UCLA Men’s Soccer Is Headed To The College Cup Championship, Defeat Providence 3-2 In Overtime

The #2 UCLA Men’s Soccer are headed to the 2014 NCAA Men’s College Cup Championship Game after a 3-2 win over the #11 Providence Friars in two overtimes. The Bruins had to comeback from being down 2-1 midway through the second half to force extra time against a feisty Providence team. It was the third overtime win in four games for the Bruins who are now set to face the #16 Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday at 12 noon PT for the National Championship.

Dec 12, 2014; Cary, NC, USA; Providence Friars goalkeeper Keasel Broome (1) attempts to clear the ball as UCLA Bruins forward Larry Ndjock (11) pressures during the first half of a College Cup Semi-Final at Wake Med Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA Today

Twice Abu Danladi had found Larry Ndjock on crosses that proved deadly. The first was right before the half when Ndjock who took the pass and showed off his fancy foot work to get around the Friar’s goalie along the end line for the tap in. Despite Providence in control of the ball for most of the half, UCLA had 5 shots to Providence’s 2.

The second half was more of the same as the Friars were stingy with the ball and continued to sustain long possessions. Their efforts to attack more paid off as Providence scored with 25 and 14 minutes left to play.

UCLA had picked up their tempo after the second Friars goal and had finally sustained some long possessions of their own. With eight minutes remaining, Danladi had pushed the ball down to the right base line and tapped in an arcing cross into the penalty box where Ndjock headed it in. This game was going to overtime.

In college soccer, whoever gets the golden goal wins the game after regulation. It did not happen in the first half, but in the second when the Bruins got their chance on a corner kick, things bounced their way. Chase Gasper was in perfect position to take the ball that ricocheted off an attempted clearance. Gasper had kicked in the volley that bounced of a Providence defender and into the net. UCLA wins 3-2. The Bruins now take on Virginia for a chance to win their fifth National Championship and UCLA’s 113th overall. Go Bruins!