10 Exciting Moments from the 2021 NCAA Women’s Soccer Season
The 2021 NCAA women’s soccer season brought us some exciting moments and upsets. Florida State won the title this past Monday, with BYU being the runner-up. With the 2021 season wrapped up, we take a look at ten special moments from the season.
Florida State wins its third NCAA Championship
Florida State University won against BYU on Monday in a game that went to PKs. Last year, Florida State made it to the finals but lost to Santa Clara in PKs. It was definitely a great feeling for them to make it back to the championships and succeed this year.
Unseeded Santa Clara made it to the College Cup at home
The defending national champions had an unconventional trip to the Women’s College Cup. They came into the tournament unseeded and had to go through the No. 1 seed Duke to return home to compete in the College Cup. It was an incredible run for them to make it to the NCAA Final Four two years in a row.
Mikayla Colohan’s big season
Mikayla Colohan had a big season for BYU helping to lead the Cougars to their first College Cup. The midfielder was drafted by the Orlando Pride but chose to return for one more season with BYU. She has 18 goals and 15 assists so far this season; her goal tally is the second most of anyone this season. She was named to her third straight MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist list and also is a fourth-time All-American.
BYU’s best season
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BYU’s program has been on the up for a while but this season they made their first College Cup final. They did it by going to Virginia and knocking off the Cavaliers who were the No. 1 seed. In the College Cup, they defeated Santa Clara in penalty kicks 3-2 after a 0-0 tie to advance to the title game.
Upsets in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
This year’s NCAA women’s soccer tournament brought some big upsets in the first round. UC Irvine handed No. 2 seed UCLA a 1-0 loss to advance to the second round; it was the Bruin’s only loss of the season. Samford picked up a 2-0 win over No. 4 seed Auburn. South Carolina continued the upsets with a 1-0 shocking win over North Carolina.
Nicole Douglas makes school history
What a campaign. 👏@Nicoledouglasss | #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/TozLG4MsgB
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) November 12, 2021
Nicole Douglas finished the season with 19 goals this season, the most in the NCAA this season but also breaking Arizona State’s single-season record. The previous record was set by Stacey Tullock in 1999 with 17 goals.
Riley Cook’s NCAA record
Riley Cook has had a historic career for Christopher Newport, one that ended with her scoring in the Division III title game to help CNU win their first NCAA Championship. Cook has been terrific and has 34 game-winning goals which are the most in NCAA history.
NC State wins over #4 Duke and #3 UNC
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NC State picked up two major rivalry wins this season, defeating both the Blue Devils and Tar Heels. In nine days, the Wolfpack defeated Duke 2-1 in an overtime win and then picked up a 1-0 win over UNC. Jameese Joseph scored the winning goal in both upsets for NC State.
Grand Canyon University reaches its first NCAA Tournament
GCU had a disappointing 2020 season going 8-9-1 but that turned around quickly this season. The team went 16-4-2, including winning the WAC Championship leading to them earning their first NCAA Tournament bid.
Bicycle kick goal
After Stanford’s goalkeeper popped a clearance up in the air, Shanade Hopcroft hit a wonderful bicycle kick to get Colorado on the board against the Cardinals. It was a terrific goal that landed at the No. 2 spot on Sportscenter’s Top 10.
Watching this one on replay. 🤯
Shanade Hopcroft's got MOVES.
📺 Pac-12 Network
📱https://t.co/uxb1V96zhb@CUBuffsSoccer | #GoBuffs | #Pac12Soccer pic.twitter.com/4pFRiFsC71— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 17, 2021
Image via Noel Danseco, Featured image via @nolesoccer on Instagram
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