NCAA grants women’s soccer No. 1 seed

The Bruins got their No. 1 seed, but they also got the tough road.

Just after 5 p.m. Monday night, the UCLA women’s soccer team discovered its NCAA Tournament fate.

The Bruins were rewarded for their undefeated season with a No. 1 seed out West for the third time, which means they will play every game at home until the national semifinals at the College Cup in Cary, N.C.

“We’re really happy about having the chance to play at home,” junior redshirt forward Kara Lang said. “Obviously having home-field advantage is huge for us. We’re just thinking about Fresno State now.”

But the Bruins also landed in what is debatably the hardest corner of the draw.

If the Bruins get past Fresno State this Friday, they would probably have to take on the San Diego Toreros in the second round and USC in the third round.

It is most likely that by the fourth round, UCLA will have to square off against an Atlantic Coast Conference power, either the No. 3 seed Duke or the No. 2 seed Virginia.

And if UCLA were to make it to its sixth straight College Cup, North Carolina would be the team favored to meet the Bruins in the national semifinals. In that scenario, the Tar Heels would essentially play at home.

Although USD appears to be only a second-round opponent for the Bruins, the Toreros were ranked No. 14 in the nation when the final poll was compiled. USC is the defending national champion and was No. 9 in the last poll. Both Duke and Virginia were ranked lower than the Trojans in the final poll.

The Bruins beat both USD and USC earlier in the season by a tally of 3-0 and 2-1, respectively.

The potential for a third-round matchup of two teams that played in the national semifinal a year ago was puzzling to UCLA coach Jillian Ellis.

“I think it’s unfortunate that two semifinalists from last year have to meet in a third-round game,” she said. “But you have to play who you have to play. I just think it’s two teams that should get showcased at a higher level, but it is what it is.”

But the Bruins are doing their best not to look too far ahead. They said they are focused on Fresno State, a team they know “nothing” about, according to Ellis.

“It’s definitely an accomplishment, but it’s also a start,” senior midfielder McCall Zerboni said of the No. 1 seed. “It’s a beginning and an end at the same time. We’re just looking forward to what this means and what it’s starting.”

THE OTHER NO. 1S: The NCAA seeding committee gave the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament to Notre Dame, which finished its season with a perfect 21-0. Other No. 1 seeds went to North Carolina and Stanford. Despite being 17-1, perennial power Portland was given a No. 2 seed in Stanford’s region.

Six teams from the Pac-10, including UCLA, earned berths to the tournament. In addition to UCLA, Stanford and USC, California, Washington and Washington State all will start their quest for a title on Friday.

The Bruins will start their postseason against Fresno State at Drake Stadium at 5:30 p.m.