No. 5 USC Women's Soccer Stays Hot With Record 11th Straight Win
EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 5 USC women's soccer team continued its tear through Pac-12 play, setting a new program record with its 11th straight win thanks to a 3-1 victory at Oregon on Thursday afternoon.
The Ducks, who were receiving votes in the latest coaches poll, had not lost at home or given up more than two goals all season before the Trojans came in and snapped both streaks. USC moves to 11-2-0 overall and 6-0-0 in Pac-12 play, while Oregon falls to 8-2-4 overall and 3-2-1 in conference action.
It was a battle all afternoon in Eugene, with each team striking in the first half. Savannah DeMelo put the Trojans on top early with a 10th minute goal, but Zoe Hasenauer answered for Oregon in the 41st minute.
USC would take the lead early in the second half, when Penelope Hocking was taken down in the box and drew a penalty, and Croix Bethune converted the PK. Hocking would give USC some breathing room in the 73rd minute, cleaning up a rebound on a shot by Simone Jackson.
It was anything but a comfortable second half for the visiting Trojans, however, with Oregon manufacturing several quality chances and putting seven of their 12 shots on target. USC goalkeeper Anna Smith was up to the task, making all seven saves in the second half, including a spectacular stop on a point-blank header just over a minute in the period.
Defender Brooklyn Courtnall also did her part to preserve the two-goal lead, saving a ball off the line in the 87th minute.
GOALS
10' – USC: Savannah DeMelo (assisted by Penelope Hocking) – Jaelyn Eisenhart sent a long ball ahead to Hocking, who carried it into the left side of the area and centered a pass back towards the top of the 18 yard box. Croix Bethune made a dummy run past the ball, leaving a clear lane for DeMelo to fire home a rocket of a shot just under the crossbar.
41' – ORE: Zoe Hasenauer (assisted by Chai Cortez) – Cortez sent a corner into the box and Hasenauer headed it home inside the near post.
56' – USC: Croix Bethune (PK) – Penelope Hocking was taken down in the box and Bethune converted the PK.
73' – USC: Penelope Hocking (assisted by Simone Jackson) – Savannah DeMelo sent a corner into the box and Jackson came down with it, firing a shot that was saved by the Duck keeper, but the rebound fell to Hocking near the left post, and she finished.
UP NEXT
The Trojans stay on the road next week, with games at Washington State on Thursday, Oct. 21 and at Washington on Sunday, Oct. 24. Both games will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Hear from Head Coach @Kmcdane after his squad found a way to get it done on the road and hand the Ducks their first home loss of the season. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/wIV4V49afX
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) October 15, 2021