Friday Cardinal Couple --Field Hockey faces challenges in ACC

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards Field Hockey goes to premier conference.

- Hoopin it up!

With Louisville's entry into the ACC down the road, we've been giving reports over the past few days on what the Cardinal Women's athletic team will face there.

Louisville's field hockey team faces...without a doubt...the biggest challenges and upgrade of any of the Cardinal sports squads. Men or women. Consider these facts:

-- Since 2000, the ACC has had a representative in the championship game every year.

-- Since 2000, the ACC has won 10 national championships in field hockey. Maryland (who is leaving) has five, Wake Forest three and UNC two.

-- Since 2000, two ACC teams have played against each other for the national championship eight times in the final game.

Impressive (and quite scary) huh? In 2012, Princeton broke the ACC's 10 year hold on the national title by defeating UNC.

There are only six ACC schools that play field hockey. UNC, Wake Forest, Duke, Virginia, Boston College and Maryland. The conference adds Syracuse ( a perrenial powerhouse in BIG EAST Field Hockey) next year and then Louisville...to increase it to a seven team league. Pittsburgh does not field a team (surprising, when you consider what rabid regular hockey fans the Pittsburghian natives are). Neither does Notre Dame.

Louisville's Trager Stadium is familiar ground to ACC field hockey teams. The Final Four has been held here in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. Each year an ACC school won and the last three title games in Louisville were an all-ACC final.

Louisville beat Wake Forest last year in field hockey. In Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons finished fifth out of sixth in the league (1-4) and 9-11 overall.

Justine Sowry has her work cut out for her to increase the Cardinals talent and players to meet the level of competition. And, for added fuel on a already bright flame...former UofL field hockey coach Pam Bustin is the skipper at Duke.

Going to the elite conference should definitely help Sowry in recruiting. Hopefully, the Cards will hit the ground running in 2014 and have a great opening year. With Syracuse gone in 2013, the main competition left for Louisville grabbing a championship titile in the BIG EAST is UConn and Providence. ODU (Old Dominion) joins BIG EAST Field Hockey in 2013.  

Welcome to the big time, Cardinal Field Hockey!

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Whoa! Don't look now but the women's basketball regular season is close to being 1/3rds. over. At 8-1, the Cards are flying high....but just who is doing what?

Put your books and notes under your desk...it's time for a CARDINAL WBB Pop Quiz!

All answers come from the Louisville Cardinal WBB Official Stat Sheets, found at GoCards.com (except for the ones that Timmy the Intern tried to submit and were eventually shredded. He claims he got all ten questions correct...but had every answer circled on each question...)

1) Who leads the Cards in scoring average so far?

a) Monique Reid
b) Shoni Schimmel
c) Sara Hammond
d) Morgan Fairchild

2) Who has the most rebounds for UofL so far?

a) Patrice Gates
b) Shawnta Dyer
c) Monique Reid
d) Sara Hammond

3) Which of the following opponents has not played UofL yet?

a) Austin Peay
b) UT-Martin
c) Washington State
d) Oregon State

4) Which Lady Card has the highest shooting % so far?

a) Sherrone Vails
b) Monique Reid
c) Shelby Harper
d) Lola Arslanbekova

5) What is Louisville's record in the KFC YUM! Center so far.

a) 3-0
b) 3-1
c) 4-1
d) 0-9

6) Who led Louisville in scoring against Texas A&M?

a) Jude Schimmel
b) Sara Hammond
c) Sara Silverman
d) Monique Reid

7)  What is Louisville's home attendance average?

a) 759
b) 11178
c) 10178
d) 8998

8) Which Cardinal has the highest 3-point shooting %

a) Shoni Schimmel
b) Nita Slaughter
c) Starr Breedlove
d) Shelby Harper

9) Monique Reid has led the team in game scoring...

a) Once
b) Twice
c)  All nine games
d) Zero

10) Which combo has been the primary starting lineup?

a) Taylor, Deinies, Harper, Shoni and Rucker
b) Dyer, Hammond, Vails, Reid and Shoni
c) Smith, Deines, Shoni, Hammond and Dyer
d) Slaughter, Smith, Shoni, Sherrone and Shelby


Let's see how you did!

1) b. "Shake 'Em is at 13.2 ppg.a game
2) d. "The Hammer" has 70... good for 7.8 rebs.a game
3) c. Cards play Washington State on Dec. 18th.
4) a. Sherrone Vails is 14-21 which is 66.7%
5) b. Cards are 3-1 in The Bucket.
6) b. Sara Hammond had 20 pts. against A&M
7) c. 10178. We need to bump that up, fans!
8) a. Shoni at .355
9) a. Mo had a team high 14 against Austin Peay.
10) c. Smith, Denies, Shoni, Dyer and Hammond


Legend

All 10 -- Go grab your seat next to Coach Sam and Cam! You're up on things!
8-9 -- Very good! You know your Louisville WBB! WE salute you!
6-7 -- Not bad. Keep reading Cardinal Couple and you'll get that score up next quiz.
4-5 -- Could be better. Cardinal Couple's coverage of UofL Women's basketball will help you do better!
2-3 -- Welcome to Cardinal Couple. Keep coming back and watch that score zoom next time.
0-1 -- Obviously a UK or UT fan. Thanks for playing!

