Cards denied women's soccer NCAA Tournament bid

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Four BIG EAST schools receive bids to NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament

-Louisville WBB vs. Texas A&M Friday night.

Someone needs to hand the NCAA a yellow card. Can we send this one up to the instant reply booth? The University of Louisville was not chosen to participate in the 2012 NCAA Women's Soccer Championships and neither was South Florida....who battled Louisville to a 0-0 tie over two overtimes and a shootout in BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinal action. The four teams receiving bids are Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame and....Rutgers? 

The first three I've listed above I have no problem with. Marquette won the regular season title, their first BIG EAST Tournament title and finished with a 16-2-2 record and went 9-0-1 in the BIG EAST. They are ranked #13 in the nation. Well done, MU!

Georgetown had a very good season also. 15-3-3 and 8-1-1 in the BIG EAST. Played for the BIG EAST Tournament title for the first time in school history. Ranked #31 by the NCAA. Another school worthy of the bid. 

Notre Dame fared well also on the season. A 13-5-2 record with a 8-1-1 BIG EAST compliation. It's their 20th. straight NCAA Tournament bid. They won the NCAA tournament in 2010. Ranked #21 in the NCAA rankings. Take your seat on the plane, Irish. 

But Rutgers? Someone explain this selection to me like I was a six-year old, please. I just don't get it.

They were 5-5-1 in the BIG EAST. Louisville was 5-3-3 and USF 6-2-2. Overall, the Scarlet Knights were 12-7-1. Louisville was 10-4-3. USF 10-5-4.

Rutgers is #47 in the NCAA rankings. Louisville #45. South Florida #52.

The only possible reason that makes any sense with regards to including Rutgers before Louisville in the tournament selection would be that they defeated the Cards in the regular season.

Obviously, that must mean more than league finishes, overall records, NCAA rankings and common sense. And, if that's the case...why bother with a BIG EAST Tournament?

Louisville got a bad break. To use a more popular term...they got hosed. Something to motivate the Cards for the 2013 season.

OVERALL RECORD       BIG EAST RECORD     RANKING

Louisville 10-4-3                 South Florida 6-2-2             Lou. #45
South Florida 10-5-4           Louisville 5-3-3                  Rutgers #47
Rutgers 12-7-1                    Rutgers 5-5-1             South Florida #52

NCAA SELECTION:  Rutgers

COMMON SENSE SELECTION: Louisville and South Florida

Someone explain it to me.

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The #9 ranked Louisville women's basketball team starts the regular season in large fashion, hosting #12 Texas A&M in the KFC YUM! Center Friday night at 7 p.m. A lot of media types are calling it the best opening regular season game this year.

We can't disagree. A&M comes in with just two starters back from last year, but a highly-ranked and talented freshman class. Louisville loaded with talent...all but Tia Gibbs and Asia Taylor ready to play and looking forward to filling the Arena.

$2 tickets available at the box office with your Kroger Plus card. No home football Saturday, so you have no excuse not to be there.

Who will start for the Cards? We were mildly surprised to see Megan Deines in the starting lineup for Jeff Walz's Cards against Eckerd...but soon found out she was worthy and capable of the nod. Given that A&M center Kelsey Bone (6'4") is likely to cause some worries for the Cards underneath the boards...wouldn't surprise us to see 6'4" Sherrone Vails draw a starting assignment, but the front-line combo of Sara Hammond and Shawnta Dyer didn't look bad against Eckerd. We expect Mo Reid to see 15-20 minutes. Cards will try to counter the Aggies' height with quickness and transition one would assume. We'll throw a lineup out and let us know what you think of it in the comments section or by e-mail.

Shoni Schimmel
Shawnta Dyer
Sara Hammond
Bria Smith
Megan Deines

It's a "Red Out" game, so dress accordingly and show up! The Cardinal fan base can be an intimidating factor to opponents'...so be loud!  Walz wants the place packed, so take advantage of this early-season opportunity to support the Lady Cards!

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

*******SPECIAL REPORT*******

Louisville defeats Providence 2-1  in Field Hockey. Erin Schneidtmiller scores the difference maker at the 49:12 mark. Goalie Erin Conrad with six saves. Cards are in the BIG EAST Tournament with the win as a #3 seed!

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- Soccer begins BIG EAST Tournament play

- Football wins soggy 34-31 thriller in overtime

Cards begin BIG EAST Tournament quest in Tampa vs Bulls

The University of Louisville women's soccer team faces the South Florida Bulls Sunday at 1 p.m. on their march to take the BIG EAST Tournament. Louisville finished 3rd in the National Division with a 10-4-3 record and 5-3-3 in the BIG EAST. The Cards won their final two regular season games against Seton Hall (3-0) and Cincinnati (2-1)

South Florida is the #2 seed in the American Division and finished with a 10-5-2 record and 6-2-2 in the BIG EAST. They lost their final regular season game to Marquette 4-0.

Louisville is lead by junior Charlyn Corral, who has 23 points on the season (8 goals, 7 assists). Next is Angelika Uremovich with 20 points (9 goals, 2 assists). Goalkeeper Chloe Kiefer has been steady in her duties this season, allowing .95  goals in 17 games.

The winner advances to the semifinals and would play the winner of the Georgetown vs. DePaul game. The semifinals and finals will take place at the Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, CT.

Good luck to our women's soccer team! Kick 'em where they ain't!

Football goes to 8-0 and retains the Keg of Nails

I don't believe I've been as wet at a football game since the Florida St. game a decade ago. Still, we made it through the entire contest and Louisville won on a overtime field goal by John Wallace after Terell Floyd intercepted a Munchie Legaux pass intended for the end zone.

Cardinal offense. Wow
Cardinal defense. Ow
Cards 8-0 now

Go CARDS Go!!

It is good to be in dry clothes....

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