UCLA women stun defending champs UNC 1-0 in Chapel Hill, advance to College Cup

Chapel Hill, N.C. – No. 2 seed UCLA defeated No. 1 seed North Carolina 1-0 in double overtime on a golden goal by Taylor Smith (pictured at right) at Fetzer Field on Saturday to advance to the NCAA College Cup for the ninth time in program history.

The victory was UCLA’s first ever against the 21-time and reigning NCAA champion Tar Heels, who had eliminated the Bruins from the NCAA Tournament in four previous years.

First-year UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell, however, has orchestrated North Carolina’s elimination in two of the last three years, having coached Central Florida to a Round-of-16 win over the Tar Heels in 2011 and now the Bruins to a quarterfinal win in 2013.

Saturday’s match was closely contested, with each team totaling 11 shots.

The Bruins directed eight of their 11 shots on goal, forcing UNC goalkeeper Anna Sieloff into a career-high seven saves.

Bruins goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland had four saves to earn her school-record 14th shutout of the season.

The Bruins did not waste any time in the second overtime, scoring a minute and a half in. Sarah Killion sent a great through ball to Smith, whose shot was initially saved by Sieloff.

Smith, however, followed through on the rebound, scoring far post to end the match. The goal was Smith’s eighth of the season and third in the postseason.

Having successfully broken up the No. 1-seed and All-ACC party, UCLA will face Virginia in the semifinals in Cary, N.C. on Friday, Dec. 6.