No. 22 Cal Tops USC in 2-1 Comeback Win
LOS ANGELES – USC struck early in the second half, but No. 22 Cal rallied on the road with two unanswered goals to start their Southern California slate strong Friday afternoon at McAlister Field in Los Angeles. The Bears improve to 10-3 overall and 2-2 in Pac-12 action with their 2-1, come-from-behind win against the Women of Troy.
USC entered the match with the most potent offense in the Pac-12, outscoring opponents 34-8 and averaging 2.83 goals per game. Cal, with the third-most goals in the conference, snuffed them out, limiting the Women of Troy to just two shots on frame while maintaining a 13-10 shot advantage over USC. The Bears notched eight shots on goal, and Cal goalie Emily Boyd was forced to make just one save thanks to her durable defense.
USC got off to a hot start on offense after earning three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes, but the Golden Bears were able to cull the usually lethal USC offense for most of the game, outshooting the Women of Troy 5-4 in the first half. Despite USC’s four shots, none was on goal. The Bears on the other hand, put four of their five shots on frame for the advantage.
It was more of the same in the second half, with two well-matched defenses rallying to create lone even the slightest of opportunities for their offenses. It was USC who capitalized first with a shot from Sydney Johnson 64 minutes in. Jaime Fink passed it to Johnson, who shot from the left side. Boyd managed to get a piece of the ball, but it tipped backwards into the net.
Cal barely gave USC enough time to celebrate, equalizing in the 66th minute. Sandra Ley made a throw-in toward Grace Leer, who slipped the ball past two defenders and launched it into the upper right corner.
The Bears all but secured the victory 10 minutes later when Indigo Gibson served a ball up in the box for Arielle Ship to head in for the eventual gamewinner at 77:02.
The Bears continue their Southern California road trip Monday against No. 1 UCLA at 7 p.m., live on the Pac-12 Networks.
HEAD COACH NEIL MCGUIRE’S TAKE
McGuire says: Today was a fierce battle between two very good teams. After going down 1-0, we fought very hard and scored two excellent goals. Coach McAlpine has his team playing very well so we are very pleased with the away win.
GOLDEN BEAR GOALS
66’ – Grace Leer (assisted by Sandra Ley) – Ley took the throw-in toward the net, Leer rocketed into upper right corner between two defenders
Leer says: My goal happened off of a throw-in from Sandra Ley. I took a touch and hit it and it went into the upper right corner of the goal. We have been working on shots on goal all week so I’m happy we could execute today. To be down 1-0 and come back to get the win is so awesome!
78’ – Arielle Ship (assisted by Indigo Gibson) – Crossed upward in the box by Gibson and knocked in near the post by Ship
Ship says: I think we had a throw-in and Witty (Samantha Witteman) laid it off to Indigo. Indigo played a great ball to me and I got in the way and headed it into the net.
USC GOAL
64’ – Sydney Johnson (assisted by Jamie Fink) – Shot from the left side outside of the box and deflected into the right corner
NEWS & NOTES
- Cal is 10-3 overall and 2-2 in Pac-12 play.
- The Bears are 9-0 when scoring two or more goals in a game.
- Grace Leer scored her fourth goal of the season. Arielle Ship scored her second.
- Sandra Ley earned her first assist, and Indigo Gibson recorded her first career assist.
- Emily Boyd is now 9-3 in goal this season.
NEXT UP
California meets top-ranked UCLA in a pivotal Pac-12 matchup beginning Monday at 7 p.m. The match will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.
ON THE BOX SCORE
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 63:31 USC Johnson, Sydney (1) (Fink, Jamie) - Shot from left side outside box, deflection into corner
2. 65:26 CAL LEER,GRACE (4) (LEY,SANDRA) - Off throw-in, shot into upper far corner
3. 77:02 CAL SHIP,ARIELLE (2) (GIBSON,INDIGO) - Knocks it in near post with head off cross
Shots: California 13, USC 10
Saves: California 1 (BOYD,EMILY 1), USC 6 (Stanley, Caroline 6)