Adams’ Two Goals Help UCLA Women’s Soccer Advance

Danesha Adams was hardly the only reason that the UCLA women’s soccer team was able to begin and end the University of San Diego’s season in defeat, but the freshman forward proved to be the major factor in the Toreros’ demise.

Adams, who scored twice in UCLA’s 4-0, season-opening victory over San Diego on Aug. 27, scored two more goals Sunday and the Bruins advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division I playoffs for the sixth consecutive season with a 3-0 victory over the Toreros at Drake Stadium.

“I don’t know what it is. I’ve just done well against them,” said Adams, who has 10 goals and four assists. “I started the season well, and now I’m trying to finish it the same way.”

The same goes for the No. 14-seeded Bruins (15-6), 2003 semifinalists who caught a break when unseeded Duke (15-7) upset third-seeded Virginia, 3-0, in another second-round game Sunday.

As result of a higher seeding, the Bruins will probably play host to the Blue Devils in the third round Friday or Saturday, instead of having to go east for their next game.

“This was a big game. We’re looking to finish well, and we’re not stopping,” said Adams, who extended UCLA’s 1-0 halftime edge in the 58th minute with a header after a corner kick by Iris Mora. Adams scored again in the 81st minute on a slow roller she kicked over the goal-line in a scramble in front of the net.