

Cavaliers celebrate early goal by Darius Madison, second from left. (University of Virginia photo)

A tense first semifinal, a free-flowing second semifinal. And in the end, the two traditional powers at this men’s College Cup advanced to Sunday’s final at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. (noon ET, ESPNU).

Virginia, the No. 16 seed, stifled upstart UMBC, 1-0, and No. 2 UCLA forced extra time and then notched the golden goal to down No. 11 Providence, 3-2. [My match report, with heavy emphasis on the semifinal featuring local teams]

The Cavaliers and Bruins have combined for 26 College Cup appearances, 17 championship berths and 10 NCAA titles. Virginia has won six, UCLA four. They have collided in the final before: In 1997 in Richmond, the fifth-seeded Bruins prevailed against the No. 2 Cavaliers, 2-0.

Never before have teams with such large trophy cases met for the crown.

UCLA-Providence video is here.

Virginia-UMBC video down there: