Cavaliers Fall at UCLA in Round of 16
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LOS ANGELES – The Virginia women’s soccer team had its season come to an end with a 3-0 loss at No. 4 UCLA in the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament Friday night at Drake Stadium. It marks the third time in the past five years the Cavaliers have had their season end at UCLA.
“It is always tough to end your season with a loss,” said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “We have consistently gotten to this point, to the round of 16, but only a few times been able to get past this point. I think these experiences will make it even sweeter when we are able to take that next step. It is a battle every year and it isn’t a right to go deep in this tournament. You have to earn it and I thought UCLA earned that tonight.”
In the first half, the Bruins took an early lead in the fourth minute as Dea Cook headed in a corner kick from Lauren Barnes. UCLA doubled their lead in the 42nd minute as Sydney Leroux shot from the top of the box snuck just inside the post. The Bruins took that 2-0 lead into halftime.
Both teams had chances in the second half, but the game remained 2-0 until the 89th minute when Leroux scored her second goal of the game as she fired in a loose ball from the top of the box.
Overall, UCLA outshot Virginia 14-7 in the game and had a 7-3 corner kick advantage. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va,) made six saves for the Cavaliers, while Chante Sandiford made three saves for the Bruins. .
The Cavaliers end the season with a 10-6-6 overall record. They reached the round of 16 for the fifth consecutive year.
“I am really proud of our team,” said Swanson. “I think we battled all season long. It wasn’t the easier of years for us, We have had a lot of stuff really test us. I am proud of how they responded and we were playing our best soccer at the end of the year. That’s all you can ask for.
UCLA advances to the quarterfinals where they will meet Portland next weekend.
UCLA 3, VIRGINIA 0
Virginia (10-5-6) 0 0 – 0
UCLA (19-2-1) 2 1 – 3
Scoring Summary
UCLA. Dea Cook 2 (Lauren Barnes) 4’
UCLA. Sydney Leroux 22 (Lauren Chaney, Lucretia Lee) 42’
UCLA. Sydney Leroux 23 (unassisted) 89’
Shots: UVa 7, UCLA 14
Corners: UVa 3, UCLA 7
Saves: UVa 6 (Jones 6), UCLA 3 (Sandiford 3)
Fouls: UVa 0, UCLA 0
Weather: 54 degrees, clear
Attendance: 921