Just a reminder, the Lady Cards are back in action Saturday night against Valpariso at 7:30 p.m. in the KFC YUM! Center. Be there!

WE'LL have a preview of the contest in the Saturday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE and a full recap of the action after the game.
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FIELD HOCKEY HIRES JUSTINE SOWRY

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Pam Bustin leaves UofL for Duke, Cards hire UMass's Justine Sowry.

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Preview of Lady Cards first opponent in the Duel in the Desert: Marist

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WELCOME TO THE FRIDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE. TGIF!

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Don't mind telling you that this one caught us a bit by surprise here at CARDINAL COUPLE. After thirteen years as the head coach of the UofL women's field hockey team, Pam Bustin has accepted the head coaching job at Duke University.

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Bustin, pictured right, will be replaced by UMass's Justine Sowry, pictured left. Sowry was the head coach at UMass for four years and went 58-31 there. Her teams won three A-10 titles and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. She began her coaching career at the University of Louisville as Bustin's assistant from 1998-2002. The Australia native earned her bachelor's degree in Physical Education and mathematics from the University of South Australia in 1991.

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Other coaching stops were as a USA High Performance Coach with the U.S. Field Hockey Association from 2003-2007. She also spent a year at Stanford (2003) as an assistant.

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Sowry takes over a Cardinal team that went 13-7 in 2010 but failed to make the NCAA tournament. She brings in assistants Kelly Dostal and Abbey Heard for her staff...both are former USA Field Hockey National team members.

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Bustin actually accepted the Duke job on December 7th. She commented in an official press release:

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" I am thrilled to become a Duke Blue devil. I look forward to leading the field hockey team to many successful seasons and am honored to join the Duke University Athletic family."

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She replaces Beth Bozman, who stepped down on November 12th., 2010 after Duke's 8-11, 0-5 season in 2010. The Blue Devils missed the NCAA Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Duke plays in the powerful ACC conference, where Maryland and Virginia are two of the best teams year after year in women's college field hockey.

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Best of luck, Pam in Dookie-land. Thanks for the years. We'll never forget the gracious interviews and quotes you gladly provided CARDINAL COUPLE since our inception and updates on UofL Field Hockey.

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Coach Sowry... Welcome to Louisville and here's hoping you'll keep up the fine tradition and success that UofL Field hockey achieved under Coach Bustin and create some great new successes here at the 'Ville!

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The University of Louisville womens basketball team has arrived safely in Las Vegas. We saw Jeff Walz on Facebook yesterday marvelling about the free wi-fi on the team's flight to Sin City and let's hope he didn't lose too much coin in the airport one arm bandits...

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The Cardinals will face Marist University on Saturday in their first of three games in Vegas. Here's a look on how their season has gone so far:

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Marist is 6-2 on the season, with key wins over BIG EAST member Villanova 71-60 in Philly and have also knocked off former Louisville foes Vermont and Hartford this season. Other wins were over Grambling State, Dartmouth and Boston University. Their losses have come at the hands of St. John (64-50 in Manhattan, Kansas) and SBU 45-40 at home.

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Marist averages 65.5 points per game, allowing their opponents 52.5 a contest. They are 55-166 this year from three point game (21.2 threes a game) for 33%. They have a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging 8.9 points per game or better. Players to watch:

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-Correlle Yarde. A 5'8" guard averaging 10.4 points per game. the junior is a starter and also an outside threat for her team.

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-Brandy Gang. The 6'2" junior forward is another starter and puts in 9.8 points per contest. Gang is also one of the leading rebounders for Marist. Another to watch from beyond the arc.

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-Kate Oliver. This 6'4" sophomore forward is the tallest of the Marist players and tallies 9.8 an outing in a starting role. An aggressive rebounder on both ends of the court.

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-Erica Allenspach. 5'8" senior starting guard with 8.8 points per game for Marist. Another player that will make you pay from outside.

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Leanne Ockender. The 5'10' freshman comes off the bench for the Red Foxes and this guard is one to watch if open beyond the arc, too.

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Marist is coached by Brian Giorgis, who is in his 9th season at Marist. Going into the season, Giorgis had a record of 194-62 at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference school. Giorgis got his 200th. career win at Marist against Boston Univeresity.

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The Red Foxes teams have made five straight NCAA Tournament apperances and six in the last seven years. Marist has won seven straight MAAC regular season titles and six out of the last seven MAAC Tournaments. They went 15-3 in the 2009-10 season in the MAAC, two games in front of Iona.

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SONJA SEES IT:

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So, it looks like the Cards run into yet another team with height, good guard play and three point ability. Given the scoring average for Marist, it looks like they like to 'take the air out of the ball' a bit as well. The Louisville (8-3) strategy for this season has been to go out and play their game...going for the fast break, transition scenario created by tough defense and guard awareness. The Cards probably won't top 100 point for the third time in this one but expect Schimmel and Burke to have good games against the smallish Red Fox guards. Marist's height in the paint may be some cause for concern, Louisville still isn't rebounding well enough to suit Coach Walz. An increased defensive performance from freshman Sherrone Vails would be just what the doctor ordered on Saturday and if the Cards can utilize their multiple presses to perfection with Vails on the front of the 1-2-2, they could reach another 30 turnovers created in this one. Getting Asia Taylor back on the team will help Louisville's rebounding numbers eventually...but one wonders just how much court time she'll see intially after the three game suspension.

