Fight Takes Flight Ramp Banner Photo by Seth Bloom. 2015. Fitted

Cardinal Notebook: 8/29

Mark BlankenbakerAugust 29, 2015

Tom Juirch Talks Expansion on Ramsey & Rutherford

Gus Malzahn Updates the Auburn Tigers

Men’s Soccer Opens Season With 2-1 Win Over William & Mary

Behind goals from junior Andrew Brody and freshman Tate Schmitt, the 18th-ranked Louisville men’s soccer team won its third straight season-opener with a 2-1 victory over William & Mary on Friday night at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium.

In the first ever matchup on the soccer pitch between the two teams, the Cardinals and Tribe combined to score each of the match’s three goals during a span of less than 21 minutes in the first half. Louisville improved to 2-0 in season-openers at Lynn Stadium and has won five of its last seven season-openers overall.

Brody (Orlando, Fla.) started the scoring on Friday when he received a perfectly played ball from Ben Strong (Mendham, N.J.) behind the backline of the Tribe and chipped over William & Mary goalkeeper Mac Phillips in the 22nd minute. It was the seventh career goal for Brody, who has scored the first goal of the season for the Cardinals in each of the last two years.

The Tribe pulled even at 1-1 in the 41st minute when Antonio Bustamante’s free kick from just outside the left side of the 18-yard box curled inside the far post.

Louisville quickly answered the equalizer by regaining the lead for good in the 43rd minute when Schmitt (Phoenix, Ariz.) connected inside the upper left corner from 16 yards out for his first collegiate goal. After sending the ball into the center of the box, Schmitt regained possession along the left side after a diving deflection by Phillips. He then fired a shot with his left foot off the bottom of the crossbar and into the goal for the final 2-1 margin.

The Cardinals finished with an 8-6 advantage in shots, including 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Louisville also had a 4-3 advantage in corner kick chances. Defensively, sophomore Nick Jeffs (Ottawa, Canada) had one save while making his second career start for the Cardinals, while Phillips made a pair of stops in the loss for the Tribe.

Up next, No. 18 Louisville will host No. 8 Stanford in a top 20 showdown on Monday at 7:30 p.m., ET at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. Live video of the match will be streamed through CardsTV at GoCards.com.

Volleyball Falls to #8 Illinois in Season Opener

Erin Fairs had 13 kills and two blocks but it was not enough as the No. 8 ranked University of Illinois escaped 27-25, 25-23, 26-24 in a tightly contested season opening volleyball match in the first round of the Illini Classic in Champaign, Ill. Friday night.

UofL, 0-1, was plagued by service errors with 13 but had eight team blocks, led by Tess Clark’s four. The Cards hit .131 for the match and had 52 digs led by setter Katie George’s 15. George had 30 digs and two blocks. The Illini were led by Michelle Strizak’s 13 kills and two blocks.

“We played extremely tough and challenged ourselves tonight,” said UofL head coach Anne Kordes. “Our floor defense and our offense looked really good but we struggled at the service line and you can’t give away points like that in a match that was won by six total points when you are competing against a top 10 team. I am proud of how extremely tough we played.”

In the first set, the Cards outhit the Illini .208 to .189 but lllinois had five blocks, five by Katie Stadick. Louisville newcomer Erin Fairs had seven kills to pace the Cards. U of L tore out to a 904 lead early and did not relinquish the lead until 22-21. The Cards staved off set point three times before falling 27-25.

A 6-1 run by U of I put the Cards down 12-5 early in the second set. The Cards got their block going with four in the set and put themselves in striking distance at 14-11. Katie George served five straight points to put the Cards within one at 22-21. U of I answered and had set point at 24-21. UofL dug its heels in and a kill by Erin Fairs took the Cards to 24-23 before falling 25-23 on a hitting error.

The Cardinals used a 7-2 run midway through the third set to tie at 15 and then traded punches with the Illini. UofL never led but managed seven ties and held off two set/match points befor a kill by Strizak put an end to the comeback efforts.

The Cardinals play Creighton at 1:30 ET as the Illini Classic continues. The Blue Jays beat Miami of Ohio 3-2 in the first match of the day. Later, the Cards will square off with the Redhawks immediately following their first match.