Men’s soccer defeats Providence in OT, advances to NCAA title game

CARY, N.C. — As overtime wound down in the 105th minute of Friday’s NCAA semifinal between UCLA and Providence, neither team looked likely to break through.

Then, a Bruin corner deflected off a defender, arcing high in the air, where UCLA freshman defender Chase Gasper waited for it to descend. Standing at the top of the box, Gasper volleyed it goal-ward, where it took a deflection off a Providence defender. The shot wrong-footed the Providence goalie, ending up in the top corner of the net as a match-winner – booking UCLA’s ticket to the NCAA championship match on Sunday at 9 a.m. against No. 16 seed Virginia.

The Bruins began the first half on the front foot, controlling the ball and repeatedly attacking the Friars consistently. Despite the fact that they dominated much of the middle third, however, the team lacked that final ball going forward and couldn’t link up play enough to generate any dangerous chances going forward.

By pushing players high up the pitch, UCLA opened itself up to the counterattack. And it was Providence who came closest to scoring early on, as a shot from forward Mac Steeves was blocked feet from the line by a Bruin defender in the 16th minute.

As the half wore on, junior forward Larry Ndjock was subbed in for the Bruins, and his presence on the front line turned the needle in favor of UCLA. With Ndjock on the pitch, the Bruins began to bridge the gap into the final third, pressing the Friars repeatedly.

And indeed, four minutes after junior midfielder/defender Grady Howe’s screaming volley off a corner kick was turned away by the Providence keeper in the 39th, the Bruins struck a blow.

Senior attacking midfielder Leo Stolz passed to freshman forward Abu Danladi down the right flank, and Danladi’s through ball to Ndjock was turned into a shot on goal. The Providence keeper made a save from 2 yards out, but the ball rebounded right to Ndjock, who didn’t miss on his second opportunity. His bouncing shot put the Bruins ahead and on the front foot, heading into the half. 

The second half began much as the first had, with UCLA controlling the ball, looking for a two-goal cushion. However, much as in the start of the first half, the Bruins failed to break through, and this time it would come back to hurt them.

In the 65th, a header from the right side by Steeves equalized the score at 1-1. Providence seized momentum by the reins, and refused to let go – scoring the go-ahead on a deflected effort eight minutes later.

Up 2-1, it seemed as if the Friars would be able to prevail. They pressed the Bruins hard, and UCLA struggled to maintain possession. But, with nine minutes left in the match, the Bruins’ strike team equalized, Danladi’s deflected shot finding the head of Ndjock. And just like at the end of the first half, Ndjock scored, this time to tie the game at 2-2. 

So the Bruins, nine minutes left in their season, on their heels, found a way to crawl back level. Neither side could find a winning blow in the rest of regulation, and the match went to overtime.

For the first 14 minutes of overtime, both teams went back and forth in the midfield, with neither team breaking through. Providence took several shots from long range, but none found the goal. In the 105th minute, a Providence kick finally did reach the back of the net – but it was the Friars’ own net. UCLA’s shot attempt by Gasper became a golden goal after a Providence player’s clearance attempt went right past the Friar keeper. 

With their second golden goal of the postseason under their belts, the Bruins will look to win UCLA’s 113th national title – and its first men’s soccer national championship since 2002.

Compiled by Anay Dattawadkar, Bruin sports reporter.