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Can't help but chuckle when I type Red Fox in this report. I'm reminded of the late, great comedian Redd Foxx and role as Fred G. Sanford on the hit television show SANFORD AND SON. I think that Paul's truck is the original from the show...no Volvo for us like UofL CARD GAME observer's son Steve is rolling around in. Make sure and go over and vote for Steve for BIG EAST FAN OF THE YEAR at Charlie's site...www.uoflcardgame.com. You can vote once a day. Steve's in the lead in the contest so far and we're hoping he'll let us ride in the car if he wins.

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"Throw me the ball, LaMont! Get open Aunt Esther...no, Grady...roll off the pick! The "G" stands for GOAL! I'm coming to see ya, Elizabeth. It's the big one..."

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Good luck to the Cards Saturday and let's hope 'luck' is a lady dressed in Cardinal colors...

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Field Hockey to open against UConn

Tuesday CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Field Hockey draws UConn in BIG EAST Tournament

-Angel in Hungary

-Candyce Bingham in Luxembourg

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Hey, it's election day...so go out and vote for the candidate(s) of your choice. After all, it is your right to do so...and in the words of the late, great John Belushi in Animal House..."It don't cost nuthin." If Angel McCoughtry (pictured above) was stateside, she'd encourage you to go to the polls. If you don't vote, don't complain.

Pam Bustin will take the University of Louisville Field Hockey team to Connecticut to open BIG EAST Field Hockey Tournament play against those dreaded Huskies. The Cards finished 2nd in the BIG EAST and are #10 nationally. UConn finished 3rd and is #4 in the nation. Louisville won the regular season meeting between the two in an exciting 3-2 victory in Trager Stadium. The teams will meet Saturday, November 6th. at 1:30 on the George J. Sherman Family Sports complex. (Wonder if Mr. Sherman is like the Trager's or Papa John down here?)

The Cards finished 5-1 in regular season BIG EAST play but actually ended the season on a sour note by losing on the road to #1 Maryland on Oct. 30th. If Louisville can get by the Huskies, they'll meet the winner of the top seeded Syracuse vs. 4th seeded Rutgers game on Sunday, Nov. 7th. The winner of the BIG EAST tournament gets the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It's hard to fathom that all four of the semifinal participants won't end up in Field Hockey's "Big Dance"...but a Cardinal win would only improve their seeding and possibly get them a home game to start out the NCAA Tournament.

We'll try to get a few words from Pam about the tournament and an update on our Field Hockey blog for you before TEAM CARDINAL heads north.

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If it's November, this must be Europe. Angel McCoughtry is out there spanning the globe in search of basketball action. She's in EuroBall right now and playing for Hungarian team MKB Euroleasing Sopron this season. They won a bidding war for McCoughtry over her team last year (Good Angels Kosice) and a couple of other European squads.

They invested their money wisely. McCoughtry had 19 points, six boards and four steals in Sopron's first game in Group B action against Lotos Gydnia. Sopron won on the road 82-67. Also leading the way for Sopron was former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders star and WNBA player Amber Holt...who had 22 points.

Sopron led by double digits at the end of the first quarter, 14 at the half and was never seriously challenged.

Angel is still expected to be coming back to the states for the Nov. 12th. UofL women's basketball game in the KFC YUM Arena against Tennessee. Her jersey will be hung from the rafters in a pre-game ceremony.

Someone needs to buy that girl a jet! And...knowing Angel...she'd learn how to fly it and transport her former teammates and coaches over to Europe to watch her play...

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Candyce Bingham is playing this fall over in Luxembourg. She's with Amicale Steinsel and averaging 32.5 points per game so far after six contests. Shooting 50% on the year and grabbing 13 boards a game in 39.5 minutes per game. Steinsel is 2-4 on the season...but not because of CB's efforts....obviously.

Keep going to the hoop, #13.

Volleyball upsets the Bearcats

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball knocks off UC 3-2

-Field Hockey rolls over Nova 6-0

-Harmonious romps in the QE II

Lola Arslanbekova led the University of Louisville Volleyball team to victory Saturday in Cardinal Arena over the #21 ranked UC Bearcats in front of a packed house. The atmosphere was charged and frenetic as the Cards battled tooth and nail with the Bearcats over the 5 game match.

The Cards started poorly in the first game and fell behind by six early but rallied to take a 18-16 lead. Back and forth it went until Stephanie Niemer sent one of her game high 29 kills past the Cardinal defense to win it 25-23. Louisville started the second game much better and held a five point lead early but UC fought back and eventually pushed their advantage to 21-15. The Cards gained the next four points and UC took a timeout to regroup. Whatever they discussed worked...they got four out of the five final points to put Louisville away 25-20 and lead the match 2-0.

The Cards and Bearcats began the third game exchanging hitting streaks and battled to a 9-9 tie. Louisville used a 7-1 final run, though...to get their first game win 25-17. The fourth game was a tightly contested one...Louisville finally using a 6-1 run to forge a 18-14 lead and they held off a late UC rally to even the match at 2-2 with a narrow 25-22 victory. Anastasia Artemeva stepped up huge for the Cards in the fourth game with seven kills.

