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Lindsay Greco launches a shot past the Texas A&M goalkeeper that sailed high. Though the Aggies were outshot 21-0, UCLA lost in penalty kicks, dashing UCLA’s playoff hopes.

“Life isn’t fair.”

Texas A&M head coach G. Guerrieri owed that consolation to UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis after his Aggies stunned the Bruins in the third round of the NCAA playoffs, defeating UCLA 0-0 (3-1 in penalty kicks).

His words were of little comfort to a UCLA team who outshot the Aggies 21-0 and left the field in tears.

“What’s ringing in my ears right now is what (Guerrieri) said to me after the game,” Ellis said. “I felt that we outclassed this team, we dominated the game.”

Junior defender Nandi Pryce put her hands to her face in disbelief and walked off the soccer field after her penalty kick flew wide left, sealing the Bruins’ defeat.

Texas A&M raucously celebrated as it gathered on the west side of the Drake Stadium track, linked arms, lined up side by side and waved to its 20 or so supporters who had made the trip from College Station to Westwood, and were audible throughout the match. The Bruins walked off the field in anger and frustration.

“We should have won the game,” said sophomore forward Lindsay Greco, who had a frustrating night with seven missed shots.

“We missed our opportunities but we totally outplayed them; it’s just unfair. But that’s the game of soccer sometimes, you win and you lose.”

As they had all season long, the Bruins defensively dominated their opponent all throughout the 90 minutes of regulation and in the 20 minutes of overtime play. The UCLA midfield and backline was spectacular in holding Texas A&M to zero shots in the match.

Junior goalkeeper Sarah Lombardo was called into very little action throughout the match, occasionally coming out to retrieve loose balls and errant crosses. Texas A&M created no serious runs or any real scoring threats throughout the game.

“We definitely outplayed them defensively,” said senior Tracey Winzen who finished her UCLA career with a stellar defensive effort.

As it had all season long, UCLA again had trouble finishing off its shots and scoring off corner kicks. In addition to 21 shots, the Bruins had eight corner kicks; the Aggies never took a single corner kick in the match.

Texas A&M’s defense did do a good job of keeping the UCLA front line out of rhythm throughout. The Bruins managed to put a couple shots in the net, but each time, the offside flag went up and the goal was negated.

UCLA missed its best opportunity to score in the second half when junior forward Sarah-Gayle Swanson launched a hard shot which went off Spisak’s hands and dribbled in front of sophomore forward Kim Devine for a clear shot.

Devine then shot it straight at Spisak, who blocked her shot. Freshman midfielder Stacey Lindstrom came forward and took a shot off the loose ball but her shot was saved.

“I don’t know of any other game where a team wins without taking a shot,” Winzen said.

“I guess on any given day a team can lose even when they outplay their opponent.”