The NCAA News - News and Features

December 15, 1997

North Carolina tops Connecticut for another I women's soccer title

Parity may be a word for much of the women's soccer competition in Division I -- but not at the top.

North Carolina rode a stingy defense and an opportunistic offense to a 2-0 victory over Connecticut in the final of the Division I Women's Soccer Championship December 7 at North Carolina-Greensboro.

The title was the Tar Heels' 14th in 16 years.

Cindy Parlow's first-half goal was all North Carolina needed to subdue a pesky Connecticut team that upset Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Robin Confer, named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player, added a goal with under three minutes to play as the Tar Heels spent most of the closing minutes firing shots at Huskies' goalkeeper Heather Stone, who turned in a fine performance with eight saves.

North Carolina keeper Siri Mullinix was even better, allowing just one goal in five tournament games to earn honors as the tournament's most outstanding defensive star.

"I think the teams are getting better and better," North Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance said. "And there's no better indication of that than a North Carolina goalkeeper getting some recognition.

"But history has to judge this team -- in other words, this team had to win to take its place among the great ones. I would say this team is among the top two in the program."

The title came in the Tar Heels' home state and in front of a championship-record crowd of 9,460. Their 27-0-1 record completed a 10th unbeaten season, while Connecticut ended up 23-4.

A much anticipated rematch between the top-ranked Tar Heels and second-ranked Notre Dame never developed, thanks to Connecticut's 2-1 upset of the Irish in the semifinals. Connecticut, which had lost to Notre Dame twice earlier this season, staved off a potent Irish attack with the help of nine saves from Stone and two goals from Sara Whalen.

Notre Dame (23-1-1) outshot the Huskies, 28-6, but could muster only a late second-half goal from Jenny Streiffer.

North Carolina had to rally for its 2-1 semifinal win over Santa Clara with second-half goals from Lorrie Fair and Confer, who netted the game-winner from about 22 yards out.

"It was a shot," Confer said of the direct kick that slipped through a wall of Santa Clara defenders. "I went for the far post and when I hit it, I didn't think I had put enough on it. Cindy Parlow ran in front and screened the keeper and it went in."

The two teams had met in last year's semifinals, with North Carolina winning by the same 2-1 count. The loss ended Santa Clara's season at 20-3-1.

The all-tournament team consisted of Parlow, Confer, Mullinix, Fair, Staci Wilson and Tiffany Roberts from North Carolina; Stone, Whalen, Jen Tietjen and Carey Dorn from Connecticut; Streiffer and Holly Manthei from Notre Dame; and Santa Clara's Mandy Clemens and Jacqui Little.

SEMIFINALS

Santa Clara -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

North Caro. -- 0 -- 2 -- 2

First half: SC -- Mandy Clemens (Nikki Selenga, Jacqui Little), 28:09.

Second half: NC -- Lorrie Fair (Nel Fettig), 50:38; NC -- Robin Confer (unassisted), 68:28.

Shots: Santa Clara 5, North Caro. 12. Goalkeeper saves: Santa Clara (Crystal Gordon) 4, North Caro. (Siri Mullinix) 2. Corner kicks: Santa Clara 1, North Caro. 10. Fouls: Santa Clara 12, North Caro. 19. Attendance: 9,025.

Connecticut -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

Notre Dame -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

First half: C -- Sara Whalen (Jen Carlson), 41:01.

Second half: C -- Whalen (Jennifer Tietjen), 64:37; ND -- Jenny Streiffer (Holly Manthei), 76:01.

Shots: Connecticut 6, Notre Dame 28. Goalkeeper saves: Connecticut (Heather Stone) 9, Notre Dame (LaKeysia Beene) 1. Corner kicks: Connecticut 0, Notre Dame 10. Fouls: Connecticut 19, Notre Dame 11. Attendance: 9,025.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Connecticut -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

North Caro. -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

First half: NC -- Cindy Parlow (Raven McDonald, Lindsay Stoecker), 20:03.

Second half: NC -- Robin Confer (Nel Fettig), 87:46.

Shots: Connecticut 5, North Caro. 20. Goalkeeper saves: Connecticut (Heather Stone) 8, North Caro. (Siri Mullinix) 3. Corner kicks: Connecticut 3, North Caro. 7. Fouls: Connecticut 9, North Caro. 16. Attendance: 9,460.