Alabama Soccer's Historic Run Ends In College Cup Semifinal
CARY, N.C. — The story that was Alabama soccer's historic season has reached its conclusion as the Crimson Tide was defeated by the UCLA Bruins 3-0 in the College Cup semifinal.
The game started with UCLA playing with a high level of speed, something Alabama didn't handle well early on. Even so, Alabama had a chance to take the lead on a goal from Riley Mattingly Parker. Unfortunately, the goal was waived off as the official ruled Parker offside.
The offense wasn't the same after that, and it struggled to create opportunities the rest of the game.
UCLA continued to apply the pressure, and in the 30th minute, Reilyn Turner scored the first goal of the game off a cross into the box.
The Bruins continued to apply pressure on the Crimson Tide, totaling 20 shots for the game and 11 on target. The next two goals came in rapid succession, first with Quincy McMahon hitting a shot into the upper right corner in the 52nd minute, then Madelyn Desiano hitting the third goal in the upper left corner in the 54th minute.
It was the first time Alabama gave up three goals all season, and one of the lowest amount of shots in a game. It was a tough loss, but overall it was still a successful season, the best ever in program history.
FINAL: UCLA 3, Alabama 0
Second Half
- Tanner's last shot was saved as the time expired
- Streicek's shot saved by the keeper
- Knox and Steere come in for Rogers and Clem
- Sydney Japic charged with a yellow card
- Kat Rogers, Ashlynn Serepca and Syndey Japic come in for Parker, Steer and Knox
- Steere's play back to Crone was out of reach. Corner kick Alabama
- A yellow card given to UCLA's Madelyn Desiano
- Aislin Streicek comes in for Ashlynn Serepca
- Knox's touch in the box is wide of the right post. Goal kick UCLA.
- Parker's shot was blocked out of bounds. Corner kick Alabama
- GOAL: Madelyn Desiano buries the shot in the top right corner. Alabama 0, UCLA 3
- GOAL UCLA: Quincy McMahon puts the ball in the bottom right corner of the net. Alabama 0, UCLA 2
- The deflection bounces to UCLA, then sent over the goal for a goal kick
- Corner kick UCLA
- Crone deflects the shot out of bounds. Corner kick UCLA
- Riley Tanner's shot was just wide of the goalpost. Goal kick UCLA
- Felicia Knox draws a foul to open the half
First Half - Alabama 0, UCLA 1
- Syndey Japic and Sydney Vincens come in for Macy Clem and Brooke Steere
- Gianna Paul gets called for a yellow card
- Clock stops for a potential head injury for UCLA
- UCLA called for offsides
- GOAL UCLA: Reilyn Turner scores on a cross. Alabama 0, UCLA 1
- Riley Tanner draws a foul. Free kick Alabama
- Riley Parker's goal is waived off for an offsides call
- Crone makes another save.
- Gianna Paul comes in for Alabama
- A foul against UCLA gives Alabama a free kick
- UCLA's shot is wide of the net, goal kick Alabama
- Knox's cross is saved by Brzykcy
- Another corner kick for Alabama
- Crone saves the shot on the free kick
- Brooke Steere gets called for a foul a few yards outside the box. Free kick UCLA
- The first shots for the Crimson Tide were blocked before the ball was ultimately cleared
- Alabama gets its first cornet kick of the game
- Crone has consecutive saves, one off the initial shot, then a second using her foot to block the rebound
- McKinley Crone gets her first save - a hard shot from the opposition
- Felicia Knox's shot is a strike directly at goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy
Pregame
- The game will kickoff at 7:36 CT
- Alabama has taken the field for warmups
How to Watch:
Who: Alabama vs. UCLA
When: 7:30 CT Friday
Where: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina.
TV: ESPNU
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Last time out, Alabama: Alabama (23-2-1) won its 20th straight home game in what was arguably one of the more exciting contests over the stretch. The Tide's Reyna Reyes scored what would end up being the game-winner just under eight minutes into the first overtime as Alabama was able to keep the Blue Devils (15-5-3) off the scoreboard for the remainder of overtime to result in the victory.
The victory secured the program's first-ever trip to the College Cup.
Last time out, UCLA: No. 1 seed UCLA secured its spot in next week's NCAA College Cup in Cary, N.C. after a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 3 seed Virginia in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Freshman Sofia Cook scored the game-winner in the first overtime to cement UCLA's 12th College Cup appearance and third in the last six years.
