No. 7 Cards Defeat Eagles 3-1

Sunday, September 1

Washington, D.C.

1:00 PM

University of Louisville

(1-1)

American University

(0-2)

LOU

American

September 01, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Sophia Parker scores her second goal of the season, Rylie Wollerton tallies a pair of goals to help Louisville overcome a 1-0 deficit

By: Lori Harmon

WASHINGTON D.C. – The seventh-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team defeated host American University 3-1 Sunday at Jacobs Recreational Complex.

Sophia Parker scored her second goal in as many games and Rylie Wollerton added a pair of goals as the Cardinals (1-1) overcame a 1-0 deficit in the 3-1 victory. Goalkeeper Emily Young collected one stop in her first collegiate win.

"Great to get our first win against a tough and quality opponent in American," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "They hit us early and we were very passive and reactive. We came out in the second half playing the hockey we like to see, working harder defensively, having more poise on the ball, connecting passes on attack and ultimately executing in front of goal."

The game got off to a fast start with American (0-2) applying pressure early and threatening to score with a shot that went wide in the opening minute of the contest. After an unsuccessful Louisville penalty corner in the fourth minute, the Eagles capitalized on their first corner opportunity when Sarah Steinman connected on an assist from Tayla-Jade Weiss to put American on top with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter.

The Cardinals answered a minute later, this time converting on their second penalty corner chance of the game. Parker got the play started and Tatum Kroon settled the ball for Izzy Bianco whose initial shot was stopped by AU goalkeeper Bryn Underwood, but Parker was there to send the rebound into the cage to even the score with her second goal of the season.

In the second quarter, the teams registered on shot apiece with Young turning back an AU shot on goal to keep the scored tied a 1-1 at halftime. Throughout the first half, Louisville outshot the Eagles 4-2 with each team landing a pair of shots on goal, the Cardinals also held a 3-1 edge in penalty corners.

The third quarter saw the Cardinals take the lead on a goal by Wollerton in the seventh minute of the frame. After an Eagle free hit coming of the Cardinals' circle, Louisville regained possession outside the 25-yard line when Wollerton deflected an Eagle pass and Bianco sent a feed to Chloe Cuzzupe who directed the ball back into the circle. Wollerton subsequently collected the ball off of a defender's stick and sent it into the top left corner of cage past Underwood's stick to make the score 2-1.

Louisville added an insurance goal in the fourth quarter, making good on another penalty corner opportunity with just under 10 minutes left in the frame. Parker inserted the ball and Mia Duchars provided the stop for Izzy Bianco who send the ball to the right post where a diving Wollerton deflected the ball into the cage for her second goal of the game.

In the game, Louisville outshot American 10-4 with a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal while holding a 7-3 edge in penalty corners.

After starting the season with a pair of road games, Louisville will open a five-game home stand next weekend starting with a matchup against No. 15 Princeton Friday 4 p.m. at Trager Stadium.