Pastor Leads Cardinals to a 3-0 Win Against Duke

Saturday, September 26

LOUISVILLE, KY

1 PM

University of Louisville

(1-0, 1-0ACC)

DUKE

(0-1, 0-1ACC)

DUKE

LOU

September 26, 2020 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Chandler Brandes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Senior Mercedes Pastor recorded a pair of goals and freshman Charlie van Oirschot tallied another one to guide the University of Louisville field hockey team to a 3-0 shutout over Duke on Saturday afternoon at Trager Stadium.

With the win, the Cardinals begin the season at 1-0 (1-0 ACC) while the Blue Devils fall to 0-1 (0-1 ACC).

"Thank goodness we're playing again. It has been a long six or seven months," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "The goal was to just play, but I could not be more thrilled with the performance the team put out today. I'm very, very happy."

Louisville applied pressure quickly, but could not overcome Duke's defense throughout the first quarter. The Blue Devils were awarded the first corner of the game, but senior Hollyn Barr recorded back-to-back saves in the cage to prevent Duke from taking an early lead.

The Cardinals struck first with 23 seconds remaining in the first half. With a pass from sophomore Mattie Tabor that snuck past a pair of Blue Devil defenders, Pastor connected with the back of the net to put the Cardinals up 1-0.

The Cards continued their momentum after the break. With 5:30 left on the clock in the third quarter, sophomore Minna Tremonti's assist found its way through traffic to van Oirschot who doubled Louisville's lead with the first goal of her career.

The Cardinals then extended their lead to 3-0 two minutes later after Pastor's second goal of the game. When Pastor's attempt bounced off the left post, senior Madison Walsh quickly collected the rebound and distributed the ball back to Pastor whose shot hit the backboard.

In the game, Louisville outshot Duke 10-5 and held a 3-2 edge in corners. Between the posts, Barr concluded the game with three saves.

The Cardinals will face the Blue Devils again on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Trager Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. start time. The non-conference game will be broadcasted on the ACC Network.