LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Despite a 13-save performance from Rachel Florek, the University of Louisville lacrosse team fell to Delaware 9-8 on Sunday afternoon at UofL Lacrosse Stadium. The Cardinals fall to 4-9 on the season, while the Blue Hens improve to 6-5. "Today definitely wasn't our 'A' game," said head coach Scott Teeter. "We need to value the ball and protect our sticks. If it wasn't for Rachel's work in the cage, it definitely could have been worse." The Cardinals jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Alex McNicholas and Ally Hall in the first eight minutes of the game. Delaware got on the board with 19 minutes remaining in the first half, but Ally Hall found the back of the net for the second time to keep Louisville's lead at two shortly after. The Blue Hens proceeded to go on a five-goal scoring run, taking a 5-3 lead into the break and extending their lead to three to open the second half. The Cardinals responded with a three-goal scoring run to tie the game at six on goals from Caroline Blalock and two from Tessa Chad. Ally Hall completed her fourth hat trick of the year, finding the back of the net off a pass from Paige Richbourg to pull the Cardinals within one, 8-7, with three minutes remaining in the game. Blalock scored once more for Louisville with one minute remaining, but the Cardinals could not complete the comeback. In the second half, the Cardinals forced the Blue Hens into 14 turnovers while committing only nine of their own. Louisville also out-shot the Delaware in the second half, 13-8. Florek earned 13 saves in 60 minutes of play. Maddie Birch tallied a team-top five ground balls, while McNicholas won five of the Cardinals' six draw controls. Louisville returns to action next weekend as they host ACC rival North Carolina for Senior Day at 1 p.m. on Saturday.