The Bruins got their No. 1 seed, but they also got the tough road.
Just after 5 p.m. Monday night, the UCLA women’s soccer team discovered their NCAA Tournament fate.
The Bruins were rewarded for their undefeated season with a No. 1 seed out West for the third time, which means they will play every game at home until the national semifinals at the College Cup in North Carolina.
“We’re really happy about having the chance to play at home,” junior forward Kara Lang said. “Obviously having home-field advantage is huge for us. We’re just thinking about Fresno State now.
But the Bruins also landed in what is debatably the hardest corner of the draw.
If the Bruins get past Fresno State this Friday, they would half to take on University of San Diego in the second round, and USC in the third round.
It is most likely that by the fourth round, UCLA would have to square off against an ACC, power, either the No. 3 seed Duke or the No. 2 seed Virginia.
And if they were to make it to sixth straight College Cup, North Carolina is the team favored to meet them in the national semifinals. In that scenario, the Tar Heels would be playing essentially at home.
Although USD appears to be only a second round opponent for the Bruins, the Toreros were ranked No. 14 in the nation when the final poll was complied. USC is the defending National Champion, and was No. 9 in the last poll. Both Duke and Virgina were ranked lower than the Trojans in the final poll.
The Bruns beat both USD and USC eariler in the season, by a tally of 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.
The potential for a third-round matchup of two teams that played in the National semifinal a year ago was puzzling to UCLA coach Jill Ellis.
“I think it’s unfortunate that two semifinalists from last year have to meet in a third round game,” she said. “But you have to play who you half to play. I just think it’s two teams that should get showcased at a higher level, but it is what it is.”
But the Bruins are doing their best not to look to far ahead. They said they are focused on Fresno State, a team they no “nothing” about according to Ellis.
“It’s defiantly an accomplishment, but it’s also a start,” senior midfielder McCall Zerboni said of the No, 1 seed. “It’s a beginning and an end at the same time. We’re just looking forward to what this means and what it’s starting.”
The other No. 1s
The NCAA seeding committee gave the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament to Notre Dame, who finished their season a perfect 21-0. Other No. 1 seeds went to North Carolina and Stanford. Despite being 17-1, perennial power Portland was given a No. 2 seed in Stanford’s region.
Six teams from the Pac-10, including UCLA earned births to the tournament. In addition to UCLA, Stanford and USC, Cal, Washington and Washington State all will start their quest for a title on Friday.
The Bruins will start their post season against Fresno State at Drake Stadium at 5:30 p.m.