BY SCOTT FRENCH, Senior Editor in Dallas Aly Wagner scored a superb goal near the end of the first half and Santa Clara’s impeccable defense limited North Carolina to two shots on goal as the Broncos claimed their first NCAA women’s soccer title Sunday with a 1-0 triumph in the College Cup final at Southern Methodist University’s Ford Stadium. “North Carolina is the standard, and they’re still the standard today,” Santa Clara coach Jerry Smith said. “But we measured up today.” The Tar Heels have won 16 of 20 NCAA titles — including the previous two — and an AIAW crown in 1981, playing in all but one of the past 21 national finals. Jessica Ballweg stripped Amy Whittier of the ball on the right flank, played a 1-2 with Leslie Osborne, then fed Wagner just beyond the top of the box. The junior playmaker, voted offensive MVP of the College Cup, took a touch to maneuver Tar Heel defender Danielle Borgman out of the play, then fired into the upper-left corner. Santa Clara (23-2), which had lost in the semifinals in its seven previous College Cup appearances, got superb defensive efforts from Wagner, midfielders Devvyn Hawkins and Kerry Cathcart, defenders Danielle Slaton — the weekend’s defensive MVP — and Anna Kraus, and, in limiting Carolina winger Jena Kluegel’s effectiveness, Ballweg and Bree Horvath. Carolina (24-1) celebrated a tying goal in the 59th minute, a Sara Randolph blast from the top of the box through traffic, and had returned to their side of the field for the kickoff. Referee Rachel Woo at first acknowledged the goal, then conferred with her assistant, finally waving off the goal on an offside call. Television replays indicated that forward Anne Remy, parked in front of Santa Clara goalkeeper Alyssa Sobolik, was in an offside position. The game was primarily a midfield battle with neither side able to create much rhythm. The Broncos had some flow late in the first half, leading to Wagner’s goal, and North Carolina supplied heavy pressure on Santa Clara’s back line in the final 20 minutes. The Tar Heels’ best opportunity was a 77th-minute Catherine Reddick free kick that Leslie Gaston headed wide of the net. Santa Clara was without forward Veronica Zepeda nearly all of the second half. The sophomore All-American, who had played the past two seasons with shin splints, took a nifty pass from Leslie Osborne and raced into the Carolina box. She was clipped in the shin by Borgman as she fired at goalkeeper Jenni Branam and had to be helped from the field. Midfielders Jordan Walker and Maggie Tomecka did a fine job denying Wagner space to operate, and the Tar Heels’ strong team defense left few channels through which to maneuver. Randolph, one of three freshmen — with Osborne and Ballweg — selected for the all-tournament team, was outstanding on the right wing. NCAA WOMEN’S COLLEGE CUP at Dallas (Ford Stadium, SMU) Sunday’s final Santa Clara 1 North Carolina 0. Goal: Wagner (Ballweg, Osborne) 41. Friday’s semifinals North Carolina 2 Portland 1. Goals: Remy (Ramsey, Morrell) 15, Ball (Remy, Randolph) 59; Casagrande 70. Santa Clara 3 Florida 2 (OT). Goals: Zepeda (Wagner) 42, Osborne (Wagner) 77, Zepeda (Ballweg) 94; Frimpong (Wambach) 84, Johnston (Hamel) 87. All-Tournament team Goalkeeper — Jordan Kellgren (Florida). Defenders — Jessica Ballweg (Santa Clara), Anna Kraus (Santa Clara), Catherine Reddick (North Carolina), Danielle Slaton (Santa Clara). Midfielders — Jena Kluegel (North Carolina), Sara Randolph (North Carolina), Aly Wagner (Santa Clara). Forwards — Leslie Osborne (Santa Clara), Anne Remy (North Carolina), Veronica Zepeda (Santa Clara). Offensive MVP — Aly Wagner (Santa Clara). Defensive MVP — Danielle Slaton (Santa Clara). NATIONAL CHAMPIONS NCAA 2001 — Santa Clara 2000 — North Carolina 1999 — North Carolina 1998 — Florida 1997 — North Carolina 1996 — North Carolina 1995 — Notre Dame 1994 — North Carolina 1993 — North Carolina 1992 — North Carolina 1991 — North Carolina 1990 — North Carolina 1989 — North Carolina 1988 — North Carolina 1987 — North Carolina 1986 — North Carolina 1985 — George Mason 1984 — North Carolina 1983 — North Carolina 1982 — North Carolina AIAW 1981 — North Carolina 1980 — Cortland State 2001 COLLEGE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS NCAA DIVISION I: Santa Clara (23-2) NCAA Division II: UC San Diego (21-2) NCAA Division III: Ohio Wesleyan (22-1) NAIA: Westmont (19-4)