Field Hockey Travels to Duke for Season Opener
August 27, 2009 | Field Hockey
Aug. 27, 2009
The University of Louisville field hockey team will open the 2009 season on Saturday when the Cards travel to Duke for the first game of the Champions Challenge. U of L will face Michigan State or Delaware Sunday.
The Cardinals are coming off of a 14-7 campaign in which they earned a share of the BIG EAST regular season title and an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Louisville returns 10 starters, in including three NFHCA All-West region and All-BIG EAST Conference performers. Junior midfielder Nicole Youman led the Cards offensively with 27 points (8G, 11A), junior forward Tuli Lim had 11 goals and two assists for 24 points. Senior goalkeeper Heather Bustanoby was recently selected BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Year after posting a 14-7 record, a 1.60 goals-against average and four shutouts in 2008.
Cards vs. Duke
# 13 Louisville Cardinals (0-0) vs. #10 Duke (0-0)
Aug. 29 • Durham, N.C.
Series Record: Duke leads 5-2
Last Meeting: Aug. 30, 2008; U of L won 1-0 at Trager Stadium Scouting the Blue Devils: Duke enters the Champions Challenge ranked 10th in the NFHCA preseason poll. The Blue Devils are coming off of a 15-6 campaign and an appearance in the 2008 NCAA semifinals. Duke returns 11 letterwinners and eight starters.
Cards Against the Rest of the Field
No. 8 Michigan State: (0-0)
Series Record:MSU leads 8-1
Last Meeting: Aug. 31, 2008 - Michigan State won 6-1 at Trager Stadium Scouting the Spartans: Eighth-ranked Michigan State is coming off a 17-6 season in which the Spartans advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Delaware (RV): (0-0)
Series Record: Delaware leads 2-0
Last Meeting: August 29, 2004 - Delaware won 1-0 in overtime
Scouting the Blue Hens: Delaware is receiving votes in the 2009 NFHCA preseason poll. The Blue Hens welcome back eight starters from a 2008 team that finished 3-15.
Up Next
The Cards will play their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Louisville will play host to Indiana at 1 p.m.