In the deciding game, the Cards took it to the Bearcats early and jumped out to a 6-3 advantage. UC regrouped, though and took five out of the next seven points to tie it a 8-8. Arslanbeckova took over at that point, though and produced four kills to lead the Cards on a 7-2 run that gave Louisville a 15-10 win. Arslanbeckova had 24 kills for the Cards (11-5, 6-1). It was the first conference loss for Cincinnati (17-4, 6-1) and Louisville's first win over a top 25 foe since 2007.

The Volley Cards return to the floor Wednesday in Cardinal Arena with a 7 p.m. match versus Lipscomb.

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Nicole Youman led Team Louisville to a 6-0 whitewash of Villanova earlier in the day at Trager Stadium. For the Cards, it was a case of scoring early and often against the Wildcats. Karah Nall took a penalty corner pass from Youman for the first goal just two minutes into the game. Shortly after that, Rachel Hollenbach drove to the top of the circle and batted a shot past Nova goalie Megan Goetz for the Cards next score. With 10 minutes gone in the contest, Jenna Ahern followed up a Youman miss on goal and guided the ball into the next and the Cards led 3-0.

They finished the first half scoring when Youman set up Hayley Taylor with a perfect pass to the left post and Taylor easily tallied the fourth Cardinal score.

The second half turned into a defensive struggle early and Louisville continued to keep Villanova away from the Cardinal goal. Youman intercepted a Nova feed, took the ball down the field and outfoxed two Wildcat defenders to slap one past Goetz to make it 5-0 at the twenty minute mark. The Cards added a late goal in the final minute of the game when Youman was on the receiving end of some excellent passing from Tuli Lim and Ahern and slid one by Nova for the 6-0 final.

The Cards ended with a 18-4 shot advantage and 12-1 corner edge in the game. Goalie Erin Conrad had three saves as Louisville (10-5, 4-1) clinched a playoff spot in the BIG EAST Tournament with the victory.

Sunday is Senior Day for Pam Bustin's squad. The team will honor Ahern, Youman, Lim, Nall, Hollenbach, Nikki Auker and Simone Attles following the game against Iowa. The 1 p.m start will be televised on WHAS11 television.

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WE told you yesterday that we thought HARMONIOUS would stand tall in the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II feature race at Keeneland yesterday. We were right. Joel Rosario guided the filly to a drawing away 4 length win over the 1-1/8 mile course past EVENING JEWEL to win the race at odds of 5/2. HARMONIOUS motored past the contenders midway thru the Keeneland stretch very impressively and the John Sherriff's trained filly looked much the best knocking off seven very talented foes. Close but no cigar for us, though...in the late Pick 4. After winning the first three legs of the wager, we lost in the final to a first time starter named TWINSPIRED trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Shane Sellers. Two of our final leg entries PHILOLOGY and JOJO'MOJO ran 2nd and 3rd...honestly, we thought we had a chance midway thru the stretch but PHILOLOGY just couldn't gain on the eventual winner

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The .50 Pick 4 paid $1674. Missed it by four lengths...

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Field Hockey gains two BIG EAST awards

TUESDAY AT CARDINAL COUPLE:

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-Field Hockey sweeps BIG EAST weekly awards

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-Bustin's squad travels to IU

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-WE read your mail (and then feed it to Bill the Goat)

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-They're practicing basketball

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It's a slow day for Cardinal women's sports today, but we've still got plenty to talk about. LALA, (pictured above) our cultural diversity intern at CARDINAL COUPLE is hoping a big senior year on the court will draw the attention of UofL head women's basketball Jeff Walz. She plays for the elite School for Mammals with Opposable Thumbs and averaged 14 points last year at the point guard position. Unfortunately, she fouled out of 26 of the 27 games, drew 22 technicals and left countless banana peels on the court. Coaches are working with her on not hurling the ball into the stands after a made shot or steal. She also needs to "tone it down" a little when addressing the referees after being whistled for a foul. She has great mobility, though and her hang time is out of this world.

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Cardinal field hockey players Hayley Turner and Karah Nall swept the BIG EAST weekly field hockey honors for the week ending Oct. 3rd. Turner was selected BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and Nall garnered the Defensive Player of the Week award.

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Turner, a junior...scored two goals, including the game winner, against UConn on Saturday. Both came on feeds from fellow Aussie Nicole Youman. She also had two assists in the 7-0 win over St. Louis on Sunday. She is second on the team in scoring. Her stats to date are five goals and five assists.

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Nall, from Assumption High School here in Louisville, played game saving defense against UConn and did not allow a shot against St. Louis.

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This is the third offensive honor and first defensive honor for the Cards in the BIG EAST this season. Congrats to these two for helping the Cards sweep the weekend action.

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Field hockey travels to Indiana Tuesday to face the Hoosiers in a non-conference match up. The Cards (8-3, 2-1) are ranked tenth in the nation. Today's game is the first of three on the road for Pam Bustin's squad. The IU match-up is important even if it isn't a conference match. Regional games play heavy in post-season tournament pairings and seedings and it's always good to beat a regional rival on their field. We'll have a full recap of the action, and hopefully another blog entry from the Field Hockey team for you tomorrow.

