It started with 64 teams. Now, it's down to four.
The 2016 NCAA Women’s College Cup is set to kick off Friday, Dec. 2 at Avaya Stadium, starting with the West Virginia University Mountaineers vs. the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (ESPNU, 2 p.m. PT), followed by the University of Southern California Trojans vs. the Georgetown Hoyas (ESPNU, 4:30 p.m. PT). The winner of each semifinal match will advance to the College Cup final Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. PT.
Ahead of the highly anticipated weekend at Avaya Stadium, we preview both matches that boast some of the most storied programs in women’s college soccer history.
2 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. #1 West Virginia | ESPNU, 2 p.m. PT
The first semifinal match features two sides who seemed destined to finish their seasons in San Jose.
The North Carolina Tar Heels (17-3-4), who finished runner-up in the 2016 ACC tournament, enter Friday’s Final Four with seven goals scored and zero goals conceded during their NCAA Championship run. In their quarterfinal match, freshman Madison Schultz scored the game-winning goal for the Tar Heels, while goalkeeper Lindsey Harris corralled a game-high eight saves in a thrilling 1-0 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. North Carolina senior Darcy McFarlane, a native of Mill Valley, and junior Annie Kingman, a native of Woodside, will be returning home to the Bay Area to cap off their 2016 campaigns.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (22-1-2) enter Friday’s semifinal with the best record in the country. The Mountaineers punched their ticket to San Jose after grinding out a double overtime victory and a penalty kick win in their College Cup Championship run. In their quarterfinal bout on Nov. 26, West Virginia defeated the Duke Blue Devils 1-0 behind a first-half goal from junior Alli Magaletta. The Mountaineers are led up top by forward Michaela Abam, who has tallied 11 goals and nine assists in 2016.
2 Georgetown Hoyas vs. #2 USC Trojans | ESPNU, 4:30 p.m. PT
The second match of the night is a clash between two teams that have never played against one other in their program's history.
The Georgetown Hoyas (20-2-3) are coming off a 1-0 quarterfinal win against Santa Clara University on Nov. 26. The 2016 BIG EAST Champions opened their tournament run with a 2-0 win against No. 22 Rutgers on Nov. 17, followed by a 2-0, third-round victory against No. 15 Virginia on Nov. 20. The Hoyas are undefeated in their last five matches and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament. According to Georgetown Hoyas Athletics, head coach Dave Nolan and his team have set school records for wins (20), shutouts (17) and goals scored (61) this season.
The USC Trojans (17-4-2) will be making their second-ever College Cup appearance after winning the program's lone title in 2007. The Trojans, who finished runner-up in the 2016 Pac-12 tournament, head up Interstate-5 to Avaya Stadium following a 1-0 shutout quarterfinal win against the Auburn Tigers on Nov. 25. The Trojans boast a strong defensive presence behind Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year Sammy Jo Prudhomme and Pac-12 Defender of the Year Mandy Freeman. During the 2016 campaign, USC did not concede a goal in 726 minutes of play, a school record.
