Portland’s Offense to Test UCLA

The UCLA defense hasn’t seen an offense like Portland’s all season.

Teams with contrasting soccer styles will face off for the Women’s College Cup today.

The Bruins had the nation’s second-best scoring defense during the regular season, giving up eight goals in 24 games. Portland ranked fourth in the nation in offense, scoring 3.26 goals a game during the regular season.

Bruin Coach Jillian Ellis bought her team shirts with blue collars before the season, hammering home the mantra of the old-fashioned work ethic.

Portland Coach Garrett Smith said the only color the Pilots identify with is the one they wear on their uniforms.

“We’re purple,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t label this team, because they do it all -- they play with finesse, they defend together, they attack together. They do everything together.”

The Pilots (23-0-1), playing in their eighth Final Four, are going for their second championship in four years. They beat Santa Clara in the 2002 final.

Just like three years ago, Portland beat Penn State in the semifinals this season.

The Pilots and Nittany Lions on Friday played 110 scoreless minutes before Christine Sinclair, the nation’s leading goal scorer, netted the game-winner at the end of a penalty-kick shootout.

UCLA (22-1-2) has rolled to its third straight Final Four, outscoring five opponents, 25-0, after Friday’s 4-0 rout of Florida State.

The Bruins have shut out 17 of their last 19 NCAA tournament opponents.

“When it comes down to it, none of the past games matter,” sophomore midfielder Stephanie Kron said.

“Yeah, we’ve shut out opponents. The fact that we’ve scored that many goals isn’t as important because it’s tomorrow’s game that’s going to make the difference.”