UCLA Faces Alabama in Women's College Cup Semis
The Bruins are looking to claim UCLA's 120th NCAA title this weekend.
“We want Bama!” It’s the chant known to football fans all over the country since Nick Saban took over as the head coach of the Crimson Tide football team.
Tonight, that chant takes on a new meaning as the UCLA women’s soccer team squares off against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second national semifinal game of the NCAA Women’s College Cup.
The Bruins are the top seed in the tournament and they are playing in their 12th NCAA Women’s College Cup. It’s also the team’s third in the last six years.
The winner of tonight’s game will play the winner of the earlier match between North Carolina (19-4-1) and Florida State (17-2-3). But before they can think about who they play next, they have to focus on Alabama.
This year, the Bruins are led by new head coach Margueritte Aozasa, who was hired to replace Amanda Cromwell who left Westwood for the pros. Aozasa was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year for women’s soccer.
On the pitch, UCLA has three 20+ point scorers in Sunshine Fontes (11 goals, 7 assists, 29 points), Reilyn Turner (9 goals, 3 assists, 21 points) and Lexi Wright (7 goals, 6 assists, 20 points). Fontes is ranked 24th in the country in points this season. Turner is tied for fourth in the nation in game-winning goals with six. That’s a lot of offensive firepower.
Defensively, Bruin goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy is seventh nationally in goals against with an average of 0.519 per game. She is also 22nd with a save percentage of 84.7%.
Much like the UCLA football team, for most of the season anyway, these ladies like to score quick. So, don’t turn this game on late! They have three goals in the first 90 seconds of play and six in the first six minutes.
This is the Crimson Tide’s first College Cup.
They got to tonight’s match by beating Duke 3-2 in overtime in the quarterfinals.
The Crimson Tide are the number two scoring offense in the country, averaging 2.92 goals a game in addition to averaging 8.46 points per game. Alabama ranks first in total goals (76), total points (220) and total assists (68) this season. Alabama’s Felicia Knox holds leads the NCAA with 20 assists this season while Riley Mattingly Parker leads the NCAA with seven game-winning goals this season. while Ashlynn Serepca is tied with UCLA’s Reilyn Turner for fourth in game-winning goals. Parker ranks sixth for total goals with 17 and sixth for points with 41.
Defensively, McKinley Crone ranks 13th nationally with 10 shutouts. The Crimson Tide also ranks 19th nationally defensively with a 0.648 goals against average.
Here’s how to watch tonight’s NCAA Women’s College Cup semifinal.
NCAA Women’s College Cup Soccer Semifinals
Opponents: #1 UCLA Bruins (20-2-1) vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (23-2-1)
Game Time: 5:30 pm PT, Friday, December 2, 2022
Where: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC
Live TV: ESPNU with Jenn Hildreth and Julie Foudy
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com
Live Stats: NCAA.com
Game Notes:
UCLA
Alabama
Go Bruins!!!
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Great win!
Argh, bummed I missed an open thread as I watched the whole thing last night. See you all on Monday! LFG, Bruins!!