NCAA Women’s College Cup Final to feature North Carolina vs. Stanford

The 2019 Division I women’s soccer College Cup final is set with North Carolina and Stanford reaching the title game.

Washington State and North Carolina kicked things off in the first semifinal with the Tar Heels advancing on a 2-1 win. UNC and WSU come from different soccer backgrounds as the Tar Heels have won 21 national championships while Friday marked the Cougars’ first College Cup appearance.

However, before the 10-minute mark had arrived, the College Cup newcomers led thanks to a seventh-minute strike by Morgan Weaver to put the underdog Cougars up early. That lead was short lived as Alessia Russo brought the match level in the 24th minute. Then, in the 38th minute, the Heels’ most seasoned forward — Ru Mucherera — found the head of freshman Alexis Strickland on a cross for what became the game-winning goal, earning UNC a place in the finals and a chance to end the program’s longest title drought.

GOAL 2️⃣ FOR THE TAR HEELS: ALEXIS STRICKLAND#WCollegeCup | @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/UwxFy6HkzP

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 7, 2019

Stanford and UCLA met in the second semifinal, a matchup featuring two of the top offenses in both the Pac-12 and Division I. The Bruins were on the board first on a seventh-minute goal by Chloe Castaneda. However, the Cardinal responded with four unanswered scores to win the match 4-1.

UCLA’s led for 85 seconds before Sophia Smith equalized with the first of her three goals. Carley Malatskey’s tenth tally of the season put Stanford ahead before Smith netted a brace in the 31st minute and ultimately a hat trick in the 52nd. The Cardinal won the rematch of the 2017 College Cup final and now have a chance on Sunday to win a second national title in three years.

HAT TRICK SMITH ?

Sophia Smith puts Stanford up 4-1 on UCLA!#WCollegeCup | @stanfordwsoccer pic.twitter.com/Eibguu3qap

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 7, 2019

Stanford and North Carolina will meet for the 2019 College Cup on Dec. 8 from Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California. Kick off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game is available on ESPNU.