Anna Smith Records Career-High 11 Saves In No. 5 USC Soccer’s Scoreless Draw at Washington State
PULLMAN, Wash. – Anna Smith matched a career high with 11 saves and the USC defense held firm on the road as the No. 5 USC women's soccer team played to a scoreless draw with the toughest defense in the Pac-12, Washington State.
The Cougars came in with a conference best 0.42 goals against average and proved difficult to break down for the Trojans' usually potent offense. Still, the USC defense posted its sixth shutout of the year to keep the Trojans atop the Pac-12 standings and unbeaten in their last 12 matches.
USC moves to 11-2-1 overall and 6-0-1 in conference action after its first draw of the season. Washington State goes to 10-2-3 overall and 4-1-2 in Pac-12 play.
Smith was on her game right out of the gates, making a diving save in the second minute of action. The Trojan goalkeeper made six of her 11 saves in the second half and then her final two saves in the second overtime period.
Washington State finished the game with 24 shots, while USC had 19 on the day.
Penelope Hocking had a couple of chances late in the second half, but both shots went wide left. Croix Bethune had maybe the best opportunity of the game late in the first overtime, when Aaliyah Farmer sent a cross into the box and Bethune got a foot on it near the back post, but her attempt went high.
The Cougars had the final flurry of chances late in the second OT, but Smith made a diving stop on a header and knocked away a cross.
UP NEXT
The Trojans wrap up their road trip at Washington on Sunday at noon. That game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Hear from Head Coach @Kmcdane after his team battled for 110 minutes against the toughest defense in the Pac-12. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/AdHyXMtIx0
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) October 22, 2021