No. 19 Louisville Hosts No. 1 North Carolina on Thursday at Cardinal Stadium

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - No. 19 University of Louisville women's lacrosse returns to ACC action as they welcome No. 1 North Carolina on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on ACC Network and will be played at Cardinal Stadium.

"Any time you get to play in a premier venue like Cardinal Stadium, its outstanding for our program," said head coach Scott Teeter. "To get to do so against the No. 1 team in the country on primetime television makes its extra special."

Coming off back-to-back wins against Central Michigan and Marquette last weekend, the Cardinals are 4-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Tar Heels, who topped the ACC preseason poll, enter Thursday's game at 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in the league.

Caroline Blalock, Ally Hall and Hannah Morris enter Thursday's game with 14 goals each to tie for the team lead.

Caroline Blalock led the Cardinals with four goals in the win over the Chippewas, three of which came in the final eight minutes. She continues to lead the team with seven assists and 21 points, and is tied for the team lead with 13 ground balls.

Hall netted a career-high five goals on just eight shots in the win over Marquette. She also ranks second on the team with 17 points and third with three assists.

Morris extended her goal-scoring streak to a team-high 13 games with a hat trick at Marquette. She is tied for second in the ACC with 36 shots.

Goalkeeper Rachel Florek has recorded 67 saves on the season, which ranks first in the ACC and third in the NCAA. Her .532 save percentage ranks fourth in the conference, while her 11.17 saves per game leads the league.

Louisville is seeking its second win over a ranked opponent this season.

ABOUT THE TAR HEELS

Topping the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll with 63 first-place votes, No. 1 North Carolina enters Thursday's game undefeated after seven games, including five wins over ranked opponents. The Tar Heels concluded the shortened 2020 campaign with a 7-0 record and advanced to the NCAA semifinals in 2019 following their fourth-straight ACC title. Jamie Ortega leads the ACC and ranks second in the nation in both goals (27) and points (39). Ortega, who was named Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America and Preseason All-ACC, has recorded at least three goals in six games so far this season. Katie Hoeg, also an Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America and Preseason All-ACC selection, has 21 assists to rank first in the conference and second in the NCAA. Goalkeeper Taylor Moreno has registered 48 saves for a .583 save percentage, which ranks second in the league and fifth in the nation. Including Ortega and Hoeg, UNC landed five players on the ACC preseason polls while six earned Preseason All-America accolades. Head coach Jenny Levy, who owns a 353-117 career record in her 26th year at the helm, is a two-time NCAA champion and has been named National Coach of the Year twice.

Series History - The Cardinals will look to get their first win in program history against No. 1 North Carolina, who own a 6-0 all-time series record. This is the teams seventh overall meeting, and fourth in Louisville.

Last Meeting (March 5, 2020) - Louisville fell 19-7 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Seven different Cardinals scored in the loss, while Alex McNicholas and Ally Hall both tallied one goal and an assist. The Cardinals were out-shot 37-14, but recorded 21 ground balls to North Carolina's 19. After trailing 13-2 heading into the break, Louisville outscored the Tar Heels the majority of the way in the second half.

Date: Thursday, March 18
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Site: Louisville, Ky. | Cardinal Stadium
Video: ACC Network
Last Meeting: L, 19-7 (March 5, 2020 at North Carolina)
Series History: 0-6 (0-3 Home, 0-3 Away, 0-0)
Next Game: Sunday, March 21 vs. No. 4 Notre Dame

LAX ATTENDANCE POLICIES - CARDINAL STADIUM

All fans should enter Cardinal Stadium through Gate 7. Tickets will be available at the box office adjacent to Gate 7. Admission is free. Fans may only sit in their assigned seats as marked on the ticket. All seating will be physically distanced in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Clear Bag Policy

A clear bag policy [ https://gocards.com/sports/2018/9/7/clear-bag-policy.aspx ] remains in place at all UofL athletics facilities. Fans may bring one clear bag, either a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag, or a 12 x 6 x 12 inches clear tote bag. Fans will be asked to return non-approved bags or other items to their vehicle prior to stadium entry. Patrons are encouraged to have all items loose inside the clear bag for more efficient safe inspections. Clutch purses, billfolds or wallets cannot be placed in the clear bag.

COVID 19 Protocols

Stadium gates will open one hour prior to start time. Temperature checks will be conducted with appropriate space allowed to promote physical distancing. Anyone that has a reading of 100.4° or higher will be directed to a cool down area. After a 10-minute cool down period, a second temperature check will be conducted. If the temperature displayed is 100.4° or higher the person will be refused entry.

Masks are required to be worn at all times. Children aged five years and under are not required to wear a mask. Physical distancing will be enforced throughout the stadium.

Parking

Free parking will be available in the surrounding lots at Cardinal Stadium.

Food and Drink

Select concession stands will be open for the March 18 game versus North Carolina. Fans may not bring in any outside food or drink.

Restrooms

Restrooms at Cardinal Stadium will be open and available for public use.

Tailgating

Tailgating in nearby University parking lots is prohibited for the 2021 season.

For the latest information on Louisville lacrosse, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account @LouisvilleLax or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLLacrosse.

No. 19 Louisville Hosts No. 1 North Carolina on Thursday at Cardinal Stadium

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Players Mentioned

Caroline Blalock

Rachel Florek

Ally Hall

Alex McNicholas

Hannah Morris

University of Louisville Athletics