Ayars Sends No. 12 Cards Past UMass

Sunday, September 1

LOUISVILLE, KY

12:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

(2-0)

MASSACHUSETTS

(0-2)

UMASS

LOU

Photo by: Adam Creech | Louisville Athletics

September 01, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score Louisville 1 - UMASS 0 Justine Sowry Interview Carter Ayars Interview Photo Gallery

Senior Carter Ayars converted a penalty stroke for her first career goal as Cards post their second shutout in a row

By: Lori Harmon

Senior Carter Ayars connected on a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter to lift the 12^th-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team to a 1-0 win over the University of Massachusetts Sunday afternoon at Trager Stadium.

"It was a battle," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "UMass is a good team. They had a tough time in their game against Ohio State, so we knew that they would be better, because they are a good team. They showed us something different than what we are used to - they put more pressure on us. We didn't know how to combat that, we were careless with the ball, they tackled us in numbers… I give UMass a lot of credit. I also give our group credit for continuing to persist, but we've got a lot of work to do."

The game featured a defensive battle which saw Louisville outshoot UMass 11-4. Six of the Cardinals' shots were on goal with UMass goalkeeper Megan Davies collecting five saves. UofL also held a 6-0 edge in penalty corners.

The teams played through three scoreless quarters before the Cardinals were awarded a penalty stroke in the 49^th minute of the game. Ayars sent the ball into the right side of the cage for her first career goal to put Louisville on the scoreboard.

With just over five minutes remaining in the game, the Minutewomen lifted Davis in favor of an extra field player, but the Cardinals' defense stood strong to ensure its second shutout in as many games. Redshirt junior Hollyn Barr (2-0) picked up had two stops to keep UMass off of the scoreboard.

UofL (2-0) will wrap up its three-game home stand against Kent State on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.