cardinals

The Cardinals have established themselves as a dominant force when they score 70 points or more, boasting an impressive record of 87-5 in their last 92 games dating back to the 2018-19 season. Under coach Walz, Louisville has a record of 316-28 when surpassing the 70-point mark. The team has also been historically successful in the month of November, with a record of 91-18 under Walz and an impressive 39-5 record over the past seven seasons.

The Cardinals have a long history at Madison Square Garden, having played there 54 times dating back to 1948. Many memorable moments have taken place in this historic venue, including championships and tournament titles. Louisville’s head coach Kenny Payne previously served as an assistant coach for the NBA’s New York Knicks, who also call Madison Square Garden home. Payne’s return trip to Madison Square Garden serves as a reunion for two other members of the Louisville staff, Gabe Snider and Justin Perez, who both previously worked for the Knicks.

Louisville comes into the game with a 9-1 record after a thrilling 31-24 comeback victory over Virginia last week. Isaac Guerendo’s 73-yard touchdown run with three minutes remaining sealed the win for the Cardinals. Despite overcoming a 14-0 halftime deficit, Virginia couldn’t hold on as Louisville tied the game with a 52-yard touchdown pass to Ahmari Huggins-Bruce.

Head coach Kenny Payne expressed his satisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, stating, “That is a good sign of what we are capable of being defensively.” Despite the 20-point victory, Payne believes there is still room for improvement, emphasizing the team’s need to focus on their confidence, work ethic, and energy. He acknowledged the team’s potential to defeat formidable opponents but stressed the importance of each player understanding their responsibilities and obligations for the team’s success.

Right from the opening whistle, the Cardinals set the tone for the match, displaying their attacking prowess. Their fluid passing and impeccable teamwork created numerous opportunities, leaving the Duke defense scrambling to keep up. It was only a matter of time before the Cardinals found the back of the net.

In their quarterfinal round, Louisville delivered an impressive performance, defeating second-ranked and top-seeded Notre Dame 4-3. Junior midfielder Sander Roed had a breakthrough game, scoring a hat trick with three goals and assisting on Joshua Jones’ game-winning goal in the 89th minute.

Under Coach Walz, the Cardinals have been a force to be reckoned with, making five consecutive Elite Eight appearances and maintaining a six-year Sweet Sixteen streak, both of which are unmatched by any other team in the country. Last season, the Cardinals won 26 games and extended their streak of 11-straight seasons with 25 or more wins. They also finished fourth in the ACC and advanced to the ACC Tournament Championship game for the fourth time in program history.

Donnet and Mayew joined forces in doubles, starting their campaign with a resounding victory in the Round of 16. They defeated Mwendwa Mbithi and Lawrence Sciglitano with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 10-3. However, their journey was cut short in the quarterfinals as they fell to the top-seeded duo in straight sets.