Cards Stay Undefeated at Home with 1-0 Shootout Win Over Wake Forest

Friday, October 6

LOUISVILLE, KY

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

(10-1, 2-1)

Wake Forest

(4-6, 0-3)

Wake Forest

Louisville

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

Cards Stay Undefeated at Home with 1-0 Shootout Win Over Wake Forest

October 06, 2023 | Field Hockey

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Fifth-ranked Louisville notches its third straight shutout and fourth of the season

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The fifth-ranked University of field hockey team prevailed over Wake Forest 1-0 in a shootout in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Friday evening at Trager Stadium.

With the win, the Cardinals (10-1, 2-1 ACC) notch their third straight shutout and extend their 2023 home record to 6-0. Wake Forest drops to 4-6 (1-2 ACC).

The game featured a defensive battle between the teams. Louisville attacked early, but the Demon Deacons held them at bay, withstanding nine Louisville penalty corners and goalkeeper Ellie Todd collecting four saves in regulation. In turn, the Cardinals' vaunted defense did not allow a penalty corner and limited the Demon Deacons to two shots in the contest.

With the score knotted at 0-0 through four quarters of play, the game entered the first of two 7v7, sudden victory overtime periods. Louisville had a chance to score in the first extra frame, when Julie Kouijzer sent a feed into the circle, but Mia Duchars' shot sailed just wide of the cage. Both defenses continued to absorb their opponent's attack and the game remained in a stalemate.

Following a pair of scoreless overtime periods, the contest moved to a best-of-five shootout.

Louisville struck first when Izzy Bianco's shot found the back of the cage. The Demon Deacons countered with a made shot by Meredith Medvetz to even the tally at 1-1. Lara Niebler converted her attempt to give the Cardinals a 2-1 advantage. On Wake's second attempt, Faye Jansen's shot went wide of the cage. Rylie Wollerton added another goal for the Cardinals, bringing their lead to 3-1. On the Demon Deacons' next try, Louisville goalkeeper Merlijn van der Vegt made a crucial save on Nat Friedman's shot to keep Louisville's lead at 3-1. Aimee Plumb sealed the win for the Cardinals when she sent a shot over the glove of a diving Todd into the cage.

"It was ripsnorter! It was a great game," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "It was a conference game against a great opponent, so momentum is always going to shift. There were ups and downs but we remained persistent. We would have obviously liked to have put one on the board earlier. Our execution in the circle wasn't where it needed to be, but it was a gritty and resilient performance from our team. To come out at the end of the day with an exciting victory and our second ACC win makes me happy."

With a quick turnaround, Louisville will return to action Sunday when Central Michigan visits Trager Stadium for a 12 p.m. contest

NOTES:

The Cardinals' 10-1 record matches the best start in program history, last achieved in the 2019 season
Louisville is 2-0 in overtime games this season.
The last time Louisville went to a shootout was Oct. 14, 2022 when the Cardinals prevailed 2-1 over Duke at Trager Stadium.