Cardinals Read: Highly Ranked No. 10 Cardinals Geared Up for Epic Showdown against No. 8 Iowa in NCAA First Round

The No. 10-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team is gearing up to open NCAA tournament play against No. 8 Iowa this Friday. The match is set to take place at 3:30 p.m. (ET) at Northwestern’s Lakeside Field.

Louisville enters the tournament with a solid 14-6 overall record, despite recently falling 1-0 to third-ranked Duke in the semifinals of the ACC Championship. The team secured the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament with a 3-3 record against ACC opponents.

Mia Duchars earned a spot in the All-ACC first team, while Emilia Kaczmarczyk and Julie Kouijzer were named to the second team. Rylie Wollerton and Merlijn van der Vegt showcased their skills and were both named to the ACC All-Tournament Team for their contributions in leading the Cardinals to the semifinals.

The Cardinals have demonstrated their offensive prowess throughout the season, scoring a total of 33 goals. What’s impressive is that these goals have come from 12 different players, showcasing the team’s depth. Leading the goal-scoring charge are Aimee Plumb, Emilia Kaczmarczyk, and Rylie Wollerton, all with five goals apiece.

In the goalkeeping department, Merlijn van der Vegt has been a standout player, boasting a 1.01 goals against average. Her performance ranks her second in the ACC and fifth in the nation.

This NCAA tournament marks the 13th season for head coach Justine Sowry. Under her leadership, Louisville has achieved an impressive 179-81 record, securing nine NCAA tournament appearances and reaching the quarterfinals twice. In the 2020-21 season, the Cardinals made history by advancing to the semifinals for the first time. Sowry earned ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2021, and Louisville has claimed three conference titles under her guidance.

The upcoming matchup against Iowa will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Hawkeyes emerged victorious in their previous encounter on October 15, defeating Louisville 2-1 at Trager Stadium. The Cardinals will also return to Northwestern’s Lakeside Field, where they secured a win earlier in the season against the host Wildcats.

In terms of NCAA tournament history, Louisville is no stranger to the competition. This will be their fifth consecutive appearance and 12th overall. In 2020, the Cardinals made waves by reaching the semifinals for the first time in program history.

It’s worth noting that the ACC has proven its strength in field hockey, with five teams from the conference earning spots in the NCAA tournament. North Carolina claimed the overall top seed, while Duke holds the No. 2 seed. Louisville, along with Virginia and Syracuse, secured at-large bids.

In their recent loss to Duke in the ACC Championship semifinals, the Cardinals showcased their determination, outshooting the Blue Devils 10-6 and dominating in penalty corners with a 7-3 advantage. However, they were unable to convert their opportunities, as Duke goalkeeper Piper Hampsch made six saves to keep Louisville scoreless for only the second time this season.

The clash between Louisville and Iowa in the NCAA tournament is sure to be an intense battle, as both teams look to prove their worth and advance to the quarterfinals. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Louisville can avenge their earlier loss to Iowa and make a deep run in the tournament.