Tag: Women’s Sport

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Basketball

First NCAA National Championship for UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball 

Screenshot

UCLA team celebrating | photo taken from @uclawbb on instagram

On Sunday (5th April), UCLA Bruins won their first NCAA National Championship in Women’s Basketball after they won 51-79 against #1 Seed South Carolina Gamecocks. The number one seed had an impressive season themselves but how was the title won for the LA University? 

Throughout the game. UCLA dominated, winning three out of the four quarters (only losing the last one by one point) but managed to secure a dominant lead in prior quarters. UCLA competed in the Big Ten Conference securing number one seed coming into March Madness with their opponents playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and becoming number one seed themselves. The 28 point difference from the win was the largest margin of victory against a number one seed, with the other highest being from UConn against lower-seeded sides. 

15,856 fans were in attendance in Phoenix, Arizona as they saw eight seniors starting across both teams (which was the tied most in Championship game history) including five from UCLA. Coming into the game, UCLA had four of their seniors in the projected top 15 for the WNBA draft happening next week, with Lauren Betts projected to be in the top five after the win (Others include, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jacquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker). 

A lucky charm for the seniors was that Cabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and Charlisse Leger-Walker all danced alongside their cheerleading squad prior to March Madness. They continued this tradition through the month all the way until the final and what did they do to celebrate after the win? Yes, that’s right. Do the same dance sequence that they have done throughout the last couple of games. 

Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez were standout players for UCLA throughout their college career, having both stuck with the Bruins through their four years. Both players won 121 and 123 times respectively with Kiki Rice having the first three on the night. The Guard playing under #1 is only ranked behind Lauren Betts for the team’s scoring leaders this basketball season with an average of 15.1 points per game. She has a communications major with a 3.85 GPA, and was ultimately awarded the NCAA Elite 90 trophy in 2025 which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of each of the NCAA’s 90 championships. 

Ahead of the National Championship, Gabriela Jaquez got an average of 13.3 points per game but smashed it during the night with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. The programme showed her report during the game, saying that she wanted to get a scholarship and head to UCLA as a long and short term goal. Her long term goals as a basketball player was to play in college and as a person was to go to UCLA, of which she did both. 

Lauren Betts Celebrating | photo taken from @laurenmariebetts on instagram

Standout Player at UCLA – Lauren Betts:

Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament went to Lauren Betts of UCLA, scoring the first point of the game and was in the 2026 First Team AP All American. In the first quarter, the Center went off court after only six minutes due to discomfort in her throat – later saying it was due to the heat in Phoenix. She later came back on in the second quarter but this was not the only distraction for the UCLA player. With just 2:37 on the clock in the second quarter, she later changed her shirt due to blood, moving from the iconic 51 to 26 but with under 30 seconds to go in the same quarter, she went back to the number she called home. 

Betts spent one season at Stanford University before moving to LA and stated that teammate Kiki Rice was the reason she moved to the coast (with the pair now being top 2 rated recruits from the College). Betts was the first player to receive both Defensive Player and Player of the Season in Big 10 history this season. Her UCLA Program records were also outstanding throughout her three seasons with the Bruins, prior to the match up. 62% FG, 233 Blocks and 268 Career points across her time in the NCAA Tournament helped the side win their first Championship title under NCAA Conditions. 

So, what’s next? The WNBA Draft is being held on 13th April and the seniors that have featured across the whole of the NCAA Tournament can have a chance of featuring in the WNBA for the 2026 season and beyond. 

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Uncategorized

BUURMAN WINNER SEES CHELSEA THROUGH TO FA CUP SEMI FINALS

image via @chelseafcw on instagram

Chelsea 

Starting XI: Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Nusken, Cuthbert ©, James, Thompson, Girma, Kerr, Charles, Buchanan, Walsh

Subs: Buurman (60’), Kaptein (72’), Baltimore (72’)

Spurs

Starting XI: Kop (GK), Nilden, Gaupset, England ©, Vinberg, Tandberg, Wijk, Spence, Summanen, Koga, Blackstad

Subs: Morris (71’), Holdt (71’) Gaupset (88’)

It was the quarter final of the FA cup today and Chelsea hosted Tottenham Hotspurs at Kingsmeadow. With a rough past couple of matches for both teams, and Chelsea being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal, all was to play for.

