Womens Soccer

10 p.m. Friday at Drake Stadium

As the crowd counted down the game's final seconds on Saturday, many players on the Penn State women's soccer team began to join them, and deservedly so.

With their 3-0 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies, the Nittany Lions continue to build momentum advancing to the fourth round of the NCAA tournament for the sixth straight season.

Next, the Lions travel to Los Angeles to face No. 4 UCLA on Friday at 10 p.m. Despite the long road trip across the country, Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins is confident in her teams ability.

"We're going to continue building confidence," Wilkins said. "We're familiar with UCLA, we've been there before."

UCLA brings a 19-1-3 record into the quarterfinal matchup after a third round 1-0 victory over No. 13 Kansas. The Lions are cruising with a 19-2-3 record.

Although they have enjoyed success throughout the season, the Lions have been unstoppable at home, posting a perfect record at Jeffrey Field this season.

While they will be giving up that home field advantage on Friday, none of the Lions appear to be worried.

"The more quality teams we beat, the more we deserve the national championship," senior midfielder Joanna Lohman said.

UCLA boasts a very talented group of players.

They are led by leading scorer sophomore forward Iris Mora and senior forward Sarah-Gayle Swanson.

Swanson notched the Bruins' game winner against Kansas.

Despite this, with Lohman, sophomore forward Tiffany Weimer, senior forward Heidi Drummond and a very talented supporting cast, this Lions squad looks more confident and poised than ever before.

If they continue to build their confidence -- especially with a win against a powerful Bruins team in Los Angeles -- they pose a serious threat to North Carolina's domination of women's soccer.

-- By Dan O'Connell