Croix Bethune Scores Twice for USC Women's Soccer in 3-0 Win Over UCSB
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Croix Bethune posted a pair of goals and the USC women's soccer team recorded its third straight shutout on the road, beating UC Santa Barbara 3-0 on Friday night.
The Trojans outshot UCSB 24-2 in the game and did not allow a shot in the second half. The win moves USC to 4-2 on the season, while the Gauchos fall to 1-5-2.
Bethune's first strike came in the 5th minute when she got an assist from Penelope Hocking and calmly found the corner of the net from the top of the penalty area. Hocking would also provide a goal in the first half when she converted a penalty kick in the 41st minute. Hannah White drew the PK after being taken down in the box.
The exclamation point came in the 87th minute when Simone Jackson grabbed her own rebound on a blocked shot and found Bethune near the top of the penalty area, and Bethune chipped it over a defender and in.
Bethune leads the team with five goals so far this season after notching the second multi-goal game of her career on Friday. She has now scored in four of the team's six contests.
The USC defense has not allowed a goal since August 28 at Utah Valley, with Anna Smith recording three straight shutouts in goal. The Trojans have outscored their opponents 13-2 over the last four games.
GOALS
5' – USC: Croix Bethune (assisted by Penelope Hocking) – Hocking collected a loose ball and slid a pass to her right for Bethune. Bethune collected near the top of the penalty area and sent a left-footed shot inside the far left post.
41' – USC: Penelope Hocking (PK) – Hannah White was taken down in the box by a UCSB defender and Hocking converted the penalty kick.
87' – USC: Croix Bethune (assisted by Simone Jackson) – Bethune nearly got on top of a through ball from Simi Awujo, but the UCSB keeper came out and knocked it away near the top of the area. Jackson followed by firing a shot off the deflection, but the keeper was again there for the stop. Jackson's rebound came right back to her and she slid it to Bethune who chipped it in over a defender.
UP NEXT
The Trojans return home for the first time in five games on Sunday, taking on CSUN in their final non-conference matchup. USC will honor its seniors prior to the contest. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
Hear from Head Coach @Kmcdane following tonight's win on the road. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/acDrsQKd8r
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) September 17, 2021