“Sunday, I knew we were going to be good against Louisville, it was just a matter of how good we were going to perform,” head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said.

The concern on defense was losing two fullbacks. Amy Schneider and Charlotte van der Laag would be difficult to replace, van de Kerkhof said.

“As the forwards and the middies also apply a lot of pressure and play a lot of defense, it’s a lot easier for the defensive unit to look good, but they’ve done an excellent job of covering for each other and helping each other out,” van de Kerkhof said.

However, after letting Delaware dwindle a 3-0 Spartans halftime lead to within one goal, senior back Geraldine Raynor said the team learned it needed to play both halves.

“On Sunday, we came out and did just that,” she said. “As soon as we scored one goal, it was 0-0 and we started all over again, which I think carried on with the momentum of keeping fighting throughout the whole game.”

The team also has been focusing on keeping plays between the 25-yard lines, van de Kerkhof said.

The Cardinal opened their season with a 3-1 loss to Drexel, where they were outshot 18-9.

Freshman forward Chantae Miller, who scored her first collegiate goal over the weekend, said she was looking forward to playing her first home game.

“Just being on our home field, hopefully we get a few fans,” she said.