2022 NCAA Tournament Final Preview

North Carolina and UCLA, two of the best teams from this entire season, go head to head in a Herculean matchup between two of the biggest programs in the sport. Both teams have survived a five-game gauntlet to get here with dramatic results. So let’s recap how these teams got here and preview what should be an epic NCAA Tournament Final.

Road to the NCAA Tournament Final

North Carolina

Defeated

• Old Dominion 5-0
• Georgia 3-1
• BYU 3-2
• #1 Notre Dame 2-0
• #1 Florida St 3-2

Based on their two previous meetings, no one could’ve ever expected a goal-fest like this. Not only that, but for North Carolina to go up 3-0 against a Florida St attack that looked unstoppable all year long is an incredible feat. Anson Dorrance and his staff were able to add the right players and develop them to take out a Seminoles team that’s been arguably the program of the decade.

An uncharacteristic mistake led to the first goal, but Tori Hansen gave the Tar Heels some breathing room with a clutch penalty. Hansen has been on point from the spot all year.

59' I Hansen's PK extends North Carolina's lead!

(2) @uncwomenssoccer– 2
🆚
(1) @FSUSoccer– 0

📺 ESPNU #WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/Nkh4sz5Cvn

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 3, 2022

Florida State almost pulled off a crazy comeback with two goals in quick succession, but it would be too little too late. North Carolina is back in the title game and looking to end a 10-year national title drought.

UCLA

Defeated

• Northern Arizona 4-1
• UCF 1-1 (PKs)
• #4 Northwestern 2-0
• #3 Virginia 2-1
• #1 Alabama 3-0

Alabama’s amazing run to their first college cup ended at the hands of a dominant UCLA program that was the No. 1 team for most of the season. However, the Bruins proved to be too much for the Crimson Tide. 

After not recording a goal all tournament, the Bruins superstar Reilyn Turner got the scoring started.

Bruins on 🔝

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/RoGl1a9UOr

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 3, 2022

After taking a 1-0 into halftime, the Bruins added two more second-half goals, including this stunner from Madelyn Desiano.

WHAT A BEAUTY 🤩 @MadelynDesiano

📺 ESPNU #WCollegeCup x @UCLAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/ER4zaBB0Bs

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 3, 2022

While Alabama had a historic run that will help their program in the long run, UCLA showed why they’re the bigger soccer school.

#2 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. #1 UCLA Bruins, 6:00 PM ET, 3:00 PM PT, ESPNU

Two titans face off in a rematch of epic proportions after they played in the non-conference schedule. UCLA managed to come from behind with two goals in the last 30 minutes to win 2-1. Could we see a similar result this time? 

They both have proven to be the two best teams in all three phases of the game, UNC’s keeper Emmie Allen who is just a freshman, snared six saves against Notre Dame and nine against Florida State. Allen has been on fire, and one more performance like this could be the difference in bringing home a title for the Tar Heels.

Both players have big-name strikers in Ally Sentnor and Reilyn Turner. Both are deep in the midfield and at the back defensively. However, if there’s one player no one has been talking about enough, and it could be the X-factor is Quincy McMahon. Her ability to score has given the Bruins a huge lift, and she could do so again. 

Both of these teams are pretty much even, expect some back and forth, but I think the best team from the regular season gets it done in the final, in a PK shootout.

Prediction: UCLA wins 2-2 (6-5 on penalties)

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