Field Hockey Set for Season Opener
August 27, 2008 | Field Hockey
Aug. 27, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville field hockey team will open the 2008 season on Saturday, August 30 when they play No. 12 Duke at 11:30 a.m. at Trager Stadium in the first game of the 2008 Champions Challenge. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt.
No. 10 Michigan State and Delaware are set for a 2 p.m. matchup on Saturday. The consolation game will be played Sunday at 11:30 a.m. with the championship game following at 2 p.m.
Cardinal fans will also notice a new look at Trager Stadium which was recently expanded with the addition of a new concession stand, public restrooms, and video scoreboard. Construction was also recently completed on Waldman Field Hockey Complex, which houses home and visitor locker rooms and staff offices.
After a two-week stint at the Beijing Olympics with USA Field Hockey, U of L head coach Pam Bustin will be back on the sidelines as the Cards open the 2008 season.
"My assistants, Britt Broady and Abbey Heird, have been instrumental in the team's readiness for our competitive opener," said Bustin. "I am so proud and thankful for the work and energy they have offered to the squad while I was away. There is no question that we are exactly where we would hope to be to begin our fall season."
The Cardinals played in two preseason games prior to this weekend's season opener. They defeated the alumnae 8-0 on August 16 and Indiana 4-1 on August 24. Youman led the preseason offense with three goals.
Louisville, No. 17 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Preseason rankings, is coming off of a 14-6 campaign in 2007. Last season, the Cards captured a piece of the regular season championship for their second-straight league title. The Cards welcome back 13 returners and five starters including senior Lauren Schaefer and sophomore Nicole Youman, who were both unanimous selections to the All-BIG EAST pre season team.
"The opening weekend of the 2008 season has been long anticipated," continued Bustin. "With the work that the returning players dedicated themselves to over the summer and with the addition of 10 new excited Cardinals, the play has been of high standard. It is clear that Team Cardinal is ready to put their training and team spirit to the test."
