Season Outlook: The Forward Line

With the 2018 season-opener four days away, the University of Louisville field hockey team is primed to continue the success of the 2017 campaign which saw the Cardinals achieve a 14-8 overall record, advance to the finals of ACC Championship and earn their fourth-straight NCAA tournament appearance.

The Cards, who finished the season at No. 8 in the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) rankings, return 12 letterwinners and six starters from last year's team. After turning in some solid performances in a pair of preseason scrimmages in preparation for the upcoming slate, head coach Justine Sowry was impressed with what she saw from the forward line.

"I just want to give a shout out to our striker line for what we've been able to do since last season. We were young last year and they put in the work over the offseason and really believe in what we've tried to accomplish and they're lights' out the best line for us right now."

Forwards
The Cardinals will start the 2018 season with a talented and athletic, yet relatively young and inexperienced front line.

Junior Whena Munn (Wellington, New Zealand) returns as the most veteran member of the Cardinals' attack after playing in every game during her career at Louisville and producing four goals and three assists. Sophomore Madison Walsh (St. Louis, Mo. =)returns after an impressive freshman campaign in which she tallied five goals while playing in all 22 games and starting 19.

After sitting the 2017 season out due to injury, redshirt sophomore Bethany Russ (Melbourne, Australia) looks to make a return to the lineup and could see time on the forward line after scoring two goals and dishing out five assists while playing in 21 games with 14 starts as a freshman.

Fellow sophomore Mercedes Pastor will also be an exciting addition to Louisville's offense, either as a forward or a midfielder. The Buenos Aires, Argentina native was a member of Argentina's Under 21 team before sitting out last season due to NCAA eligibility provisions.

Redshirt freshman Elizabeth Allgeier (Louisville, Ky.) will compete for a starting role after working hard in the offseason which included a USA Field Hockey National Women's Championship selection. She was also impressive with a hat trick in the Cardinals' preseason alumnae scrimmage.

Freshman Katie Schneider (San Diego, Calif.) is set to challenge for a spot on the forward line. The NFHCA High School All-American also had a busy summer, earning an invitation to participate in USA Field Hockey's Under 19 training camp and the Stars and Stripes Elite Game.

Sowry also expects freshman Erica Cooper (Louisville, Ky.) to contribute to the Cardinals' attack as well as in the midfield. The local standout was a two-time all-state honoree, an NFHCA All-Region selection and listed as one of Max Field Hockey's Top 50 players.

University of Louisville Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Allgeier

Erica Cooper

Whena Munn

Mercedes Pastor

Bethany Russ

Katie Schneider

Madison Walsh

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