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Women's Soccer Has 2-0-1 Weekend In Indiana
April 06, 2004 | Women's Soccer
April 6, 2004
BLOOMINGTON, IN - The University of Louisville women's soccer team returned from the University of Indiana Sunday with a 2-0-1 record, holding Marquette, Indiana and Miami(OH) scoreless in three 45-minute games.
"This was a good day for the program. We did a lot of things very well on both sides of the ball," said Cardinal Head Coach Karen Ferguson.
The first game of the day featured a match-up against Conference USA rival Marquette. The game remained scoreless until the final three minutes when Gina Lower finished a Tara Weatherford corner kick with a left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box.
"We've really been trying to improve on our set plays this spring so it was nice to see the team be rewarded with a good goal off a corner," added Ferguson.
The victory on Sunday allowed the Cardinals to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Golden Eagles last fall.
"The last two times we've played against Marquette the games have been very competitive," said Ferguson.
"It's always good for us to play against a team with their technical ability because we have to stay very disciplined as a team defensively. This morning I thought we did that and in the process created some good scoring chances for ourselves."
The Cards' second game of the day was a scoreless tie against the host Hoosiers.
"This was a very different kind of game compared to the Marquette game in terms of style of play. We were looking forward to this weekend because we knew we'd get to see several different systems and styles of play. Indiana gave us a different look than Marquette did." Ferguson continued.
"Against Indiana both teams created some good chances to score and I was pleased with our defensive effort. Our athleticism in the midfield allowed us to dictate the play for many parts of the game and physically we matched up very well."
The day was capped off with a 1-0 victory over Miami (Ohio). Lower ran down a Miami back pass to beat their keeper and scored into the empty net in the 20th minute to break a scoreless tie.
"The goal was the result of an extraordinary burst of speed and anticipation from Gina out of the midfield." Added Ferguson.
"This was a great goal for her and it really capped a great day for her and the team."
The Cards were able to fend off the Miami attack in the final half of the game while creating more chances of their own. Twice Liz Kinny just missed scoring from close range. Kinny hit the post after receiving a Weatherford cross from the right side. Then in the games closing minutes Kinny headed a Weathford corner kick just over the crossbar.
Both goals on the day were scored by Lower who is returning to the Cardinal lineup after missing the fall season with a knee injury. Meredith Miller was in goal for all three shutouts and was strong all day.
"No doubt we had some outstanding individual performances today, especially from some players that have not seen action lately due to injury, but overall we did things well as a team. And that's why we were able to walk away with a 2-0-1 record." Ferguson noted.
"I could look out there today and see us gaining confidence and really believing in each other. This program has come a long way and I'm very proud of this group. Our goal now is to be consistent enough to give this kind of effort every time we step on the field, for practice and for games."
The Cardinals will continue their spring schedule on Saturday, April 17th when they play Dayton University at 5:00 as part of the Blue Chip Showcase in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team will close out the spring at Cardinal Park on Wednesday, April 21st against C-USA rival Cincinnati. Kickoff will be at 8:00 and admission is free.
