FootyPop: A Wild Week in NCAA Conference Championships

The NWSL season concluded last month, but the soccer action hasnโ€™t slowed one bit. The USWNT is gearing up for its friendlies against Germany this week, international leagues are powering through their seasons, and the NCAA saw some nail-biting conference finals this past week. Hereโ€™s all you need to know from the past weekโ€™s womenโ€™s soccer news.ย 

Advertisement

 

High of the Weekendย 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Florida State Soccer (@nolesoccer)

Advertisement

It was an exciting weekend of NCAA conference championships, including a few surprising upsets. First, Florida State (No. 5) beat North Carolina for the ACC title, making it their third year in a row as conference champs!ย 

In the Big Ten, Penn State upset Michigan State (No. 6) to take home the trophy. And South Carolina beat Alabama (No. 3) to win the SEC title.ย 

We canโ€™t wait for the College Cup. The selection show for the NCAA tournament is later today!

Advertisement

 

Low of the Weekend

The double bird to red card trend has reached the NCAA. In the conference semifinal match against UNC, a Duke player showed the choice hand signals to the ref and got sent off right before halftime.ย 

Advertisement

The game became even again in the second half when a UNC player was issued her second yellow. The match went to overtime and then PKs, where the Tar Heels ultimately took home the title.ย 

 

News of the Weekendย 

Advertisement

After the findings of Sally Yatesโ€™ report earlier this fall, former NWSL player Mana Shim has joined the Participant Safety Taskforce set out to protect players.ย 

 

Save of the Weekendย 

Advertisement

Saint Maryโ€™s keeper Taylor Poland came up big in their match against Pepperdine last week. The score ended 0-0, and without Polandโ€™s efforts, Pepperdine surely wouldโ€™ve been up by a couple of goals.ย 

 

Goal of the Weekendย 

Advertisement

West Virginia was crowned Big 12 champions after defender Jordan Brewster scored an incredible long-range goal in overtime. TCUโ€™s keeper just couldnโ€™t keep the ball out of the back of the net.ย 

 

Team of the Weekendย 

Advertisement

In El Clasico, Barcelona won 4-0 over Real Madrid, handing Real Madrid its first L of the season. Barca hasnโ€™t lost this season, and they are top of the league even without two-time Ballon dโ€™Or winner Alexia Putellas.

 

Players of the Weekendย 

Advertisement

The USWNT released the roster for the friendlies against Germany. Aaaand finally AD Franch is back. Franch was something else for Kansas City this season, so itโ€™s great to see her excellent form has earned her a call-up.ย 

Alyssa Thompson is also back on the roster after earning her first senior team call-up last month for the England and Spain friendlies.ย 

 

Advertisement

What to Look Forward To

USWNTย 

Thursday, November 10: USWNT vs. Germany at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT

Sunday, November 13: USWNT vs. Germany at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT

Advertisement

 

NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament selection – Monday, November 7, at 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT

 

Advertisement

Featured image via @FSUSoccer on Twitter

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS