Maybe it's unfair to have to play one of the nation's top teams before even reaching the semifinals. Or to have to travel 3,000 miles to do it. But right now there's only one thing that can be said for the Penn State women's soccer team.

It wasn't supposed to end this way.

The Nittany Lions (19-3-3) had their playoff run halted as they suffered their worst loss of the season on Friday night, falling to No. 4 seed UCLA (20-1-3), 4-0.

The Lions' season came to an end just one game short of their second straight College Cup, soccer's version of the Final Four.

"It's always difficult to end your season in this manner, especially since these five seniors have been so very special to the program," Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins said. "I wish UCLA all the luck in the College Cup."

The Bruins got goals from four different players, including a three-point performance from their star, Iris Mora, who tallied a goal and an assist.

Mora's score in the 36th minute made it 2-0 and was just one of many bad bounces for the Lions on a night where little went right. Mora's shot hit the post, then deflected off the back of Penn State goalkeeper

Amanda Brown for the goal, closing out a nightmare first half in which the Lions didn't manage a shot.

The Bruins drew first blood 15 minutes into the match, when Whitney Jones chested a rebound past Penn State goalkeeper Amanda Brown after a corner kick.

Bristyn Davis and Kim Devine closed out the scoring in the second half, as Devine's goal came in the last minute to ice the victory for the Bruins.

Penn State could only manage five shots against Bruins' goalkeeper Arianna Criscione and only forced her to make one save in the game.

Senior forward Heidi Drummond had one of the best chances of the night for the Lions, getting a head on a serve by fellow senior Joanna Lohman. The redirection went just wide of the net, however, and Penn State was held off the scoreboard.

It was the final game for Lohman and Drummond, who will undoubtedly go down as two of the top players in Penn State women's soccer history. It was also the final collegiate game for defender Leigh Hamilton and midfielders Stephanie Smith and Mandy Komar.

After coming off of one of their most impressive performances of the season last week against Texas A&M, the Lions were peaking as they left for Los Angleles. Despite defeating the Bruins on their home field last season, 1-0, the Lions were not able to repeat against one of the nation's top programs.

"To win the way we did is fantastic," UCLA coach Jillian Ellis said. "It was a total team performance tonight. Penn State is a tremendous team. It feels fantastic to be back in the College Cup."

The Bruins will take on undefeated North Carolina in the College Cup this weekend. The Tar Heels are the only team to defeat them this season. The other semifinal matches Florida State and Connecticut.