Tar Heels Oust Bruins From Soccer Playoffs

North Carolina and Connecticut will meet in the NCAA Division I women’s soccer championship game after posting shutout semifinal victories Friday at Cary, N.C.

The Tar Heels, seeking their 17th NCAA title, defeated fourth-seeded UCLA, 3-0, after the unseeded Huskies beat Florida State, 2-0.

North Carolina (26-0) got goals from Kendall Fletcher, Heather O’Reilly and on an own goal by the Bruins (20-2-3). The Tar Heels have outscored their five tournament opponents, 26-0.

Kristen Graczyk scored twice off assists from Jessica Gjertsen to lead Connecticut (15-5-4) past the Seminoles.

The Tar Heels showed their power and speed early, breaking through in the 24th minute when Alyssa Ramsey’s corner kick curved around goalie Arianna Criscione. Fletcher put the ball in with her thigh.

They made it 2-0 five minutes later when Bruin defender Kathryn Lee’s pass back to Criscione went past her. O’Reilly scored her 11th goal in 11 games with four minutes left.

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In the first round of the NCAA Division I volleyball tournament at USC’s Lyon Center, Loyola Marymount defeated Cal State Northridge, 30-21, 30-22, 30-26.

The Lions (26-6) will play top-ranked USC in the second round tonight at 6. The Trojans (30-0) beat New Hampshire, 30-17, 30-18, 30-17.

Loyola dominated its match, outhitting Northridge, .316 to .154. Kealani Kimball led the Lions with 15 kills and 12 digs. Jennifer Fopma had 18 kills for the Matadors (16-13).

The Trojans were led by middle blockers Emily Adams and Bibiana Candelas. Davis had 12.5 points thanks to a match-high nine kills and five blocks. Candelas hit .538.

For New Hampshire (23-12), Alyson Coler had a team-best 10 points and 10 kills.

UC Irvine (24-9) advanced to the second round for the first time in school history with a 30-27, 31-33, 25-30, 30-28, 15-12 victory over Missouri (18-11) at Pauley Pavilion. Anteater outside hitter Kelly Wing led both teams with 31 kills.

The Anteaters will play UCLA (22-8), which advanced with a 30-20, 30-17, 30-24 victory over San Diego (17-13).

Pepperdine (27-2) advanced to the third round with a 23-30, 30-20, 30-14, 30-23 victory over Kansas in front of 2,003 at Firestone Fieldhouse. Katie Wilkins led the Waves with 19 kills and 13 digs.