CARY, N.C. — With kickoff temperatures hovering in the mid-30s and a light drizzle coating the immaculate field at WakeMed Soccer Park, it was far cry from soccer weather at the 2013 national title game.

It didn’t seem to faze the side from Southern California.

Kodi Lavrusky’s 97th minute tally in overtime clinched UCLA’s first national title, securing a 1-0 victory against Florida State. The goal capped off a dominant title-game performance as the Bruins punctuated a remarkable run to the crown.

“What a great game,” UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “I can’t say enough about the team and their resolve and their resilience. It was a grind it out game, it really was and Kodi’s goal in overtime was just phenomenal: the timing of the run, the ball and the first-time finish.”

For almost the entire match prior to the winner, the Bruins took the game to Florida State, outshooting the Seminoles 16-5 en route to a third straight win over an ACC team.

The Bruins had numerous opportunities early on, drawing a number of free kicks in dangerous spots – though FSU’s tenacious back line duo of Kassey Kallman and Kristin Grubka kept things mostly tight in front of goalkeeper Kelsey Wys, as UCLA failed to turn those into clear cut scoring chances.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles looked for opportunities on the counter, nearly jumping out in front – a low Jamia Fields cross was poked away and cleared in the 18th minute, while Bruin goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland almost saw a long Megan Campbell free kick sail into her net four minutes later.

The first clear look for UCLA came in the 30th minute when a Sarah Killion set piece slipped through a mess of bodies in the six-yard box. Forward Taylor Smith pounced on the loose ball and lashed a shot over Wys that hit the crossbar and bounced out for a goal kick.

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Undaunted by the miss, the Bruins continued to fly forward, and Smith found woodwork again in the 44th minute. Wys saved a long-distance drive from left back Caprice Dydasco, but the rebound was played to Smith, who hit the far post right before the half with the goal gaping.

“We knew in the first half when we gave them the wind to their back that it would be a little harder for us and we thought the second half we might get a little bit more territory,” Florida State head coach Mark Krikorian said after the game.

However, it was a similar story after the halftime break when the teams switched sides. Lavrusky tested Wys, darting into space in the box and forcing the ‘keeper into a save in the 47th minute. Jenna Richmond’s volley from outside the box was also an easy stop for the All American netminder in the 59th minute.

Krikorian wasn’t surprised to see Wys come up big time and time again.

“Kelsey’s developed into arguably the best goalkeeper in the country,” Krikorian said. “I think over the course of her time with us she’s showed her quality and her class and again today she had to make a few big saves for us.”

UCLA continued to knock on the door without finding the back of the net as the second half progressed. A cross from Rosie White in the 65th minute trickled in front of goal and somehow eluded a lunging Lavrusky, trickling into the hands of Wys.

Midfielder Sam Mewis helped lead a second half surge, as the lanky attacking mid found space on numerous occasions, looking for outside backs Ally Courtnall and Dydasco. But the Bruins couldn’t find that final ball in the attacking third, as Kallman, Grubka and Campbell always seemed to pop up at the right place at the right time to intervene before UCLA could trouble Wys.

The Seminoles had a couple of set piece opportunities late in regulation, sending forward Kallman and Grubka to try and unsettle Rowland, but the sure handed ‘keeper easily grabbed a couple of high crosses in a crowded six-yard box. Any chances the Seminoles had though were quickly snuffed out by UCLA center backs Abby Dahlkemper and Megan Oyster.

With neither immaculate defense showing cracks, it meant another overtime for UCLA, which topped Virginia on PKs on Friday. Despite that, the Bruins showed little sign of tiring, continuing to dominate the overtime period. Just when fatigue started to show, Oyster’s marauding run forward and slick through ball ended with Lavrusky’s finish – and at last, a national title for the women’s soccer program.

“It was probably the best pass of my life, I’ve never done that before – I guess it was a good time,” Oyster said of her game-winning assist.

photo credit: Associated Press