University of Louisville
(16-5)
MICHIGAN
(13-7)
No. 5 Cardinals Beat No. 11 Michigan to Advance to NCAA Second Round
November 15, 2019 | Field Hockey
Bethany Russ scores in double overtime to lead the Cards to a 2-1 win.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Behind the heroics of Bethany Russ' winning goal in double overtime, the fifth-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team beat No. 11 Michigan 2-1 to advance in NCAA tournament play Friday afternoon at Trager Stadium.
The Cardinals (16-5) No. 7 Boston College and No. 11 Northwestern match with the winners of the first round matches meeting Sunday at 1 p.m. at Trager Stadium. The Eagles (14-7) edged Northwestern 2-1 in the other first round matchup Friday afternoon.
"We won, so we are super happy," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "But breaking it down, we feel like we put it together to play against Michigan. I thought we were fantastic in sticking to the game plan today. Then we were very disciplined with the ball on attack."
With the win, the Cardinals tied a school record for wins set in 2001. In the tightly contested game, Louisville outshot the Wolverines 10-8 but Michigan had seven shots on goal to UofL's four with both teams being awarded four penalty corners. With Russ providing offensive power in scoring both goals, UofL also got stellar defensive play from goalkeepker Hollyn Barr, who made six saves, including a crucial stop in the second overtime period, to collect her 16th win of the season. Michigan's Anna Spieker recorded two saves.
With the game in the second sudden-victory overtime, freshman Emilia Kaczmarczyk intercepted a Boston College pass and moved to the top of the circle and dished a pass to the left side where Russ, connected on a reverse stick shot with 1:46 remaining to give the Cards' victory. The goal was Russ's career and team-best 12th of the season, and Kaczmarczyk's first career assist.
"I was tempted to run the other way to give Emilia an option, but she was tracking that way," explained Russ, UofL's leading scorer. "Emilia created the opportunity for me to get in behind. She drew the defender which allowed me the time and space to take the shot. So, she did a great job. It was her movement that created that opportunity for me. I'm very proud of her for everything she did in this game. She was amazing, as well."
Michigan drew first blood in the opening quarter, with a goal from Meg Dowthwaite with just under three minutes remaining in the quarter.
"I was very disappointed they scored there in the first period," said Sowry. "I felt as if we had a lapse, but when you get to this level and have momentary lapses, teams will capitalize on that. So, I was very disappointed with them scoring, but what I was proud of was the fact that we kept sticking to our game plan and maximized our opportunities. Also, we didn't overvalue them and thinking we had to panic and hurry up thinking that we had to hurry up and score. We had plenty of time. We left it to the last couple of minutes but yes, we scored."
UofL tied it up with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter, as Russ scored off of a rebound after a penalty corner.
While Louisville has served as a host site for six NCAA Division I Field Hockey National Championships, this marks the first time the Cardinals have played at home in the first round of NCAA postseason and their first victory in the tournament overall.
Sunday's matchup against No. 7 Boston College marks the second time the ACC opponents will meet this season. The first resulted in a 3-2 win for the Cardinals at BC. The teams have met six times with Louisville owning a 4-2 edge in the all-time series.
Tournament Information:
NCAA First and Second Rounds
Louisville, Ky. | Trager Stadium
Sunday, November 17
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 1 p.m.
Ticket Information
Single Session Adult $10
Single Session Student/Youth/Senior $5
Single Session Groups $10
Single game tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.
The digital NCAA postseason program may be downloaded here.
Team Stats
Dowthwaite, Meg (8)
Assisted By: Anderson, Katie
pass at top of circle
12:41
Bethany Russ (11)
off of rebound after a corner
43:03
Bethany Russ (12)
Assisted By: Emilia Kaczmarczyk
cross from top of circle to left side re
78:14
