NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer College Cup (WCC) final four preview

The GIST: The pro fútbol world’s eyes may be on Qatar, but the NCAA girlies will be stealing the show tonight as the final four collegiate squads face off in the Women’s College Cup (WCC). Here’s who’s kicking it in Cary, NC.

No. 1 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 2 UNC Tar Heels, 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU): The semifinal action starts with the defending champ ’Noles against the dynasty Tar Heels. UNC’s won 21 (!!!) of the 40 NCAA women’s soccer trophies, but they haven’t hoisted hardware since 2012. Meanwhile, Florida State’s bagged all of its three titles within the last decade.

• Florida State will need top performances from ACC tourney MVP Jenna Nighswonger and brick wall goalkeeper Cristina Roque, who’s only allowed a single goal all tourney. Expect the Heels to lean on their impressive offense, led by strikers Avery Patterson and Ally Sentnor, to make Monday’s final.

No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 1 UCLA Bruins, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU): The Tide, who weren’t supposed to top the SEC this year, have been the surprise that keeps on rolling. As the new kids on the WCC block, they have their work cut out for them against the one-loss Bruins’ stacked roster who reigned atop the ranks nearly all season.

• The Bruins’ knack for finding the net runs deep, as nearly every player is lethal in front of the goal. That said, their scoring abilities have slightly cooled off lately.

• Bama, on the other hand, led by strikers Riley Mattingly Parker and Ashlynn Serepca — who combined for 27 goals this season — is an offensive powerhouse. And with midfielder Felicia Knox’s 20 assists, the Tide could be the ones bidding ’bye to the Bruins.