Top 5 Goals: International Break and NCAA Soccer

The October international break and NCAA women’s soccer saw plenty of teams in action. Surprisingly, the USWNT could not get in on the action after a 0-0 draw with Korea. However, that doesn’t mean that other countries and colleges alike were able to create some great moments in the world of women’s soccer. Here are the best women’s soccer goals of the week from the international break and NCAA soccer. 

5. Mia Fishel – UCLA 

Slidin' in the rain. ☔️#NCAASoccer x ? @UCLAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/u3LW6qQiqE

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) October 22, 2021

UCLA, as always, is among the best teams in the nation. With a handful of games remaining before the NCAA Tournament, two of the Bruins star players linked up beautifully to help seal the deal against Washington. Kaila Novak took on one defender and ended up cutting onto her left foot, which allowed her to drive in a ball towards the back post. A defender was waiting, but that didn’t stop Mia Fishel from getting to the spot first. With a little extra desire and guile, she outfoxed the defender and the keeper to finish nicely and secure another win for UCLA. 

4. Adriana Leon – Canada

GOAL ????

Teamwork makes the dream work ?

A wonderful move by @CanadaSoccerEN and Adriana Leon is there with the finish to make it 4-1 over @NZ_Football

TUNE IN: #CANWNT | ? TELUS ch. 980 | ? https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/GfS79xyEem

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 23, 2021

Canada has carried over their gold medal performance from the Olympics into their recent international play. The chemistry to go with their passing and finishing has been on another level, and it should make everyone take Canada even more seriously. After New Zealand gave the ball right back, five different Canadian players touched the ball in the build-up. This is one-touch passing at its finest, they unlocked New Zealand’s defense with ease, and Adriana Leon provided a nice finishing touch for her brace. 

3. Christine Sinclair – Canada

You don't wanna cough it up to number 12 ?

The #GOAT with a vintage finish to put Canada up 2-0. @Sincy12 #CANWNT #CANWNTGold pic.twitter.com/0xFshaZwib

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) October 23, 2021

The ageless wonder that is Christine Sinclair continues to amaze us. While Carli Lloyd retires and Megan Rapinoe is on the cusp of it, Sinclair doesn’t look like she wants to slow down at all. The defending on this goal isn’t very good, but the slow-mo angle of the goal shows how great the finish from Sinclair is. Her chip over the top looks simple but seeing the other camera angle with two defenders in her way shows Sinclair put the ball in the one place she had to score. It all happens in a split second, but it’s footballing genius to score from this angle.

2. Mary Fowler – Australia 

Fowler makes it three goals in two matches! On FIRE ?

?: @10FootballAU#AUSvBRA #WeAreMatildas pic.twitter.com/aHIc1EnGL5

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 23, 2021

The Matildas always seem to have offensive superstars coming through the pipeline at a young age. The next big player in line for more recognition is Mary Fowler. The striker is playing for Montpellier in France but should be headed to a bigger club soon. Emily van Egmond put in a lovely floated ball towards the back post, and Fowler was in a perfect position. The striker waited for the defender in front of her to miss and then nonchalantly headed the ball home without much of a fuss. Mary Fowler made that look easy against a Brazil team that is better than most. 

1. Emily Yaple – Pittsburgh

A bicycle built for scoring goals! ?#NCAASoccer x ? @Pitt_WSOC pic.twitter.com/XvoQCXNeIa

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) October 22, 2021

Pitt was already beating Boston College 2-0 with five minutes left in the game. So there was no reason for Emily Yaple to try and take the other team’s soul with this bicycle kick, but that’s exactly what she did. The ball bounced towards her after her teammate mishit her shot; that’s what allowed for Yaple to go for it with her back to goal. Even though she doesn’t jump, she was able to get enough power on it to beat the keeper in spectacular fashion. A bicycle kick for our top spot of the week? That’s a no-brainer. Emily Yaple now has a goal she’ll surely never forget.  

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