Field Hockey Finalizes 2008 Schedule
February 25, 2008 | Field Hockey
Feb. 25, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- - University of Louisville field hockey head coach, Pam Bustin announced the 2008 fall schedule. The slate features eight top 20 teams from the 2007 season, including NCAA semifinalist Connecticut. Louisville has also been selected as the host site for the 2008 NCAA Field Hockey Championship Nov. 21-23. This marks the third time that Trager Stadium has hosted the field hockey national championship.
"This is a schedule that will challenge our young, but talented team. We consider this level of competition an opportunity to develop and grow into a national contender as we are tested throughout the year," said U of L head coach Pam Bustin.
The Cardinals will have plenty of opportunities to get comfortable playing at home with a schedule that includes 11 contests in the friendly confines of Trager Stadium. They begin the 2008 season with a stretch of home contests, hosting the Champions Challenge against No. 12 Duke, Delaware, and No. 8 Michigan State. The Cards move on to face the 2007 Mid-American Conference champions and 15th - ranked, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Trager Stadium. U of L will take on Ohio State September 10 at 3:00 pm., to close out the home stand.
"We're really excited to have so many home games this season, it is truly a welcomed surprise. Our opening weekend against Duke, Michigan State and Delaware during the Champions Challenge will provide exactly the type of competitve start that we want," said Bustin. "We will also host several great programs including Ohio State, Connecticut, Iowa and James Madison."
On the road, the Cards will meet No. 18 Virginia, in Charlottesville on Sept. 14 and will open BIG EAST Conference play at Syracuse on Sept. 19.
Returning home, U of L faces end of September challenges as they host 2008 BIG EAST Conference tournament champion Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Huskies ended 2007 at No. 4 in the Field Hockey Coaches Poll. The following afternoon the Cardinals face 5th- ranked Iowa at Trager Stadium.
Heading into October the Cards run into more BIG EAST conference play. U of L will travel to New Jersey, meeting up with Rutgers on Oct. 3. Louisville will play their third BIG EAST opponent, Villanova on Friday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 p.m at Trager Stadium. The Cardinals take a break from league play on Oct. 12, when they match up at home with James Madision University.
Back on the road, U of L takes on BIG EAST foe Providence on Oct. 18 and will travel to Dartmouth on Oct. 19. The Cards will face Robert Morris and Northwestern in a pair of home contests Oct. 24 and 26 respectively. After visiting Indiana for an Oct. 29 matchup, Louisville will complete conference play at home against Georgetown on Nov. 1 at 1 p.m.
The BIG EAST Championship will be held on November 7-9 in Hartford, Conn. and the NCAA Regional competition is slated for November 14-16. For the third time since 2002, Louisville has been selected to host the NCAA Field Hockey Championships. The semifinals and finals will take place at Nov. 21-23 at Trager Stadium.
"We are excited to again be chosen to host the NCAA field hockey final four," said Bustin. "Trager Stadium is one of the finest facilities in the nation, the Louisville community shows tremendous support for the sport of field hockey and our staff does an excellent job of hosting events. With the top four teams in the nation competing for the national title, it will be a showcase of the best that college field hockey has to offer."
The Cardinals finished the 2007 season with a 14-6 overall record, including a 5-1 mark in BIG EAST Conference play, clinching a share of the regular season title along with Connecticut. Louisville will return 13 letterwinners from that team, but only four upperclassmen. The Cards also welcome 10 freshmen to the 2008 team.
