Duke has momentum going into the semis having beaten its opponents by increasingly large margins. But UCLA is more consistent.

I give the Devils the edge - and still likely to win it all.

Not surprised the Terps couldn't defend their title. Size is a big problem for them.

UCLA v Duke may be the championship game for NCAA soccer today. Even though it is technically only last of four quarter-final matches.

Duke may be a titular #1 but UCLA has history on its side.

But sport is all about "What have you done for me lately?"

I still give the Devils the edge - if a bit smaller after reading about the Bruins. Regardless, this is a game that really would be a major broadcast in Europe.

The contrasting styles could make it a winner no matter who comes out on top. I expect Duke to be very aggressive very early, with the Bruins patiently kicking back at the end. But if Duke's early push gets them two or more goals in the first half without the Bruins scoring, it will be tremendously tough to come back. UCLA's defense is formidable. The more likely outcome is a low-scoring affair and maybe even an OT or two with a shootout. But don't count on it.

As it is, tracking this one on the internet is my only recourse. I'd rather see this than just about any other game being played today in any sport. I don't think there will be much better USA soccer played ever.

Well I'll take credit for guessing that Duke would come out strong and be tough to catch. But the Bruins showed that the tortoise can still overtake the hare.

Still there are two ACC teams left in the tournament: Virginia and Wake Forest, versus two California teams.

Wake was the more fun team to watch of the two ACC teams I saw at that tournament. They beat both North Carolina and Virginia on penalty kicks, the winning one being drilled by freshman Zack Schilawski in both games. I developed a real liking for him because he is so unpresupposing and focused for a freshman.

Should the Deacons get any team into the second half they can be very tough.

Still UCLA now has to be my favorite. Endurance seems to be their forte as well. Should be some great soccer if they get past Virginia and Wake can handle UC Santa Barbara, a team I know little to nothing about.

The brackett so far

I wonder how the Cali boys are liking the weather here in StL, as we have had a winter storm all day (freezing rain/sleet turning over to snow overnight) and it will be below freezing tomorrow night.

Guess that's the irony of soccer: a game that evolved in a land that has traditionally villified weather yet rarely has the kind of snow and wind associated with northern hemisphere countries. No wonder it's more popular, and played better, where there are better year-round conditions for running around in shorts out-of-doors.

I'll be curious to see whether the weather is the most important team member. The ACC teams have already played in freezing windy conditions - but no snow or freezing rain.

Warming subs up on the sidelines before coming in seems to have helped Wake Forest if I remember correctly. The ball probably has a different rebound and a lot more sting in the cold as well - I know headers take a bit more courage.

Defenses probably gain the advantage and that may have lead to the two double OT's which Wake won.

But don't underestimate the resilience of the Cali boys. Look at Tom Brady.

Winner take all championsips require more short term inspiration than long-term endurance. I'll still give UCLA the edge here but I've been demonstrably wrong before. If soccer had the popularity of it's younger cousin: American Football - we would have a nation full of indoor stadiums for soccer championship matches.

The teams won't have to deal with precip during the games, most of that has left the area as of now. Also the field they're using has been covered most of last night and was heated as well. Temps though, will be in the teens.

Good news: the ucla vs. uva game will be shown live on ESPN at 6 pm this evening. I fear the WF - Gauchos game is tape delay tomorrow.


brrrrr! We went to all the Final Fours when they were played in Richmond during the late 1990s (great fun!) -- the first year of that, 1996 I believe, was freezing cold -- down in the twenties maybe, esp. after dark.

The Southern teams in the tourney (uva and Duke) were wilted by the cold -- the eventual champion: Wisconsin. A little bit of Frozen Tundra in the Capital of the Confederacy!

Woohoo! Both games postponed due to weather. So maybe I'll get to see them.

UCLA v Virginia 12:00pm
Wake Forest v UC Santa Barbara 2:30pm

Pretty amazing finish to the Wake Forest UC Santa Barbara game. Zack Schilawski who kicked winning golden goals for Wake twice in the ACC tournament - a semi-final and quarterfinal - with low straight-ahead rockets suddenly decides to get fancy and floats one over the net to lose in the NCAA quarterfinals.

UCLA will have to be the favorite now after Eric Estrada trounced Virginia with two goals in the first half. His footwork in traffic near the goal was very impressive.

Gotta hand it to the Cali-boys. They came through with flying colors and earned the right to take the title back west.

Both teams will be playing without a day of rest now, though UCLA will have only a few hours more that may make a difference as well after playing in this weather.

Wish I had seen the UCSB-WF match instead of having to watch the penalthy kicks video replay on the NCAA website, since they apparently won big over #1 SMU earlier in the tournament. But I had to go to a friends 30th year anniversary party.

Sheesh. Together 30 years. These guys are about as amazing as the UCLA soccer team when it comes to long-windedness. Actually it gave me a chance to feel like the a youngster again. Not a good at my age.

Fantastic game as unranked UCSB won their first ever NCAA championship.

It certainly can't be said that these guys need the California sun in order to shine.

They took a page from Duke's book, charging hard to score twice before UCLA could get their bearings, then playing aggressive defense - probably the most fouls ever in the tournament - to do what Duke failed to do: hold that lead.

UCLA's one score was an improbable shot from the side of the goal with no angle that was most likely tipped in by the UCSB goalie's elbow from what I could see.

Their big hunky defender Andy Iro from Liverpool was as close as anyone to being the MVP IMO, waging what looked like a lover's spat with equally hunky Floridian Brad Rusin. Iro earned a well-deserved bloody nose for his aggression against another player.

Though UCSB's was a well-balanced effort. And for my money they didn't spend nearly enough camera time on Santa Barbara coach Tim vom Steeg. Maybe Andy Iro would like to have a congratulatory hug and kiss on that healing nose.