U.S. star breaks down College Cup

Former North Carolina star Cat Whitehill, a national team member who's recovering from knee surgery, is working for ESPN2 this weekend during the NCAA College Cup, the final four of women's soccer, at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The former Cat Reddick, the 2003 national player of the year, spoke about the Friday semifinals — Stanford vs. Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. and UNC vs. UCLA at 7 p.m. — including how the weather might affect the outcomes. Friday's forecast calls for a 20 percent chance of rain with a high of 47 degrees and a low of 32. Sunday — the day of the title game — is supposed to be sunny with a high of 49.

N&O: Who benefits the most from dry field?

Whitehill: The California teams would probably benefit the most, both UCLA and Stanford, because they’re not used to that kind of [bad] weather. They’re used to the beautiful fields. Notre Dame has to deal with snow. North Carolina’s always dealing with rain and cold. I think it definitely helps the California teams.

N&O: How do you see the semis going?

Whitehill: For UCLA, their key is to get Lauren Cheney touches. If she doesn’t get at least 20 touches a half, UNC’s going to win. But if she does, because she can create so well and she holds that ball, she allows her defense to get forward, I think UCLA wins.

Personally, I just think [top-ranked] Notre Dame’s gonna win. I think Stanford comes in a little inexperienced. They haven’t made it to a final four since Julie Foudy in 1993. They’re a young team. Their main power is their forwards, and a lot of times, if that’s your main power and they don’t show up ... again I say defense wins championships. I know they have a great defense, but it’s not their biggest strength. Notre Dame and [forward] Kerri Hanks have a ton of experience being in the final four. And Notre Dame comes in unbeaten, and they’ve been in the final four too much for Kerri Hanks’ liking, and I think she’s ready to win it.

N&O: How about Carolina?
Whitehill: Well, I’m obviously biased. My main goal is not to say “we” on camera. But I’ve watched a lot of North Carolina soccer. They’re really starting to play well. I go to their games as much as possible. Casey Nogueira is having one of the best seasons for her and really for a Tar Heel that I’ve seen in a long time. And then you have Tobin Heath and Yael Averbuch in the middle ... and it’s exciting to watch the three of them play because the way they work off of each other. ... And the defense has been sound. That’s what I watch the most, and the back three, I’ve never been scared at any point with them.