UCLA
17-2-2
Northwestern (Second Round)
12-8-3
Rodriguez Golden Goal Sends UCLA to Round of 16
November 17, 2017 | Women's Soccer
LOS ANGELES - It took 28 shots and a little over 92 minutes, but No. 2 seed UCLA advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 after a 1-0 overtime victory over Northwestern. UCLA redshirt sophomore Anika Rodriguez scored the golden goal at 92:21 as the Bruins improve to 17-2-2 on the year. Northwestern ends its season with a 12-8-3 record.
The Bruins were stymied by the Northwestern defense, and particularly goalkeeper Lauren Clem, throughout regulation. UCLA peppered the Wildcat box with shots, outshooting Northwestern 28-2 and taking 12 corner kicks to Northwestern's one. Clem made a career-high 12 saves in the contest to keep the Bruins at bay, including an incredible save on a shot by Jessie Fleming in the 64th minute. Clem sprawled to stop the shot, and it flicked up, hit the left post, bounced up off the crossbar and into Clem's secure arms.
"They have a phenomenal team that defends so well," said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. "They're big, they're strong, they're athletic. Their keeper was one of the best I've seen, if not the best I've seen all year. They bent, but they never really broke until the end."
UCLA moved quickly in the extra period, finishing it off in the 93rd minute. After a goal kick by Clem was sent to midfield, Jessie Fleming sent a quick header to Ashley Sanchez, who fed Rodriguez with a through ball. Rodriguez took a touch and then shot past Clem for the game-winner, her seventh goal of the season.
??GOLDEN GOAL!??@Anikaarodriguez scores the game-winning goal in OT to push UCLA to the 3rd round of the @NCAASoccer Tournament!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/HzWZ0UWjpw
โ UCLA Women's Soccer (@UCLAWSoccer) November 18, 2017
"We created a lot of really good opportunities," Rodriguez said. "We just need to focus more on finishing them. But I am really proud of this team."
The Bruins move on to the NCAA Round of 16 to face No. 3 seed Virginia, which defeated Pepperdine 3-0 earlier in the day. The match will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 6pm at Drake Stadium.
Team Stats
Rodriguez, Anika (7)
Assisted By: Sanchez, Ashley , Fleming, Jessie
through ball shot to lower left corner
92:21