The teams have met twice already this season, with Chelsea winning both matches by both 1-0 and 2-0.

Chelsea took kick off at Kingsmeadow through Lauren James and started off positively on the ball.

The Lillywhites first chance on goal came through Signe Gaupset who broke free of the Chelsea defence quite early on, Niamh Charles however, was able to dispossess the Norwegian international inside the box.

Chelsea’s first big chance came from a cross by Niamh Charles on the left flank which met the boots of Alyssa Thompson, whose shot was eventually saved by Tottenham’s Lize Kop.

Lize Kop was forced into yet another save in the 11th minute when Lauren James took a shot from outside the box, this then led to Chelsea’s second successive corner.

Chelsea earnt a free kick in dangerous territory the fifteenth minute, and with Lauren James standing over the ball, an opening goal was looking promising. The resulting shot however went just wide of goal.

Another corner came in the 19th minute, courtesy of Lauren James, who took it short to Alyssa Thompson , the USA international’s cross however only went as far as Spurs’ first man.

Chelsea’s next chance came from Lauren James once again, who took another shot on goal in the 24th minute, this however was shot well wide of the cross bar.

The blues earnt a free kick inside their own half due to a penalising foul from Amanda Nilden, who earned herself a yellow card as a result.

Sam Kerr found the opener in the 40th minute with a header off the back of Keira Walsh’s cross.

Half time score: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs took kick off ahead of the second half through Catinka Tandberg and continued to dominate throughout the opening stages in terms of possession for the opening stages.

The Lillywhites came close to their first shortly later after Kadeisha Buchanan stopped her play after thinking a free kick was due after a shirt pull. However, play continued through former Blue, Bethany England, Hannah Hampton however was first to it, denying the Spurs captain from finding the equaliser.

With a foul on Matilda Vinberg, Tottenham Hotspurs earned themselves a free kick in dangerous territory, and with Evelina Summanen stood over the ball, Chelsea were in for a tricky defensive task. Summanen, decided to go direct on goal, skimming the ball past the gloves of Hannah Hampton and equalising for the Lillywhites.

Sam Kerr came close to putting Chelsea ahead once again after Amanda Nilden misplaced  a back pass, allowing the Australian to get through on goal, her resulting shot however, was put wide.

In the 57th minute Amanda Nilden came close to doubling the score for Spurs however Hannah Hampton showed her skill once again and punched the ball out for a corner.

Just a couple of minutes later, Niamh Charles made way for Veerle Buurman, the former still having her minutes managed after more than three months of injury.

In the 64th minute, Sjoeke Nusken and Ellie Carpenter linked up for what looked like Chelsea’s second, this however was sent just wide of the post by the Australian international.

Before long, Ella Morris took to the field, replacing Hannahb Wijk in her first game back from her ACL injury. This came with Olivia Holdt also replacing Eveliina Summanen. In terms of Chelsea substitutions, it was here that Sandy Baltimore and Wieke Kaptein replaced Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James.

With both sides looking for the match winner, the following ten minutes were met with end to end action, however neither team were able to find the finishing product.

In the 82nd minute, Wieke Kaptein was able to break through the Tottenham defence and pull off a cross in front of goal, Alyssa Thompson however was unable to meet the ball and produce a finish.

With five minutes on the clock, Veerle Buurman weaved her way through the Spurs defence, taking a left footed shot from the edge of the box and sending the ball to the top right corner, straight past the gloves of Lize Kop.

With three minutes injury time announced and Tottenham looking for their second equaliser, Catinka Tandberg received a promising ball from Olivia Holdt, and struck the ball just wide of the goal, only just missing out on the target.