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They're practicing basketball at Cardinal Arena and CARDINAL COUPLE will have an exclusive report on how it's going with Jeff Walz's Lady Cards. Thanks to Kim Pemberton, UofL assistant sports information director and contact for Louisville women's basketball...we plan on getting several interviews out of the Wednesday visit to practice. The b-ball team started official fall practice on Sunday at 6 p.m.

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They're Playing Basketball is a great site we have linked up on the left side of our site. It's written by Sue Favor and it has lots of women's hoops info every day. She's a West Coast resident, big fan of Tennessee Vols hoops and very skilled writer.

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From the mailbag:

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CARDINAL COUPLE:

I always enjoyed seeing former Lady Cards guard Connie Neal play. What's she doing these days and how is her daughter Carsynn doing?

-Olivia D.

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Last we heard, Connie is still an assistant basketball coach at Louisville Manual High School. Neal, her family and her daughter Carsynn sat in front of us for women's basketball games in Freedom Hall. Carsynn loved the games, wearing her cheerleading outfit and was a bundle of energy during the contests. WE'VE heard that Connie checks CARDINAL COUPLE out occasionally...so maybe she'll send us an update...or one of you readers can fill us in on something additional.

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PAUL:

We enjoy reading the daily reports on Cardinal Couple and just wondered which articles and teams draw the most viewers on your site?

-Martha and Dave L.

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We cover several different sports each day but thru site traffic reports and popular subject "click on's" we can tell you that news about women's basketball is the most viewed subject here at CARDINAL COUPLE...followed by volleyball, field hockey, softball and soccer to round out the top five. The verbal announcement by Sara Hammond has received the top two "hits" in site history, followed by the verbal from Shoni Schmmel, then an article we did about Schimmel and an interview with Pam Bustin and several field hockey players came in fifth.

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Any news about Angel McCoughtry always draws well and we get a lot of hits from the northeastern part of the United States if we mention Connecticut or Geno Auriemma on the site or in our post labels.

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The middle of the week is usually when the site is most visited and Saturday and Sunday the slowest two days.

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Hi, Cardinal Couple:

Just wanted to thank you for the coverage of women's field hockey and creating a Field Hockey blog on your site. I'm a big UofL field hockey fan. Also, is CARDINAL COUPLE going to have blogs for other women's sports teams? I'd love to see one of the basketball players and softball have one too.

-Sally H.

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Thanks for writing, Sally! WE LOVE covering Field Hockey and we were tickled to death when Nicole Youman mentioned the possibility of us doing a player written blog for Field Hockey. With Pam Bustin and Lori Korte's approval, we ran the first issue...an excellent entry by Caitlin Collins and it was well received. We look forward to additional submissions.

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Whether anyone on the women's basketball or softball squads wishes to do a blog is entirely up to them. We'd love it if both do. The first step is finding a player or several to want to do it. Then, we make sure that it's OK with both the head coach and the assistant sports information director for that sport. In Field Hockey's case, Bustin was fine with the idea and Lori Korte approved it and mentioned to us that the first entry was a great one. Lori handles S.I.D. responsibilities for softball also, and she's easily accessible to us and great to work with. Kim Pemberton is the contact for women's basketball and has always been there for us when we've needed anything.

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I got a chance to talk to University of Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich at the UofL vs. Arkansas State game and he didn't call US out on the carpet about anything...so I guess we're doing OK.

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We'll see what happens. I'll ask around Wednesday and see if a Lady Card wants to take on the duties and if it is OK with Jeff and Kim.

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You can send your questions to us at psykesads@aol.com or cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

We will withhold names by request and have the right to edit, select or refuse to print any subjects, requests or comments. We rarely get any negativity, though...unless it's a UConn or UK fan trying to stir up the pot. You can also write to us at: P.O. Box 91521, Louisville, KY 40291.

Spam will be dealt with severely. We have trained chimps, they're schooled in martial arts and for good measure...we'll send Tommy Boy and a few other of the Irish Mafia along... if needed.

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.

Syracuse tops TEAM CARDINAL in Field Hockey 4-3

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE COVERS:

-Orange ousts Cards in overtime

-Volley Cards spike Rutgers

-Softball Sweep over Bellarmine

- Walz gets in frequent flyer miles

Tough loss Saturday on the road for Pam Bustin's field hockey team Saturday against #9 Syracuse...falling to the Orange 4-3 in overtime. Louisville fell behind early at J.S. Coyne Stadium...surrendering a couple of goals in the first seven minutes of the game. Lindsay Conrad, sister of Louisville goalie Erin Conrad had two scores for the Orange...who improved to 6-3 and 2-0 in the BIG EAST.

After the shaky start, the battle turned defensive, but Louisville was able to get on the scoreboard near the end of the first half when Hayley turner negotiated the Syracuse defense and smacked home an unassisted goal to put the Cards down by one.

After the break, Louisville drew first blood when Jenna Ahern scored off of a Nicole Youman pass and tied up the contest. The Cards grabbed the lead three minutes later when a penalty corner shot from Youman found its way to Haley Jurich and she slapped it past Syracuse goalie Leann Silver. Louisville couldn't maintain the advantage, though...when Lindsay Conrad tallied off a penalty corner past her sister Erin to tie it.

