The Stanford women captured their first-ever national championship this weekend while the UNC men lead a talented field into the Final Four.

WOMEN
The Stanford Cardinal used a two-goal spurt early in the game to spark them to a 3-0 win over Florida State on Saturday and their third consecutive trip to the championship final of the College Cup. On Sunday, they met Duke, who advanced to the Division I final for the first time since 1992 with a 4-1 semi-final win over ACC rival Wake Forest. Stanford then captured its’ first national soccer championship with a 1-0 win on Sunday.

Stanford got a goal from freshman Chioma Ubogagu in the 22nd minute to gained a 1-0 advantage in the semi-final, and then two minutes later she assisted on a goal from Kristy Zurmullen. The Cardinal added another goal from Alina Garciamendez in the second half off a long outlet pass from Madeleine Thompson to finish the scoring. Stanford goalie Emily Oliver, the nation’s top ranked goalie in GAA, was also strong, making several key saves to keep the Seminoles off the board.

In the second semi-final match, it was Massapequa native Kim DeCesare who put the Blue Devils on the board right before halftime off a corner kick for a 1-0 lead. Teammate Mollie Pathman put Duke on the board again to start the second half before Rachel Nuzzolese of Old Brookville and Rockville Centre Soccer Club finally got Wake Forest in the scoring column. Unfortunately for the Demon Deacons, Pathman answered with her second goal of the game less than a minute later on a penalty kick, and Kaitlyn Kerr added the nail in the coffin with another score off a corner. Before this game, Wake Forest had not allowed a goal on a set play all season, but they ended the season with a program-best 18-4-4 record and their first trip to the College Cup.

On Sunday, it was a goal in the 54th minute by senior Teresa Noyola, set up by classmate Cam Levin that gave the Cardinal the only score they would need. Goalkeeper Emily Oliver made several dramatic saves on the day, allowing just one goal in six NCA Tournament games. For this senior class, despite a 95-4-4 career record, the championship was their first after two finals losses the last two years. What a way to finish!

MEN
The men competed in the quarterfinal round this weekend and the first contest provided no surprises. #1 North Carolina returns to the Final Four for the fourth straight season after defeating unranked St. Mary’s, who had never advanced to the quarterfinal round. The game drew over 5,800 fans, breaking the attendance record at Fetzer Field by 1,000 people.

Both of the Tar Heels second half goals came from transfers. Matt Hedges scored off a corner by Kirk Urso, and Ben Speas scored in the 65th minute off a feed from Billy Schuler. Carolina moves to 20-2-2 on the season, the team’s highest win total since 2001.

In other quarterfinal action, UCLA got a golden goal from Reed Williams in the 102nd minute to send the Bruins to their first semi-final since 2006. Williams took a feed from Patrick Machett in the middle of the box and beat the Louisville goalkeeper for the winner.

In Sunday’s action, Charlotte upset #3 UConn on penalty kicks in front of over 5,000 people. Connecticut had actually taken a 1-0 lead in the 82nd minute on a goal by Tony Cascio from 18 yards out, but they couldn’t hold on as Charlotte answered three minutes later to send the game into penalty kicks, where they won 4-2. It was the third consecutive year the Huskies, who entered the game 17-0-0, were eliminated from the tournament on penalty kicks.

Charlotte will face Creighton, a 1-0 overtime winner over South Florida, in the other semi-final. The #2 Blue Jays got a goal from Ethan Flinlay off a deflection in the 97th minute. It was Finlay’s 14th goal of the season and his 6th career NCAA Tournament goal, tying the school record. Creighton’s senior goalie Brian Holt, shut down Big East Offensive Player of the Year Dom Dwyer, and in the process recorded his NCAA record setting 43rd career shutout. The victory sends Creighton to the Final Four for the fourth time – and the first time since 2002. It also gave the Blue Jays a perfect home record (14-0-0) for the second time in program history.