And with that, the full time whistle was blown, an impressive display from both teams however it was Chelsea who came out victorious, sealing their place in the FA Cup Semi Finals.

Full time: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Categories
FA Cup

Heartbreak for Addicks as Shaw Strikes Late in FA Cup Quarter Final

Photo: @Islasmithmedia for ConstancySport

Starting Lineups:

Charlton Athletic

Sophie Whitehouse (C) (GK), Charlotte Newsham, Elisha N’Dow, Gracie Pearse, Katie Bradley, 

Lucy Fitzgerald, Mia Enderby, Karin Muya, Gloria Siber, Amalie Thestrup, Lucia Lobato, Keira Flannery 

 Liverpool

Jennifer Falk (GK), Gemma Evans, Denise O’Sullivan, Cornelia Kapocs, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Lily Woodham, Jenna Clark (C), Kirsty MacLean, Alice Bergstrom, Aurelie Csillag

Used Subs:

Charlton Athletic

Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney, Katie Lockwood, Ellie Mason, Emma Bissell, Gracie Pearse

Liverpool

Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe, Martha Thomas, Risa Shimizu, Zara Shaw

Kick off at The Valley started with Charlton Athletic, trying to keep possession, but it was met with Liverpool’s early pressure. 

Soon in, we saw a header from Mia Enderby tipped over the bar by Sophie Whitehouse. Corner for giving a corner to the Reds. This was taken by Lily Woodham, punched away by Whitehouse and collectedby the keeper. 

Charlton had a couple of chances from Karin Muya and Amalie Thestrup, but Liverpool kept maintaining possession leaaving the Addicks no time on the ball. While their possession is high theyre not taking many chances. 

Liverpool continued to hunt for a breakthrough via the flanks, with Lily Woodham’s dangerous deliveries forcing a strong clearance from Gloria Siber before finding the head of Mia Enderby, who steered her effort just over the bar. Despite Karin Muya providing a spark for Charlton on the right, Liverpool’s pressure remained constant as Alice Bergstrom and Fuka Nagano both saw late crosses and shots sail off-target

With 1 minute of injury time added after the first half, neither side was able to get on the scoresheet.

Soon into the second half, we saw a triple change for both sides, starting with Charlton, seeing Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney and Katie Lockwood coming on for Karin Muya, Amalie Thestrup and Katie Bradley. For Liverpool, seeing Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe and Martha Thomas coming on for Lily Woodham, Aurelie Csillag and Denise O’Sullivan. 

Once the new substitutions came on, it was a battle down the side from Mia Enderby and Mia Ross, with Ross getting a booking for a foul on the forward. A free kick is given just outside the box on the right.  Taken by Cornelia Kapocs, it was sent to the back post, but couldn’t connect with anyone, seeing it out. 

Substitutions for both teams saw Charlotte Newsham leave the pitch and Ellie Mason come on for Charlton. Additionally, Alice Bergstrom comes off for Risa Shimizu for Liverpool. 

Mia Enderby, on the right, sends a ball to Martha Thomas whos in the middle of the box. It looks like a shot towards the bottom right corner, but Beata Olsson backheels it, with it ending up in the bottom left. Unfortunately, Olsson was offside, so the goal didn’t stand. 

Seems like Charlton can’t get out of their own half. They’re putting all of their bodies behind the ball to defend, so they can’t move up the pitch quickly enough when they get a chance to counterattack. 

The physical intensity of the match boiled over when Elisha N’dow and Martha Thomas collided, resulting in a yellow card for the Charlton defender and a brief pause in play as physios were called on to treat her.

Substitutions for Charlton see Keira Flannery coming off for Emma Bissell. 

After 7 minutes of scrappy added time, the full-time whistle goes, and it’s 0-0. At the Valley. Into extra time. 

After a tough afternoon battling with Mia Enderby, Gracie Pearse leaves the pitch, with Mary McAteer coming on to replace her. 