Syracuse put in the game winner 11 minutes into the 15 minute overtime off a penalty corner. The loss drops TEAM CARDINAL to 6-3, 1-1.

The #10 Cards invite you out to Trager Field Saturday, Oct. 2nd when they host #5 Connecticut. It's been designated as a "white out" game and they're looking to set a regular season attendance record.

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Volleyball used a strong match out of Emily Juhl and Lola Arslanbekova to sweep Rutgers 25-17, 25-16, 25-23 in Cardinal Arena Saturday. Juhl delivered 13 kills and Lola added 12 as the Cards set a season high hitting percentage of .385 against the Scarlet Knights. Louisville led from the start in the first game and handled Rutgers...thanks to four kills by Juhl.

They fell behind early in the second game but rallied behind Juhl and Brooke Mattingly to go on a 9-2 run and down Rutgers by nine. Juhl contributed six kills in the win.

In the final game, the Cards struggled early but drew at 12-12 and got a big finish from Arslanbekova. Lola scored four out of the last five points in the match to give the Cards a two point victory.

Louisville (6-4, 1-0) hosts Seton Hall Sunday in the Arena.

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Sandy Pearsall's softball sluggers swept the Bellarmine Knights in fall softball yesterday 4-0, 1-0 at Ulmer Stadium. Impressive for Louisville was freshman Taner Fowler who had three hits on the afternoon...one of them a solo home run shot in the first game.

Louisville took and early 1-0 lead in the first game thanks to a triple from Jordan Trimble...who scored on Katelyn Mann's single. They added two more in the fourth inning when Fowler doubled, scored on a Chelsea Jordan single and got Jordan to the plate on a sacrifice fly for Tehsa Payton. Fowler ended the scoring in the sixth with her solo shot.

Tori Collins tossed the win, striking out six in just three innings of work and freshman Caralisa finished the final four innings...allowing just one hit.

The second game proved to be a defensive struggle...with a scoreless effort by both squads thru six innings. Louisville grabbed the victory in the bottom of the seventh when Fowler singled, gave way to pinch runner Jennifer Esteban and she scored on a Kristin Austin single.

Connell got the start for Louisville and struck out three in two innings. Collins came on and finished for the win, allowing just two hits and striking out seven over the final five innings.

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If it's Sunday, this must be Germany.

Jeff Walz is spanning the globe in his quest for talent for the Lady Cards basketball team. Walz recently shared with CARDINAL COUPLE that he had visited with Cardinal target Erika Johnson in Seattle while out on the coast attending the Hermiston Roundup. Johnson has listed the Cards, Washington, North Carolina and California as her four schools of interest. From there it was to Europe to have a in-home visit with a post player in Paris and a drive to Germany to in-home with a 6'4" post player who is down to UofL, Gonzaga and Oregon State.

He also has an official visit set up with big time front liner Markisha Wright in Iowa. We've got the feeling that if there were basketball on the Moon...Walz would have a line on a prospect there and head out on a space shuttle for a in-home.

The gunslinger keeps tracking them down. We approve.

Catching up on the Cards

In Saturday's CARDINAL COUPLE, we catch up on current events concerning women's' sports activities on campus. Captain Picard, pictured here, is obviously quite excited about the upcoming soccer and field hockey. Also, a tough loss for the Atlanta Dream and big win for trainer Paul McGee!

Two Cardinal events taking place this evening down on the Belknap Campus. Women's soccer in an exhibition match against Tennessee at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Park. A free soccer clinic from 5-6 p.m. for boys and girls ages 5 to 13.

Louisville returns nine starters from the 2009 team, plus an exciting group of freshmen that will challenge for playing time. Not to be outdone, the Vols have ten starters back from a 2009 squad that went 8-9-3 overall last year. The regular season begins Friday, August 20th against Eastern Kentucky at Cardinal Park.

Also tonight, the annual field hockey alumnae vs. current players game will be held at Trager Stadium at 7 p.m. Pam Bustin expects around 40 former Cardinal field hockey stars to show up for the event against the current Cards. Louisville looks loaded for the 2010 season, with nine starters and 15 letterwinners returning. Tuli Yim, Nicole Youman and Hayley Turner have been named for the 2010 All-BIG EAST preseason team and seniors Jenna Ahern, Simone Attles, Nikki Auker, Rachel Hollenbach, and Karah Nall will make the Cards a tough opponent this year. Bustin's squad will also host Kent State in another preseason match on Saturday, August 21st. at 1 p.m. The Cards are picked to finish 3rd in the BIG EAST preseason poll, behind Syracuse and Connecticut.

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UofL golfer Sara-Maude Juneau fared well in the U.S. Women's Amateur tournament, held at the Charlotte (NC) Country Club. Juneau made it to the round of 16 before bowing out to fellow Canadian Jennifer Kiby. Juneau also fired a 143 in the stroke play part of the tournament...good for 8th place.

