Top 5 Goals: 2022 NCAA Tournament Round 1

The NCAA Tournament has not disappointed one bit with a myriad of upsets that have left us stunned after the first weekend. With 32 amazing matchups now completed, this edition of Top 5 Goals will feature the best women’s soccer goals from the first round. So let’s get into it. 

5. Korbin Albert – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

🔥🔥🔥 @Korbinalbert2
#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @NDSoccer pic.twitter.com/CphARceq7j

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 12, 2022

Notre Dame had no issues taking out Omaha in the first round, and Korbin Albert didn’t need much time to get the scoring started. Omaha didn’t do a good job of putting a body on Albert. She put on a nice move to fake out the defender and get onto her left foot. The finish from Albert was top-notch.

That looked like a pro level move and indicates she’s likely to be an NWSL Draft pick in the future. Notre Dame looks excellent early on to start the tournament. 

4. Maddie Mercado – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

𝙏𝙤𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣 😮‍💨#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @NDSoccer pic.twitter.com/nzdIoZqJPq

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 12, 2022

The game was well in hand at this point with a 3-0 lead, and Notre Dame used that lead for some extra set-piece practice.

The Fighting Irish took a short corner and worked the ball around beautifully. Each pass and first touch was crisp as the ball arrived at the feet of Maddie Mercado. Just like her teammate Korbin Albert’s goal, Mercado also showed what she could do with her left foot, from even further out on the pitch.

The technique displayed is elegance personified. The way she lined up the shot and put her foot through it is a thing of beauty. The keeper had no chance as the ball swerved away and into the top corner. Again watch out for Notre Dame. This team can beat anyone. 

3. Jasmine Aikey – Stanford Cardinals

🎯🎯🎯#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @StanfordWSoccer pic.twitter.com/xZAS6JYbf9

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 12, 2022

Jasmine Aikey had herself a day against San Jose State in the first round with four goals. Her first one was a great way to set the tone for the Cardinal. This was nasty from Aikey.

It is not easy to just run down the ball, let it bounce, and then take it on the volley after running speed. That takes a tremendous amount of body control. Nevertheless, Aikey smashed this into the back of the net emphatically and essentially took the life out of San Jose State.

Once Aikey scored this within less than 15 mins in the half, the Spartan’s chances of pulling off an upset were virtually dead. This comes at the perfect time for Stanford, who are looking to make a deep run in the tournament. 

2. Jaida Thomas – Tennessee Volunteers

What a beauty 🤩 @jaidat_6#NCAASoccer x 🎥@Vol_Soccer pic.twitter.com/5fDQrW6SDA

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 11, 2022

The Tennessee Volunteers’ season sadly ended far sooner than they would have hoped, but Jaida Thomas did everything she could. The striker gave her team an early lead in the first half with some tremendous skill.

Her first touch to control a ball coming in at her like that with her back to goal is special. Thomas knew that as soon as that first touch came down, she would turn around and go for goal. In one fluid motion, Thomas turned and then volleyed the ball into the far corner while falling away, almost like a fadeaway shot in basketball.

Jaida Thomas is the real deal. Hopefully, she will come back to Tennessee for her senior season. 

1. Molly McLaughlin – Xavier Musketeers

OH MY MOLLY 😱#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @XavierWSOC pic.twitter.com/QJ0kGbF2L6

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 12, 2022

Xavier managed to pull off one of the upsets of the weekend by taking out Tennessee in extra time. Molly McLaughlin sealed the deal with this incredible shot she practically took from the parking lot.

McLaughlin does a great job finding a pocket of space, calling for it, and immediately dissecting the situation based on where the defender was. As soon as she turned, she went for goal, and it was an audacious attempt, to say the least. Yet she struck it with more than enough power and was rewarded for taking the risk as the ball clanged off the crossbar, went off the keeper, and into the net.

Xavier has a very tough Virginia team next and will need everything they can get from McLaughin if they are to pull off another upset. 

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