The 1-0 win over Florida State was played out in cold and rainy conditions which provided a difficult setting for both sides.
White’s side came close to taking the lead in the 66th minute when the young Kiwi sent a cross in towards Kodi Lavrusky who couldn’t quite get a foot to it on this occasion.
In the 97th minute the side’s luck changed as Megan Oyster brought the ball down the left before crossing to the middle. The pass was slipped in front of Lavrusky who left-footed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net and past diving Florida keeper Kelsey Wys.
“Honestly, I just took my chances,” Oyster said. “I knew we were going to get one eventually. I just stayed composed, and it was probably the best pass of my life. I’ve never done that before but I guess it was a good time to do that.”
It is the first time a title match has been decided in overtime since 2002.
UCLA was winless in its three previous appearances in the championship game, all since 2000, and have finished the season with a 21-game unbeaten streak.
UCLA coach Amanda Cromwell said looking back it might have been one of the best runs the side has ever had.
“This team is phenomenal. The amount of talent we have, and what we brought forth throughout that run was the mentality and resolve. I think the toughness of those games brought us to this point,” she said.
“I knew these girls were destined to win.”
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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