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We told you about Paul McGee's three year old filly MYHEART'SRESERVED in yesterday's column and she romped the field yesterday in the Ellis Park 1st race...winning by an easy 8 lengths. Although TWILIGHT BAY, another runner we were high on didn't win in the 2nd...we got a late tip on DUAL FORECAST in the 2nd at Ellis and Jamie Theriot guided that one to a close win over TWILIGHT BAY.

McGee's horse rated off the early speed and found another gear when the runners hit the stretch. She could have stopped for a soda and hot dog and still won this one.

A good day out at Churchill simulcasting...watching Ellis Park, Saratoga, Arlington and Del Mar. Always nice to walk out of there with considerably more than you went in with.

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Tough loss last night for Angel and the Atlanta Dream..falling to New York 90-83. McCoughtry led the Dream (18-13) with 22 points and Erika DeSouza added 21. They had no answer for Cappie Poindexter, though...the former Rutgers star lit up home standing Atlanta for 31. The Dream fell to 4th place in the Eastern Conference, 2 1/2 games back of Indiana...New York climbed up to 2nd place...1 1/2 back in the topsy turvy East.

It doesn't get any easier for the Dream, they travel to Chicago tonight to take on the Sky. Three games left in the regular season. After Saturday, they host Chicago and then Washington to finish the season.

Showtime, girls.

Conrad selelcted for USA Field Hockey squad

CONRAD MAKES NATIONAL TEAM. THE RETURN OF RACHEL. WHO WANTS $10?

University of Louisville sophomore goalkeeper Erin Conrad

has been selected for the USA Under 21 Field Hockey team. Conrad received an invitation to try out for the squad after her outstanding

goal keeping duties during the national championships with the USA Field Hockey High Performance Midwest team.

The USA team will compete in tournaments in Asia next year. For Conrad, it is just another jewel in the crown of success she has worn since her high school days.

Pam Bustin speaks very highly of her goalkeeper:

"I am so proud of her. She was persistent and diligent throughout her journey to make the squad. Not an easy journey for her...but she never gave up and achieved this great opportunity to train and play for the national program."

Conrad was the only player from UofL to be selected for the team, out of four Cardinals who received tryout invitations. She arrived on the UofL campus in 2008 and took a redshirt year.

In, 2009...she assumed the goalkeeping duties and will be a key component in the Cardinal's defense for 2010.

Field hockey is a family thing for the Wilkes-Barre, PA native. Her sister Lindsey played for Syracuse. She is one of three Cardinals to ever make the USA team...joining Janelle Avila (2006-07) and Jessica Javelet (2004-05).

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RACHEL ALEXANDRA returns to the track Saturday in the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Last seen, she was romping the field in the Churchill Downs Fleur de Lis...winning impressively by 10 1/2 lengths.

She's been training well for Saturday's race and busted 4 furlongs in 49.60 in a Monday workout at Saratoga. She'll face 6 rivals in the 1 mile race...including FABULOUS BABE and STAGE TRICK. If she handles the field as expected, she could be headed to the 1 1/4 mile Personal Ensign or the Woodward Stakes...both at Saratoga later this summer. RACHEL was the first filly

to win the Woodard last year. Steve Asmussen trains and regular rider Calvin Borel invades the Jersey Shore to take the mount.

Look out for LE MI GEAUX as a prime contender for 2 yr old fillies. She romped thru the slop at Saratoga yesterday to win the Schuylerville Stakes by 2 lengths. She rallied from far back to win the 6 furlong race and looked like she could have gone another 4 furlongs quite easily. Apprentice jockey Freddie Lenclud rode for Richard Dutrow. She pleased a lot of backers, including me, by paying $20.20 for a 2 dollar win ticket. In case you're not up on your Cajun...it's pronounced "Lemme Go!"

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Who wants $10 bucks? You have today and tomorrow to tell us why you like PANERA. Best e-mail gets the gift cards. Send those brilliant essays to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com or just toss one in the comments section here. PANERAAAA....YUMMMMM!

We'll announce the winner Monday. Don't fret if you don't win the first week...you'll have the next 4 weeks to "git er done."

Nobody asked us...but

Memphis fans practice their "happy dance" in anticipation that the Big East might come calling. Elvis must be spinning in his tomb.

With all the conference mumbo-jumbo on the back burner for a brief respite, one wonders if the BIG EAST is thinking about adding a few members to its shaky football coalition? We've said it before and will say it again...Memphis and East Carolina would be quite acceptable additions to the fold. They wouldn't immediately add much to the already strong womens' basketball, softball and volleyball landscape but the potential for growth is very positive and we enjoy our trips to Memphis every two years. ECU fans are fanatical about their football and we can see that spreading to womens' sports when you're going up against the Connecticut's, Rutgers' and Louisville's of the sports world instead of Marshall, UAB or UTEP.

Is Ron Mann the hardest working coach down on the Belknap Campus? He coaches both the men and womens' track and field squads and both teams had their highest finishes ever in the recent NCAA Championships. You the man...Mann!

Why are they playing World Cup Soccer in winter conditions? We've always associated the sport with pleasant spring, summer or fall afternoons. Temperatures in the low 40's face the athletes on the biggest stage for what the rest of the world calls football? No wonder the fans keep blowing those annoying horns...they're trying to keep their lips from freezing.

