Nov. 20, 2004
| Santa Clara def. #1 North Carolina in Overtime | ||
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Victory Computer Wallpaper Celebrate the Upset with Broncos Merchandise! |
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior forward Megan Kakadelas scored the game-winner in overtime to lift 16th-seed Santa Clara University past the No. 1 seed North Carolina 1-0 in the third round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. The Broncos (17-4-2) topped the defending national champions, who will not be advancing to the College Cup for the first time in the 23-year history of the NCAA Championship.
These two teams have now faced each other in the last four postseasons. The Tar Heels eliminated Santa Clara in the quarterfinals last year, but the Broncos topped UNC 2-1 in the 2002 semifinals and 1-0 in the 2001 Championship match.
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| Santa Clara's Megan Kakadelas celebrates with Bree Horvath after scoring Santa Clara's winning goal in overtime to beat North Carolina 1-0 in the third round of the NCAA Women's College Cup. (AP Photo/News & Observer, Ethan Hyman) |
The Tar Heels (20-1-2) also saw an end to a 49-match unbeaten streak, as UNC had not lost a game since that semifinal in 2002. Carolina still leads the all-time series 14-4, and holds a 5-3 series edge in NCAA Tournament contests.
Although out-shot 19-4 in regulation, the Broncos opened the extra period strong. Pressure by senior Bree Horvath on the Carolina defense, and a tackle by sophomore Tiffany Roberts, allowed sophomore Tina Estrada to control the ball. She saw Kakadelas on the slot run and made the pass. UNC keeper Aly Winget gave Kakadelas room on the near post, and Kakadelas took advantage for her seventh goal of the season.
The play was similar to last week's game-winner over Stanford, scored by Estrada off a pass from Kakadelas in the first minute of the second overtime. Horvath was also a key factor in starting that play.
Today's match started off with offensive excitement, as Kakadelas broke away early, taking a shot on goal in the third minute that was stopped by Winget. UNC countered on the next play down the field, as a Bronco foul gave Carolina a free kick just outside the box. Lori Chalupny took a low shot that got through the wall, but SCU keeper Julie Ryder dived for the save.
North Carolina peppered the Bronco net with 12 attempts in first-half action. Ryder made seven saves in the period, including a diving stop in the 25th minute, when Anne Morrell took a shot from eight yards out that Ryder batted away. Tar Heel Heather O'Reilly followed with a header on the ensuing play that went wide of the far post.
The Tar Heels' misfires continued in the second half as Jaime Gilbert shot wide in the first minute of play. Kacey White followed with a shot in the 72nd minute that sailed just over the crossbar.
Santa Clara's second shot of the match was by Estrada in the 61st minute, and was quickly followed with attempts from Horvath and senior Leslie Osborne, as the Broncos earned three corner kicks in a short span.
Ryder notched her ninth and final save of the game with another Tar Heel opportunity, this one by Gilbert in the 80th minute.
Minutes later, Kakadelas found herself one-on-one with the keeper. She drew Winget out, and slotted a pass over to Estrada. Her attempt was blocked by Jessica Maxwell and Winget was able to recover and cover the ball before Horvath come get a foot on the rebound. Libby Guess kept the crowed oohing and aahing with her header off a free kick that again, just went high.
Santa Clara's aggressive play resulted in nine offsides violations.
The 23rd NCAA Championship continues next weekend with the quarterfinal round. Santa Clara will host the winner of the Illinois/Nebraska contest next Saturday, Nov. 27 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
NCAA Third Round
No. 4 Santa Clara 1, No. 1 North Carolina 0 (OT)
November 20, 2004 - Chapel Hill, N.C.
Santa Clara 0 0 1 -- 1
North Carolina 0 0 0 -- 0
Scoring: SCU - Kakadelas (Estrada) 90:31
Shots: Santa Clara 5, North Carolina 19
Corner Kicks: Santa Clara 3, North Carolina 4
Saves: Ryder (SCU) 9, Winget (UNC) 1
Fouls: Santa Clara 14, North Carolina 10
Cautions: None
Officials: Cook, Kadlecik, Goodrich, Morton
Attendance: 2,129
Records: Santa Clara 17-4-2; North Carolina 20-1-2