GSN’s Best XI in the NCAA: Final Four Edition
The best of the best have reached the 2022 College Cup. North Carolina, UCLA, Florida State, and Alabama are the four teams that remain. These squads are loaded with stars that helped lead the way to the Final Four. We’ve put together our Best XI for the NCAA Tournament up until the Final Four, highlighting the key contributors from each team. This is based solely on their performances in the NCAA Tournament and does not account for the entire season. Otherwise, Reilyn Turner of UCLA would’ve been on this list. So let’s get into it.
Goalkeeper: Cristina Roque, Florida State, Junior
There was only one choice for the best goalkeeper of the tournament so far, Cristina Roque. One of the most successful and experienced keepers in collegiate history, her overall resume speaks for itself.
In the NCAA Tournament, the only goal she allowed was to LSU in the second round. Her five saves against Arkansas were key in keeping the game at 1-0. Still only a junior, Roque is poised to be one of the winningest goalkeepers in NCAA history.
Defender: Tori Hansen, North Carolina, Senior
One of the best defenders in the country has put together a great NCAA Tournament. Two assists on their tournament run to go with anchoring a backline that doesn’t have Maycee Bell is one of the main reasons why she was only one of two defenders to make the All-ACC First Team.
She is sure to be a future NWSL draft choice should she choose to go pro; the future is bright for Tori Hansen. The star defender will have to be at her best if they are to defeat Florida State for the second time this season.
Defender: Reyna Reyes, Alabama, Senior
Reyna Reyes earned All-SEC First Team honors and backed that up big time in the NCAA Tournament. After scoring a goal from the defender position against Jackson State, she saved her best for last in Alabama’s last game.
After letting a 2-0 lead slip away late in the second half, Reyes made up for it by scoring the goal of her life. A historic goal that would send Alabama to their first-ever College Cup, truly an amazing run for Reyes and the Crimson Tide.
Reyna Reyes with the goal of her life ‼️ #NCAASoccer x 🎥 @AlabamaSoccer pic.twitter.com/UGOB8OG8h0
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 26, 2022
Defender: Lilly Reale, UCLA, Sophomore
Lilly Reale has been rock solid on the No. 1 team in the country for a majority of the season, and her play has carried over into the NCAA Tournament. The First Team Pac-12 recipient has played every single minute in this tournament. The number of subs allowed at the college level shows how Reale is at the back for UCLA; she has to be in the Starting XI and will play a big role in stopping some, like Riley Parker from Alabama.
Defender: Quincy McMahon, UCLA, Sophomore
Quincy McMahon is much like her teammate Lilly Reale, a critical member of UCLA’s defense and the main reason they’ve made it this far. McMahon also scored the goal that put Northwestern away late in the second half. Her ability to distribute from the back could be the difference maker in a tough matchup with Alabama in the Final Four.
Midfield: Felicia Knox, Alabama, Junior
Felicia Knox was the assist god of this season with 20 assists total and four of them coming in the NCAA Tournament. The Junior netted a penalty kick goal to put away UC Irvine and set up a matchup with Duke.
Outside of Riley Parker, Knox might be Alabama’s most important player. For her to still produce these numbers when everyone tries to stop her is even more impressive. Knox can break down any defense with her passing ability, and Alabama will need her to do so if they are to take out UCLA.
Way to go Felicia Knox!! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/NQCquu7n1c
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) November 16, 2022
Midfield: Jenna Nighswonger, Florida State, Senior
Jenna Nighswonger’s move from defense to attack has been a catalyst for their offense this season. The attacking midfielder has shown that she not only can create for her teammates with two assists this tournament, but she can also score with a goal against LSU.
Nighswonger has spoken with GSN before about how she has looked to improve her shooting, especially from a distance, which makes her a threat to score in a variety of ways. Expect Nighswonger to be at the center of their attack when they take on North Carolina in the national semifinal.
Midfield: Sunshine Fontes, UCLA, Senior
A lot of the attention for UCLA goes to Reilyn Turner, and rightfully so. Yet, in the NCAA Tournament, their opponents looked to slow Turner down, which opened everything up for her teammates. Especially Sunshine Fontes, who sometimes gets overlooked when she’s a star in her own right.
Fontes netted twice, but her second goal came in their last game against Virginia when it mattered most. A key creator in this UCLA offense, Fontes versus Felicia Knox, will be a fantastic matchup to keep an eye on in the Final Four.
Forward: Ally Sentnor, North Carolina, Redshirt Freshman
Ally Sentnor has been going off throughout North Carolina’s run to the Final Four. If North Carolina were to win it all, she’d likely be the front-runner for most valuable players.
The striker has scored five goals this NCAA Tournament and has powered this Tar Heels offense alongside Avery Patterson. Florida State will know full well they have to be watching where Sentnor is at all times because five goals in four games when everyone is trying to stop you is no small feat.
Libby Moore with the laser off the crossbar, Ally Sentnor right place right time for the header!!
📺 https://t.co/IweHYvJbvk pic.twitter.com/9C91yXcG1f
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) November 26, 2022
This young starlet is still only a freshman; sheesh, she’s got a great career ahead of her.
Forward: LeiLanni Nesbeth, Florida State, Senior
LeiLanni Nesbeth gets the nod here as one of the top strikers in the tournament for her two goals, but Florida State’s attack, in general, is stacked. Jody Brown and Beata Olsson could honestly take the other two spots at striker, but we have to show the other teams some love as well.
Nesbeth has taken another step up this season and is showing out in the NCAA Tournament. When LeiLanni Nesbeth is scoring goals, Florida State becomes even tougher to stop because they have a plethora of attacking options. Nesbeth and the Seminoles are on the verge of another title, but North Carolina will have something to say about that.
Forward: Riley Parker, Alabama, Graduate Student
The last in our Best XI is Riley Parker. She’s been a driving force for Alabama all season and has taken the lead as their best goal scorer. Parker continually provided the goal-scoring her team needed with three goals during their tournament run, two against Jackson State and one against Portland. Parker also added an assist to show that she can do more than just score. Keep an eye on her against UCLA; she’ll be the x-factor.
When @AlabamaSoccer scores nine goals, there are a lot of options. Have to shoutout Riley Parker scoring her second of the night to break the Alabama single-season record though. pic.twitter.com/4sSuepMUd8
— Gray Robertson (@gray_robertson) November 14, 2022
Featured image via Getty Images
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