[UCLA-NORTH CAROLINA: Women] No. 1 UCLA showed off its defensive prowess, holding No. 9 North Carolina without a shot on goal for only the second time in the TarHeels’ long history, but the Bruins could not find a way to beat Carolina keepers Bryane Heaberlin and Lindsey Harrisand had to settle for a 0-0 tie before 2,500 fans in Westwood.
The game was rematch of last year’s NCAA quarterfinals when UCLA won, 1-0, in overtime for the first time inits series with UNC. The Heels now lead the all-time series 9-1-1.
The Bruins outshot UNC, 6-0, in the opening half but Heaberlin made five saves in the opening 45 minutes.
“The game was a high-level game: fast-paced, a lot of energy, great athletes out there,” said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. “I think we were unlucky notto score one. You’ve got to give a lot of credit to UNC. They defended really well. They shut down channels and some gaps that we thought were open and made it really hard for us. We could have beenbetter on our set plays, but overall the effort was there. You have to applaud both teams for the effort and just how much they really went after it.”
U.S. U-20 keeper Katelyn Rowland set a new UCLA record for career shutouts with 39.
The Bruins, who have yet to allow a shot on goal this season, are now 2-0-1, while UNC is 1-1-1.
“great athletes out there”–the kiss of death. I would have fallen asleep watching all that “action”. Maybe Ms. Cromwell is hoping to coach in MLS one day?