For just the fourth time in 20 years, North Carolina's dynasty in women's soccer has been interrupted.

Santa Clara won its first Division I Women's Soccer Championship December 9 at Southern Methodist on a late first-half goal, denying North Carolina a 17th title.

The Broncos' 1-0 victory was only the fourth setback in North Carolina's 19 championship-game appearances. George Mason won the 1984 championship after the Tar Heels had captured the first three, and Notre Dame snapped the Tar Heels' nine-game championship win streak in 1995. Florida posted a 1-0 win over the Tar Heels in the 1998 championship game.

The Broncos scored the decisive goal after a string of passes. Leslie Osborne started the chain when she picked up a loose ball at midfield and sent it to Jessica Ballweg in the far right corner. Ballweg slid a pass about 20 yards from the goal to Aly Wagner, who scored just four minutes before the half. Wagner's game-winning goal was her 17th of the season and fourth in the tournament. She led the nation in assists and finished fifth overall in scoring.

"Santa Clara played a heck of a game to beat us. The goal they scored was absolutely world-class," said North Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance, who has guided the Tar Heels to all 16 of their championships.

North Carolina had only one shot on goal in the first half and few chances in the second, then had to endure a heartbreaker to boot. With 13 minutes left in the game, Sara Randolph's apparent game-tying goal was called a no shot because of an offside call.

"We've been to this weekend many times over the years and have come up empty," Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith said of the Broncos' previous 0-7 semifinal record. "Winning against anyone is sweet. We wanted to measure ourselves against the standard -- and that's what North Carolina is. Today we measured up."

The Broncos won their first semifinal with a 3-2 win over Florida. Veronica Zepeda scored the game-winner in overtime.

Santa Clara's Wagner was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player and teammate Danielle Slaton was named the most outstanding defensive player. Fellow Broncos Osborne, Ballweg and Anna Kraus joined them on the all-tournament team. North Carolina's Jenna Kluegel, Sara Randolph, Anne Remy, Catherine Reddick and Jordan Kellgren completed the all-tournament team.

Quarterfinals

North Carolina 2, Penn St. 1; Santa Clara 3, Virginia 2; Portland 4, Texas A&M 1; Florida 2, UCLA 0 (2 ot).

First half: NC -- Anne Remy (Alyssa Ramsey, Anne Morrell), 14:08.

Second half: NC -- Elizabeth Ball (Anne Remy, Sara Randolph), 58:28; P -- Lisa Casagrande (unassisted), 69:34.

Shots: North Carolina 18, Portland 6. Goalkeeper saves: North Carolina (Jenni Branam) 0; Portland (Cristin Shea) 8. Corner kicks: North Carolina 6, Portland 4.

First half: SC -- Veronica Zepeda (Aly Wagner), 41:10.

Second half: SC -- Leslie Osborne (Aly Wagner), 76:43; F -- Crystal Frimpong (unassisted), 83:37; F -- Katie Johnston (Casey Hamel), 86:57.

Overtime: SC -- Veronica Zepeda (Jessica Ballweg), 93:47.

Shots: Santa Clara 20, Florida 8. Goalkeeper saves: Santa Clara (Alyssa Sobolik) 2; Florida (Jordan Kellgren) 7. Corner kicks: Santa Clara 5, Florida 5.

Championship

First half: SC -- Aly Wagner (Leslie Osborne, Jessica Ballweg), 40:44.

Shots: Santa Clara 8, North Carolina 7. Goalkeeper saves: Santa Clara (Alyssa Sobolik) 2; North Carolina (Jenni Branam) 3. Corner kicks: Santa Clara 2, North Carolina 4.