
Women of Troy suffer a pair of one-goal losses
Posted October 28, 2012 at 6:38 pm in Soccer, Sports
The USC womenâs soccer team spent the weekend battling two of the toughest opponents the Pac-12 has to offer, fighting until the very end both times. Unfortunately, USC (5-10-3, 2-6-2) fell 1-0 to both No. 1 Stanford (15-1-1, 9-0-0) at the Los Angeles Coliseum in double overtime and No. 21 California (15-4-0, 8-2-0).

Brick wall · Sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Stanley, a transfer from Missouri, saved 10 of 12 combined shots against Cal and Stanford. – Chris Pham | Daily Trojan
âI think it has a real positive impact on us moving forward, but right now it becomes a little frustrating for them,â said USC coach Ali Khosroshahin, when asked about playing eight overtime games in a season. âNot getting the bounces, not getting the results. We just gotta fight on here.â
USCâs contest against California went back and forth all game, with both teams almost even in shots (15-14 USC) and corners (4-3 California). Unfortunately, USC caught an unlucky break when Calâs Ifeoma Onumonu hit a shot from across the field, scoring the only goal of the match on a shot to the far left post.
âThe girls are definitely resilient. Theyâve been through a lot this year, a lot of heartbreaks,â Khosroshahin said. âThey donât quit. They keep working and they keep fighting on.â
Junior midfielder Jordan Marada led the Trojans with four shots, while sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Stanley racked up three saves.
âWe got a whole lot of talent and everybody puts their heart out there every single time, said junior midfielder Elizabeth Eddy. âThatâs gonna take us to the next level.â
The Coliseum served as a fitting backdrop as the game featured the two Pac-12 teams to ever win an NCAA womenâs soccer championship. Even though Stanford outshot USC 25-12, both teams had an equal amount of scoring opportunities. The game went into overtime, USCâs eighth of the season and only Stanfordâs second, where things continued to heat up.
The 2011 champs caught a lucky break, as the 2007 champs appeared to win the game on a goal from the box by Jordan Marada, but the goal was nullified because of an offsides call while the celebrations started. Freshman forward Katie Johnson attempted to give USC the win for good on a feed from Eddy, but the shot was stopped by Stanford goalkeeper Emily Oliver, pushing the game into a second overtime.
Stanford took advantage of a USC foul in the 103rd minute to seal the win, as Alina Garciamendez nailed the game-winning goal.
âStanford is an incredible team,â sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Stanley said. âThey were national champions last year, we knew we were in for a fight. I could not be prouder of these girls for the way they fought throughout the whole game. Tonight proved that we can keep up with these teams, and I have no doubt in my mind that we can beat teams like this.â
USC plays its final regular season game at McAlister Field on Friday against No. 2 UCLA at 2:00 p.m. The game will be televised on Pac-12 Network Los Angeles.
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This article is tagged: Ali Khosroshahin, California, caroline stanley, Coliseum, elizabeth eddy, Football, jordan marada, McAlister Field, stanford, USC







I agree with the previous post. The team is loaded with talent but he doesn’t know how to motivate or adjust when necessary.It is definitely time for some fresh blood. Are you listening A.D. Haden???
The Ali era has run its course. If there is any doubt check the record. I’ve seen many of the SC players play prior to college and they don’t look like the same players. None of them have progressed or improved or developed. None of the players exhibit the confidence they used to exude. SC soccer needs the likes of Snow or Ratcliffe. Both coaches know how to properly use, coach and motivate their players and are willing to make necessary changes instead of doing the same thing over and over again. It’s not working!