Zara Shaw makes her comeback for the Reds, coming on for Mia Enderby. She’s been out for just under a year after tearing her ACL in April 2025 while on international duty for the England under-19s. 

Charlton is given a Goal Kick after a shot from the Reds. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse takes her time with this and receives a booking for time-wasting. 

Kapocs takes the corner, sending it into the 10-year box. It’s headed away by the Addicks, in again, off the crossbar and brought down. Then shot into the back of the net by Zara Shaw. With 5 minutes to go its  Charlton Athletic 0-1 Liverpool. 

1 minute of added time is given, but it isn’t enough for the Addicks to turn it around. At the end of Extra Time, it is Charlton Athletic 0 – 1 Liverpool. 

The drama on the pitch was matched by the significance of the crowd in the stands. A total of 2,164 fans watched on – the highest attendance for a women’s fixture at The Valley in over 20 years. In a week where the club hoped for a record-breaking turnout, the SE7 faithful delivered, creating an atmosphere that pushed both sides through 120 minutes. 

Categories
WSL

SEVEN GOAL THRILLER SEES CHELSEA CLINCH THREE POINTS OVER ASTON VILLA

Image via @chelseafcw on Instagram

Chelsea FC:

Starting XI: Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Buurman, Nusken, James, Thompson, Girma, Kaptein, Kerr, Bronze, Walsh © 

Substitutes: Cuthbert (53’), Baltimore (53’) Charles (73′), Potter (90′)

Aston Villa:

Starting XI: Roebuck (GK), Patten ©, Jean Francois, Wilms, Maritz, Hanson, Kendall, Grant, Deslandes, Taylor, Nighswonger

Substitutes: Hijikata (68′), Salmon (75′), D’Angelo (79′)

Chelsea FC hosted their final league game at Kingsmeadow this season earlier today in a bid to secure a spot in the leagues’ top three. The hosts have been in a battle with Manchester United since January for eventual third place in the league but with the recent Manchester derby seeing the North-West painted blue, Sonia Bompastor’s Blue’s are in high hopes for the closing stages of the season.

Last time the sides faced eachother, Chelsea won 3-1 with goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Keira Walsh and Sam Kerr cancelling out that of Ebony Salmon. The visitors sit in eighth in the league, with just 5 wins this season but with a win, draw and a loss in each of their last three games, the game is an open affair. 

Chelsea took kick off via Lauren James in South London however failed to prove any threat from the whistle, with Lynn Wilms linking up with Chasity Grant to find the opener for Aston Villa less than two minutes in.

A promising spell infront of goal came from Chelsea in the fifth minute, with Lauren James taking aim but beiong blocked by Lynn Wilms and the deflection rolling to Veerle Buurman, who shot just wide of goal.

Throughout the next ten minutes, both sides had equal effort infront of goal, with Chelsea winning the first corner of the game. Here the ball was layed off for Lauren James who shot from the edge of the box, Ellie Roebuck however, beat her antics, safely collecting the ball at the near post. It was from here on that Chelsea found their form, dominating in possession and upping their effortinfront of goal.

Sjoeke Nusken had another promising chance in the 17th minute, with Ellie Roebuck being forced into yet another crucial save.

Sam Kerr continued her stellar form from the Asian Cup and in the 20th minute, she broke free from the Villians defence to slot one past Ellie Roebuck to close the deficit.

Just two minutes later, Chelsea found the back of the net once again, this time from Lauren James, who linked up with Alyssa Thompson on a corner once again to give Chelsea the lead for the first time today.

Chelsea maintained their dominance in the following minutes, with Lauen James claiming the ball on the edge of the box and slotting the ball past the Villa keeper once more. That’s three goals in eight minutes for the current league champions.

Chelsea’s glory didn’t last for long however, with Aston Villa making an effort to close the gap in the 32nd minute, this time through Kirsty Hanson who did just that, making the score 3-2 to the Blues.

Just four minutes later, Villa broke through the Chelsea defence once again, with Kirsty Hanson finding her second and Villa’s third, closing the gap once again.

