe I should pass if they do. No need to embarass myself anymore than I usually do...

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If you like what you see Saturday, c'mon back Sunday for another field hockey contest Team Cardinal faces the St. Louis Billikins at 1 p.m. at Trager Field.

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Nice job, Courier Journal. They list the Sunday game in their Seven-Day Planner in the sports section but make no mention of the Saturday game. I'm sure that's because they figured everyone knew about it already, right?

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Makes me wonder if some of our CARDINAL COUPLE chimps are moonlighting over there at the "One Great Newspaper"?