Cards Fall to No. 2 Iowa in Sunday's Top-Five Matchup

Sunday, September 19

LOUISVILLE, KY

2:00 P.M.

University of Louisville

(7-1)

IOWA

(8-0)

IOWA

Louisville

September 19, 2021 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Louisville's season-opening seven-game win streak snapped

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The fifth-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team fell 2-0 to No. 2 Sunday afternoon at Trager Stadium. The loss snaps the Cardinals' seven-game win streak and their 12-game home win streak which dated back to the 2019 season.

The top-five matchup between two 2020-21 NCAA semifinal teams, included a weather delay that lasted nearly two and a half hours and was tightly contested with a total of six green cards and two yellow cards issued between the teams.

The Hawkeyes (8-0) got on the scoreboard in the fifth minute of the second quarter as Leah Zellner delivered a shot into the top right corner of the cage just out of the reach of Louisville freshman goalkeeper Mila de Kuijer.

Iowa added another goal with under two minutes remaining in the second quarter when Ciara Smith deflected Ellie Holley's initial penalty corner shot to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Hawkeyes entered the break with the 2-0 lead after outshooting the Cardinals 8-2 with four of their shots landing on goal and holding a 2-1 edge in corners.

The Cardinals (7-1) were awarded a penalty corner in the first minute of the second half, but the game entered a lightning delay as senior Alli Bitting was preparing to the start the corner. Nearly two and a half hours later, the game resuming and Aimee Plumb's initial shot was turned back by Iowa's Grace McGuire.

Louisville would go on to earn another corner and tally three shots in the second half, but could not break through with a goal.

The Cards will return to action on Friday when Louisville travels to Durham, N.C. to take on their fourth straight ranked opponent in an ACC matchup with No. 17 Duke. The road swing will continue with a Monday matchup at No. 24 Ohio State.

NOTES:
• This marks the first time the Cardinals have been shut out since March 27, 2021 when Louisville fell 1-0 at then-No. 16 Boston College.
• Louisville's last loss at Trager Stadium was Nov. 17, 2019 – a 2-1 shootout loss to then-No. 7 Boston College in the NCAA quarterfinals.