Portland became the first team besides North Carolina to finish the NCAA Division I womenÆs season undefeated when the Pilots crushed UCLA, 4-0, Sunday in the WomenÆs College Cup final.
Senior striker Christine Sinclair scored twice, giving her 39 goals this season for a new NCAA single-season record. Sophomore midfielder Angie Woznuk added a goal and two assists, while freshman forward Megan Rapinoe also scored and recorded an assist for UP, which finished 23-0-2.
It was the second title in four years for the Pilots.
''What do you say after a game like that?'' asked Portland coach Garrett Smith. ''The first thought through my head was, æClive (Charles), thereÆs number two for you.Æ This program was built on a great foundation and this team just showed the whole country what itÆs built out of. ItÆs built out of a lot of class, a lot of talent, and a lot of hard work, and a foundation that will always be with us.''
Woznuk scored PortlandÆs fastest goal this season in the second minute. Lindsey Huie stole a UCLA pass about 30 yards out from the BruinsÆ goal, then found, who sent a pass to an unmarked Woznuk in the middle of the box. Woznuk punched it inside the right for the first goal allowed by the Bruins this postseason.
Sinclair broke the season scoring record she shared with SMUÆs Lisa Cole in the 21st minute when she scored on a rocket from a feed by Woznuk,
Sinclair made it 3-0 after 41 minutes when she scored with a low shot just inside the far post. It was the 110th career goal for Sinclair, second most in NCAA Division I history, and gave her 25 career post-season goals, an NCAA record. Her 56 career post-season points are also tops in NCAA history and her 252 overall career points are fourth best all-time.
The lone goal in the second half came when Rapinoe, a freshman, scored her 15th goal this season and her sixth of the post season. The Pilots went into the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 in the final Soccer America rankings, but UCLA had been on a roll in the postseason. They crushed Virginia, 5-0, and Florida State, 4-0, in their previous two games before the final.
The Bruins finish the season at 22-2-2. ItÆs the second-straight loss in the College Cup final for UCLA. Notre Dame defeated the Bruins in 2004 on penalty kicks.
