UCLA captures first-ever Big Ten Tournament title after emphatic 5-0 win over Rutgers

(Photo by: Jesus Ramirez / UCLA Athletics)

St. Louis, Mo. – No. 2 UCLA captured its first-ever Big Ten Tournament title after a clinical 5-0 win over No. 5 seed Rutgers in the championship match. The Bruins earn the conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA Championship.

It was a true team effort, as the Bruin bench played a huge role in the win, scoring four of UCLA’s five goals. Taylor Cheatham, Jordan Geis, Lily Boyden and Sophie Reale each netted goals after Val Vargas opened up the scoring in the seventh minute. For Cheatham, Boyden, Reale and Vargas, those were their first goals of the year.

UCLA, who posted its 16^th shutout of the season, did not allow a goal in the Big Ten Tournament, and the team’s five goals in the championship match set a new Big Ten Tournament record.

“It’s super special to be part of UCLA history, and part of Big Ten history this way,” said UCLA head coach Margueritte Aozasa. “I couldn’t think of a more deserving group than this one. I’m glad this was the first Big Ten championship that the school has won because this one felt really special.”

The Bruins got off to another quick start after scoring in the third minute in Thursday’s semifinal win over Washington. The Bruins’ strong passing game led to the seventh-minute goal, as quick passes from Meg Boade to Vargas to Quincy McMahon advanced the ball. McMahon laid off a pass to Kara Croone in front of goal, and with two defenders in front of her, the freshman forward turned and passed to Vargas in the box on her right. Vargas slotted a left-footed shot to the far post for the goal.

UCLA (16-3-3) doubled its lead in the 41^st minute thanks to Cheatham’s first goal of the season. Sunshine Fontes started the play by nutmegging a Rutgers player and then launching a long ball on the money to Cheatham. After evading Rutgers goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer, who came out to challenge, Cheatham’s shot was blocked by a defender, but Cheatham kept with it and banged in the rebound for her first goal of the year.

With the first half clock winding down, the Bruins looked to go into the locker room up 2-0, but Geis had other ideas, launching a shot from about 45 yards out to the upper right corner with one second remaining. The goal was Geis’ second of the season.

Boyden continued the goal scoring in the second half, heading in a McMahon cross in the 69^th minute. The goal was her first as a Bruin and McMahon’s second assist of the game. McMahon’s two assists vaulted her into a tie for eighth on UCLA’s all-time assist list with 25.

Reale joined the party in the 83^rd minute with her first career goal. Milla Shaffie set the goal up with a long pass to Geis on the right side. Geis crossed it to Reale in the box, and she put it away for the fifth score.

McMahon was named the Big Ten Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and selected to the All-Tournament Team along with Jayden Perry.

UCLA will learn its NCAA Tournament seeding during Monday’s selection show.