SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 1) - Stephanie Rigamat headed in the game-winning goal late in the second half to give UCLA a 1-0 win over the University of Portland in the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament. The win gives the Bruins their first ever appearance in the national championship game, where they will face 15-time champion North Carolina.

UCLA got off the first shot of the game just under two minutes into the contest when Tracey Milburn put a shot on goal which was saved by Portland goalkeeper Cheryl Loveless. Portland came back just over five minutes later to get a shot by Vanessa Talbott that was blocked.

The Bruins had a great scoring chance midway through the first half when Stephanie Rigamat headed a ball at just in front of the net, but Loveless again made the stop.

With about 20 minutes remaining in the first half, Portland had its best scoring chance of the half when Lisa Casagrande took a free kick that UCLA keeper CiCi Peterson had to punch out of the goal area. The save put Peterson out of position for the rebound which was stopped by UCLA's Bethany Bogart.

UCLA had another excellent scoring opportunity when Sarah-Gayle Swanson took a shot from about seven yards out and hit the top crossbar with just over 14 minutes left in the first half. Three minutes later, Swanson threatened again, this time a header stopped by Loveless. Loveless stoned Swanson for a third time on a shot on the ground from about 10 yeards out, set up by a serve into the box from Lindsay Greco with nine minutes left in the half.

The final five minutes of the first half was marked with some spirited back-and-forth play between the two teams, with neither side holding a particular advantage.

UCLA seemed to get the better of the early chances in the second half, including a free kick by Karissa Hampton and a header by Krista Boling that were both stopped by Loveless. Portland retaliated with a corner kick serve by Talbott to Betsy Barr that was headed off the right post six minutes into the half.

With 30 minutes left in regulation, Portland threatened again when Erin Misaki took a free kick from about 30 yards out that Peterson could get a complete handle on, finally covering it up just as Portland's Lindsay Smart was reaching the ball. The Pilots gave UCLA a bigger scare two minutes later when Barr headed the ball towards the top of the Bruin net that Peterson was just able to tap over the crossbar and out of danger.

UCLA finally broke the deadlock in scoring when Venus James lofted a beautiful ball into the box which Rigamat headed into the goal at the 76:27 mark of the game. The Bruins threatened again about four minutes later with a shot by Lindsay Greco, but was turned away by Loveless.

Portland had a good shot at tying the game with under two minutes to play when Misaki sent a free kick into the goal mouth, but it went just wide of the net.