UCLA Region 3rd Round Game Breakdowns
#1 UCLA vs. Connecticut
The Sweet 16 has plenty of great matchups, but this may be the one to watch. UCLA cruised past Elon 4-0 in the second round. Forward Victor Chavez found the back of the net twice and Leo Stolz dished out three assists. The Bruins are not a particularly high scoring unit, yet there may not be a more efficient offense in the nation. Even Andre Blake may not be able to make enough saves when Stolz is setting up Chavez. Blake, the Connecticut, keeper is the hero of the moment after saving two penalty kicks against UMBC in the second round to advance the Huskies to play UCLA. Blake, who has been called up to the full Jamaican team as well as starting for the U-20, is a future pro and the best keeper in the collegiate ranks. With Blake between the posts, UConn can beat anybody. But somebody has to score for the Huskies if they want to beat UCLA. Freshman Cyle Larin, who netted his 12th goal of the year against UMBC, and Mamadou Diouf, who also scored in the 2-2 tie in Maryland, are coming into form at the right time. The Bruins may be the favorite, especially in Westwood, but do not look past the Huskies if they can keep the score low.
Virginia got off to a good start in the NCAA Tournament, beating St. John’s 2-0. This is the first time Virginia has reached the third round since they won it all in 2009. That may not sound too significant, yet this is a program that has been to the tournament 33 times in a row. The expectations are different in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers are a team who can survive and advance. Against the Red Storm both goals came off of set pieces and Virginia will do damage in a variety ways. Keeper Calle Brown, who made just his fifth career start, was solid in goal and recorded four saves in the second round. Marquette could make him work a little more. It took 100 minutes for Marquette to net a goal against Akron in the second round, but Coco Navarro’s sixth shot of the game found the back of the net right at the end of the first overtime. Marquette fired 19 shots with 10 on target. C Nortey and Adam Lysak, along with Navarro, form a dangerous trio up top and Virginia’s stingy defense will be tested again. Marquette has a solid defense of their own led by defender Axel Sjoberg and keeper Charlie Lyon. This one could easily go either way and both are capable of winning another contest after this one and reach the College Cup.
See all Men’s Soccer Breakdowns
