UCLA
17-4-1, 8-3-0
Wisconsin (Third Round)
16-4-2, 10-0-1
UCLA Advances to Quarterfinals with 2-0 Win over Wisconsin
November 24, 2019 | Women's Soccer
LOS ANGELES UCLA advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year after recording a 2-0 victory over Wisconsin in the third round. Mia Fishel and Viviana Villacorta scored in the second half to turn a scoreless affair in the first half into a Bruin victory.
The first half was a defensive stalemate, as UCLA had just five shots to Wisconsin's one. The Badgers' lone shot in the half came in the final seconds of the half after a corner kick, but Bruin goalkeeper Teagan Micah leaped up to make the save. The Bruins had two good looks, the first coming in the 26th minute when Ashley Sanchez sent a free kick into the box for Jessie Fleming, whose header missed just wide. Sanchez had a good opportunity of her own in the 37th minute, but her shot under pressure also missed.
The Bruins (17-4-1) went after it strong in the second half, immediately firing off two shots in the box in the 46th minute. Fishel's took a shot that was stuffed by Wisconsin goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer right in front of the goal, and Maricarmen Reyes had a follow-up shot that was deflected by a Badger defender.
Fishel had another look a minute and a half later, going down hard after strong pressure on her shot attempt. She would not be denied the next time, as she took control of a loose ball in the box, slipped past her defender and slammed it past Bloomer at 48:17 for her third goal of the weekend and her team-leading 12th goal of the season.
FRESHMAN MIA FISHEL. THIRD GOAL OF THE WEEKEND. ??
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 25, 2019
She gives the Bruins a 1-0 boost over Wisconsin!#NCAASoccer | @UCLAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/DTNSfjqXHk
Villacorta doubled the lead at 52:26 on a stunning free kick. Villacorta earned the free kick outside the box after being fouled hard by Camryn Biegalski, who earned a yellow card in the process. Villacorta took the free kick herself and went around the wall and into the back of the net for her third goal of the year.
SO THAT'S HOW YOU FEEL ??
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 25, 2019
Viviana Villacorta fires away for UCLA's second tally!#NCAASoccer | @UCLAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/4BUT291I1P
The Bruin defense kept it on lockdown for the remainder of the half, earning shutout No. 12 on the year. Micah had one save in the game and picked up her ninth solo shutout. Bloomer made seven saves for the Badgers, who finish their year with a 16-4-2 record.
"The first 20 minutes were like two teams trying to feel each other out," said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. "It was kind of stagnant and not as explosive as we've been, so we knew that needed to change. We started getting a little better as the half went on, but the second half, that was us. That was UCLA Soccer."
UCLA will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to take on defending NCAA champion Florida State in the NCAA quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 29. The game will kick off at 2pm ET/11am PT, with the winner advancing to the College Cup in San Jose, Calif.
Team Stats
Fishel, Mia (12)
GOAL by UCLA Fishel, Mia (FIRST GOAL), goal number 12 for season.
48:17
Villacorta, Viviana (3)
GOAL by UCLA Villacorta, Viviana, goal number 3 for season.
52:56
