UCLA
19-2-3
Stanford (College Cup Championship)
23-1-0
UCLA Comeback Falls Short in Title Game
December 03, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Orlando, Fla. - UCLA came back from two goals down at the half to tie but Stanford scored the game-winner in the 67th minute to take its second NCAA title, 3-2.
"Obviously the game didn't go the way we hoped - we didn't get a great start with going down two goals, but I can't say enough about our team and the fight and determination to come back and tie it up," said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. "They fought until the end. We had some chance, but in the end, I don't think we had enough in the tank to really force the issue the way we normally do with our press. The difference is it was a hot day, big field. I think the effort was there for 90 minutes. Hats off to Stanford; they played a fantastic game."
The Bruins gave up two early goals, with Kyra Carusa scoring in the 15th minute and Andi Sullivan in the 25th. Down 2-0 at the half, UCLA came storming back in the second half. After Zoey Goralski was upended in the box by Stanford goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz, the Bruins were awarded a penalty kick. Jessie Fleming stepped up to take the shot and scored to cut the Bruin deficit in half. Just four minutes later, UCLA evened the score on a set piece. Anika Rodriguez's corner kick was flicked by Julia Hernandez across the box to Delanie Sheehan, who headed it past Jahansouz for the equalizer.
This header by UCLA's Delanie Sheehan off a corner kick ties it! #WCollegeCup
โ NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 3, 2017
Watch LIVE on @ESPNU: https://t.co/9e5QQfJGvt pic.twitter.com/o0nxuFOY62
An impressive 25-yard shot by Jaye Boissiere in the 67th minute broke the tie, and the Bruins kept fighting to equalize again but were unable to get the tying score.
UCLA, which became only the second team this season to score two goals against Stanford, finishes its season with a 19-3-3 record. Stanford finishes with a 24-1-0 mark.
Fleming, Goralski and Hailie Mace were selected to the College Cup All-Tournament Team.
Team Stats
Kyra Carusa (15)
Assisted By: Catarina Macario
The pass from 20 forced the goalkeeper out, ball bounced over the keeper, 12 put it in to the open net
14:58
Andi Sullivan (3)
Assisted By: Catarina Macario , Madison Haley
Played in from 26, shot from outside the 18 into the back post
25:03
Jessie Fleming (6)
26 fouled down in the box, converted the penalty kick
54:16
Delanie Sheehan (5)
Assisted By: Anika Rodriguez , Julia Hernandez
Off the corner kick, headed in
58:27
Jaye Boissiere (9)
Assisted By: (unassisted)
off the pass from 12, at the top left corner of the 18
66:24
