Dec. 9, 2001
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SANTA CLARA
Head Coach Jerry Smith
(on game)
"I want to start by congratulating North Carolina on a great effort. I also want to congratulate our team on playing with such grittiness and toughness. I am very proud of them. We've been to this weekend many times over the years and come up empty. I'm just happy to get out of the weekend with a pair of wins."
(on the game's lack of flow)
"It certainly didn't help us. We're a team that likes flow and rhythm. We had a nice stretch after the timeout in the first half, where we had some rhythm, and that's when we got our goal."
(on Santa Clara's continued attacking play after the goal)
"I never visualized shutting out a team like North Carolina. They just have too many weapons. We didn't think we could just sit back because we knew they'd get a goal at some point. Luckily for us, they never did."
(on Gerald J. Ford Stadium)
"It was a beautiful venue - one we'll always remember. We loved the stadium. It was beautiful."
(on any added pleasure of winning the title against the UNC dynasty)
"Winning against any one is sweet. We wanted to measure ourselves against the standard - and that's what North Carolina is. Today we measured up. I would love it if some day some one says, 'We want to measure ourselves versus Santa Clara."
Aly Wagner
(on the game-winning goal)
"I got a great pass to get in that position and earlier in the game I had had a shot and (North Carolina) stepped in and deflected the shot. I made a mental note of that, so when I got the ball, I just cut the ball back to get open and got off the shot."
(on the game's physicality)
"We knew it would be a physical game. North Carolina is a physical team and we knew we'd have to 'bring it' in the final."
Anna Kraus
(end of game)
"It was getting down to the nitty-gritty and they were pressuring us hard. That's when we do very well. We just keep our focus and believe in ourselves. Being a senior, being my last game, I don't think you could ask for anything better."
Jessica Ballweg
(on Jenna Klugel)
"It was really good experience playing against a player like her. She was dangerous throughout the whole game. We just had to step up."
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NORTH CAROLINA
Head Coach Anson Dorrance
(on game)
"I want to congratulate the Santa Clara Broncos. They played a heck of a game today to beat us. The goal they scored was absolutely world class."
"I am very proud of my kids, they never game up today."
"I wanted my kids to congratulate Santa Clara because they beat a great team today that didn't give up."
"To Santa Clara's credit, it was very hard for us to get good chances, and that is a compliment to their very good back four on Santa Clara."
(on Santa Clara's Danielle Slaton)
"She must have collided with everyone out there. She is an absolutely brilliant player and I am glad she is graduating."
"They played with a tremendous physical commitment. It was a very violent game. The only way to get a lot of looks and shots is to get into a good flow, and with some many stops today, it was hard to get into a good flow."
Anne Remy
(goal disallowed)
"I guess I was standing offsides. Sara made a grea shot. I tried not to touch it, but it didn't matter."
(senior year)
"You always want to go out on a good note, but I'm really proud of this team. We had a great season. I enjoyed playing with these girls."
Jordan Walker
(defending Aly Wagner)
"That was the first chance I have ever played against Aly. She was one of their key players. We tried to put her under constant pressure. Early on, we did a good job. But she's a great player and was able to get some balls through to people. She got a good shot and she put it in."
(physical play)
"One of the things Santa Clara brought was a lot of heart, and that's something we try to bring. It's bound to be a physical game. It was a hard-fought battle. No one wanted to be the one to back down."