With a break in play due to a suspected injury on Sjoeke Nusken, both teams took the time to recalibrate, assumingly attempting to erase their defensive woes.

With three minutes added time on the clock, Aston Villa had one final push on goal, this however lead to nothing, with the Blue’s reclaiming possession and earning the final touch of the half.

Half time: Chelsea 3-3 Aston Villa

With the second half underway, Chelsea looked slightly more dominant on the ball. Whilst failing to provide any real threat infront of goal, Alyssa Thompson did win a free kick for the hosts, this however led to nothing with the attempt being blocked.

In the 53rd minute, Erin Cuthbert and Sandy Baltimore took to the field, replacing Wieke Kaptein and Naomi Girma in an attempt to bolster the Blue’s attack from further back on the pitch.

Throughout the next ten minutes, Chelsea began their dominance in possession once again, with the ball rarely leaving Chelsea’s attacking third. Despite Lucy Bronze’s headed attempt on goal, the Blue’s were yet to find a difference maker.

In the 67th minute, Villa made their first substitution of the game, replacing Miri Taylor with Maya Hijikata in her return from the Asian Cup.

Chelsea had a few more promising chances on goal however, despite their best efforts, Ellie Roebuck’s experience was proven best throughout.

Before long, Niamh Charles made her return to the pitch, replacing Alyssa Thompson and taking her first competitive touches in more than three months due to injury.

Just two minutes later, Chastity Grant made way for Ebony Salmon before Ellie Roebuck was also forced off the field through injury, forcing Sabrina D’Angelo to the field.

In the 82nd minute, Chelsea came alive once more, with Sjoeke Nusken linking up with Chelsea’s Australian duo, Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter to produce Chelsea’s fourth and final goal of the game.

The following stages followed much the same from both sides, with Aston Villa trying to equalise once again and Chelsea wanting to guarantee a victory.

For the villains, this meant a rattle of the bar from Kirsty Hanson as well as a missed header from Anna Patten in a desperate bid to squash the deficit once and for all. These both however proved too little too late, with the match finishing 4-3 to the hosts.

Full time: Chelsea 4-3 Aston Villa

Categories
Women’s Asia Cup

Japan reach Asian Cup Final in style

PHOTO: @JFA_NADESHIKO (X)

Japan reached their seventh AFC Women’s Asian Cup in style as they defeated high-flyers South Korea 4-1 in the semi-finals.

Riko Ueki struck first, slotting in a neat finish following a defensive mishap, giving Japan the lead in sixteen minutes. This also took her tally in the competition to six goals, and going into the final, she’s top of the rankings for goal scorers and in contention for the golden boot.

Tottenham’s Maika Hamano was next to strike, thundering a well-struck effort into the top right-hand corner at the near post, further extending their advantage over South Korea.

This teed up Manchester City star Aoba Fujino for the third goal before half-time, but it was ruled out for a handball in the build-up from teammate Saki Kumagai.

With a two-goal lead at the break, it seemed like Nadeshiko were well in control.

This remained the case in the second half. At 75 minutes Japan had their all-important third goal. This time, defender Kumagai rose highest from a corner whipped in by Bayern Munich’s Momoko Tanikawa to head home.

South Korea grabbed themselves what turned out to be only a consolation goal just three minutes later. Chae-Rim Kang, on the half turn, made a neat connection on the half volley, and the ball trickled past Ayaka Yamashita in the Japan net. This signalled the only goal Japan have conceded all tournament so far.

However, there was one more twist in this fixture, as Remina Chiba struck back a couple of minutes later. The ball was played across from Manaka Matsukubo, and Chiba picked it up and struck it ferociously into the bottom right, giving goalkeeper Min-Jung Kim no chance of saving it.

Japan will face host nation Australia in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney, and kickoff is scheduled for 09:00 AM (GMT). It’s a repeat of the 2014 and 2018 finals, as both teams battle it out for the prestigious title.