UCLA and USC Women Gain NCAA Soccer Byes

The UCLA and USC women’s soccer teams will have first-round byes when the NCAA tournament begins Wednesday, it was announced Sunday night when the pairings were released.

The seventh-ranked Trojans (14-5, 7-2 Pacific 10) will host the winner of the Baylor-Southern Methodist match in a second-round game this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Coliseum. The No. 17 Bruins (14-4-1, 6-2-1) will host the winner of San Diego State-University of San Diego in a second-round game Saturday at 1 p.m. at North Athletic Field.

UCLA secured its opening-round bye by defeating USC, 3-0, Sunday at North Athletic Field. The Bruins got goals from Lauren Emblem, Staci Duncan and Breana Boling while outshooting the Trojans, 13-4. The loss left USC behind Stanford (14-4-1, 7-1-1) in the final Pac-10 standings.

Big West champion Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (12-8) will play at Fresno State (14-5-2) on Wednesday.