NCAA College Cup 2022 Recap: UCLA Wins the Championship

A new National Champion was crowned on Monday night, and it should go down as one of the best national title games of all time. North Carolina and UCLA were two teams destined for a rematch after their duel in the regular season. UCLA came from behind to win that game, and lo and behold; it happened again in an even more dramatic way. So let’s recap the 2022 National Championship, an instant classic.

UCLA vs. UNC

North Carolina came out in the first half and looked like the much better side. They continued to press UCLA and were rock solid defensively. Both sides created chances, but Julia Dorsey had the best one with a touch-off of a great free kick that went straight at the keeper. The first half ended 0-0, but from the 58th minute onward in the second half, the match flipped on its head. 

North Carolina took the lead with a great ball into the box from Emily Moxley, and Avery Patterson attacked the ball well in the air to score. 

58 ' I THE TAR HEELS STRIKE FIRST IN CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY ‼️

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

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/V0ijkWwCr5

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

UCLA finally started to come into the game more and pressed for an equalizer, but the Tar Heels would catch the Bruins out of position on another cross, and Patterson scored her second goal with her head again. 

AVERY PATTERSON!!!!
BACK-TO-BACK!!!

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/snKa32h2d8

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

Based on North Carolina’s dominance and how little UCLA was able to create on offense, the game seemed over with 15 minutes to go. Well, the cliche that it’s never over till it’s over actually came into play—cue UCLA’s crazy comeback.

Sunshine Fontes struck such a hard shot that Emmie Allen had no choice but to block the shot rather than go for the catch. Lexi Wright reacted quickly and calmly put the rebound back in to make it 2-1. 

Lexi Wright with the RIGHT STUFF!!!

(2) @uncwomenssoccer – 2
🆚
(1) @UCLAWSoccer – 1

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/g4r2gt6Tza

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

UCLA kept pushing to tie the game, and North Carolina could no longer possess the ball. They invited pressure in their own half. Then chaos ensued with one of the craziest endings to a game you’ll ever see. With 30 seconds left and the clock ticking, UCLA had one last corner kick to tie up. There’s a serious question about whether Emmie Allen was fouled on the play. However, with it being the last kick of the game, a call like that to be overlooked is entirely possible. With their season on the line, watch the commitment and desire for Reilyn Turner to do whatever it takes to get the ball in the goal.

UCLA TIES IS UP WITH 16 SECONDS LEFT 😱

📺 ESPNU #WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/4eavpE3qlQ

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

Turner literally would’ve gone through the net with how much force she jumped with. That’s called putting your body on the line. UCLA players cried after that goal went in; seeing the emotions after their season was saved was something else. It would get even better for the Bruins in overtime.

With three minutes to go in the second extra time period, it seemed like the match was headed for penalty kicks. Maricarmen Reyes was in the right place at the right time and somehow scored with a tough angle for the putback. 

🚨 UCLA TAKES THE LEAD IN OVERTIME 🚨

📺 @ESPNU #WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/cBpdeHmgRG

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

UCLA would go on and capture their second national title in school history, and for Margueritte Aozasa to win it all in her first season as a head coach is truly special. 

UCLA's Margueritte Aozasa became the 1st coach in NCAA women's soccer history to win a National Championship in their first year as a head coach and also became just the fourth female head coach and second Asian-American head coach to win a title.#WCollegeCup x @UCLAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/EFXSqWqap2

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 6, 2022

While UCLA experienced euphoria like any other with an improbable comeback, North Carolina has to be gutted to have let this game slip through their grasp. The Tar Heels did everything right except for closing out the game. The possible foul on Emmie Allen will loom large, but it’s over now, and Anson Dorrance will have to regroup after an incredible season. 

In the end, UCLA was at the top of the rankings for a large portion of the season, and they showed why by always believing and never giving up on themselves, no matter what. As a result, the UCLA Bruins are your 2022 NCAA National Champions. 

Featured image via @uclawsoccer

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