How happy is Pam Bustin...UofL Field Hockey head coach...these days? Her returning goalie, Heather Bustanoby was named to the All-American 2nd squad in preseason voting. Offensive brings in the fans but defense wins games and the Cards have a solid stopper in the net with Bustanoby.

Isn't it time for Louisville to get a WNBA franchise? The "yummy" facility downtown is rapidly taking shape...no other competing events in the city during that time of year except minor league baseball and catholic picnics and we are the national hotbed of hoops here in Louisville, right? I'd even be OK with a couple of games being played in Rupp Arena...provided that Calipari is denied admission and UK fans are forced to leave their farm animals and implements back on the acreage for these events.

Don't look now...but the back court for Jeff Walz's UofL Lady Cards looks like the Watterson Expressway during rush hour. No less than nine players could compete for starting jobs and playing time. Competition is good...and much better to have multiple options than having to play Becky Burke and Shelby Harper 40 minutes a game. No offense to Becky or Shelby...but you know they had to be exhausted out there after 40 minutes against BIG EAST competition.

(Bonus points if you can name all nine potential participants for the spots.)

Finally, shouldn't something be done about the format for the Ky. State Softball Tournament? Is it really fair to have one team play five games in one day? Couldn't this thing be spread out to a three day affair instead of two? This isn't cart golf or throwing a few balls down the lanes...it's competitive softball in 90 degree heat.
A third day of action for, let's say the final four teams, would increase the attendance numbers, hotel lodging and revenue dollars for host city and give fans of the final four a chance to show up for the finals if they have to work on Saturday.
Start it on Friday and play it thru Sunday.

Sermon ended...go in peace and drink plenty of water...

UofL Field Hockey Preseaon Preview

As we mentioned yesterday, we are excited about the 2010 UofL field Hockey season and Pam Bustin has given CARDINAL COUPLE the lowdown on Cardinal Field Hockey. Seven words for ya...Gotta go see these girls this year!!!

Pam reports:

The UofL field hockey team for fall 2010 is already gearing up. Many of the players are participating in the USA High Performance Womens' National Championships this month. There are nine regions nationally that offer U.S. High Performance training sites and Louisville is the host of the Midwest site. UofL has players representing the Midwest, Pennsylvania and Mid Atlantic regions. Pam is the head coach for the Midwest and is looking forward to coaching this team which is comprised of the regions best collegiate and future stars. U.S. squad members are also part of the regional teams and the Midwest has four of these players...including 2008 Olympian Carrie Lingo. Representing Louisville will be Karah Hall, Tuli Lim, Rachel Hollenbach and Erin Conrad. This upcoming tournament helps select the various National teams. For more info on the championships, go to:

www.usfieldhockey.com

The 2010 UofL field hockey team welcomes back nine starters and will introduce ten freshmen to Cardinal fans. This mix of returning determination and youthful enthusiasm could lead to the best season in program history. After a self-confessed underacheiving 2009 campaign, the team has re-evaluated and looked within. With their honest assessments and taking personal responsibility for the performance of the team, the 2010 spring was extremely focused and productive.

Leading the charge this fall will be field captain Nicole Youmam (AUS) and vice-captains Jenna Ahern (PA) and Hayley Turner (AUS). The three will work together to lead by example and to guide this strong group toward a championship. Both Nicole and Hayley will be coming off play in Austrailia...and Jenna has been keeping the pace throughout her summer training here in Louisville.

Jenna will be joined in the backfield by Karah Wall (KY), Cait Collins (NY) and Natasha Leickly (OH). They'll be joined by redshirt sophomore Erin Conrad (PA), who will be in the goalcage. Erin has prepared over the last two years for this responsibility and has gained valuable experience through the team's recent matches in Argentina this March and in the USA High Performance competition.

Tull Lim (NC), Rachel Hollenbach (PA) and Turner return to midfield...which creates one of the toughest midfield threesomes in the country. The forward line features Youman, Nikki Auker (PA), Amber Thomas (CAN), Simone Attles (OH), Haley and Lacey Jurich (KY) and Heather Stevens (DE). They'll give the Cards the punch and versatility needed to be dangerous.

The 10 new Cardinals bring a wealth of talent, athleticism and a great competitive spirit to the program. Meghan Ziobro (VA) steps in to challenge Conrad for goalie. Dominique Pasqualichio (PA), Katie Flannery (PA), Sophie Engelkes (HOL) and Nikki Barry (PA) will most likely contribute and develop into key backfield players. Michelle Amon (KY) and Kelsey Rosenmeier (VA) will bolster the midfield and forward spots. Jacque Gerrick (PA), Elizabeth Vance (TX), and Erin Schneidtmiller (KY) will lend their goal scoring talents to the forward positions.

The upcoming schedule this fall is a challenging one. 10 out of the 19 opponents finished the in NCAA top 20. Princeton and Maryland were in the Final Four. The Big East is always a challenge and and Team Cardinal is looking forward to competing at a National Championship level every time they step on the turf.

We'll relay The Flock's schedule and full results in the upcoming months here at CARDINAL COUPLE. A special thanks to Pam for her comprehensive preseason report and amazing accomplishments as the head coach of the UofL Field Hockey program!

If you've never witnesses a field hockey match, you need to go watch the Cards play at state of the art Trager Field on campus. You'll be hooked.