By Dalton Ray–
The number seven ranked Louisville field hockey team took on the traveling California Bears this past Saturday. The Cards would win the game 4-0 and start their home winning streak back up and improve to 11-4. Just the night before #17 Boston College came into Trager Stadium and ended Louisville’s previous home game winning-streak of 16.
At the end of the first half, Louisville’s lone goal scored was by senior Mallory Mason, she later on would add an assist. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sydney King had three saves and the defense looked strong during the first 35 minutes. Quick striking in the second half would lead the Cardinals to the win. Two minutes into the second half senior Alyssa Voelmle would score on a corner then seconds later Lotta Kahlert would knock in a rebound for Louisville’s third goal.
Dominating the possession, swarming defensively and efficient passing let the Cardinals cruise through the second half. The final blow was delivered by redshirt freshman Stephanie Bryne giving the home squad a 4-0 victory. Justine Sowry said she
“I couldn’t have asked for a better performance,” head coach Justine Sowry said. “We responded brilliantly, it was very disappointing and disheartening yesterday. It was a physical and emotional game and this was one of the first times we had to play back to back games against a pretty good opponent…we’re playing the best we have in about a month.”
Sydney King would add four more saves on corners in the second half in the shut out of the Bears.
“We had to show up today and now we’re back to protecting Trager. We’re also at 11 wins this season now and we will look to continue to set more goals for the rest of the year,” Sowry said.
With only four games left in the season the single home game will be played this Friday, October 24th against UC Davis. Taking one game at a time is one of the team’s goals in preparing for the rest of the year.
After starting the season 8-1 with the only loss against new conference foe Virginia, Louisville suffered their second loss on the road to Liberty. The team quickly turned it around and defeated number four Duke 2-1 and number 15 Michigan 2-1 in double overtime during their visits to Trager Stadium. This would earn the Cards a fifth overall national ranking and momentum heading forward.
Traveling to 13 Syracuse was next on board for Louisville and they would leave New York with a 3-1 loss. Three points is the most allowed all year by the team.
In a year that Louisville’s field hockey has been it’s best on the field, its schedule has also been one of it’s toughest. They have faced eight top 25 teams so far and including wins against number one North Carolina, number five Duke, and number eight Northwestern. Upcoming road games against 20 Indiana and 22 Michigan State will give the Cards’ their ninth and tenth top 25 collision of the 2014 season.
The program is proving it knows how to win and looks to continue its route to being a known presence in the national scene.
Photo by Austin Lassell / The Louisville Cardinal
