Women of Troy complete another sweep

For the second weekend in a row, the USC women’s soccer team returned from an out-of-state road trip with a vital two-game sweep of the opposition. Two weeks ago, the Women of Troy (12-5-2, 6-4-0 Pac-12) emerged victorious in two overtime games against Oregon (W 1-0, 2OT) and Oregon State (W 2-1, OT). This past weekend, facing two top-25 ranked opponents in No. 17 Washington and No. 22 Washington State, and with their NCAA tournament hopes likely on the line, the Women of Troy delivered two postseason-worthy performances. On Halloween night, they muzzled the Huskies 2-1 before shutting out the Cougars two days later in yet another dramatic ending.

Friday’s victory over No. 17 Washington was powered by two first-half goals that proved to be the difference in the match. Junior forward Katie Johnson kicked off the scoring early in the game for USC with an 6th minute headed goal, served up on a cross from freshman midfielder Sydney Sladek. The goal was the fifth on the season for Johnson, who is an imposing figure in the box for USC at 5-foot-9. The score held 1-0 until the 27th minute, when senior Washington forward Chelsea Archer was able to capitalize on a loose ball in the box, equalizing the game at 1-1.

Just nine minutes later, however, USC junior midfielder and team captain Jamie Fink put the Women of Troy in front on a penalty kick for her 6th score of the season. The penalty came as a result of a foul by Huskies’ midfielder Amanda Perez in the box. The score would remain 2-1 until the final whistle thanks to a strong defensive second half for USC, who withstood six second-half shots by the Huskies en route to the Halloween upset.

Sunday’s matchup with Washington State was one that had been circled on the calendar all year: it marked the return of USC head coach Keidane McAlpine and his staff to Pullman, Washington, where they coached for two seasons before moving to Southern California late last year.

“I am proud of that [Washington State] team,” McAlpine said. “I know they are going to do great things in the NCAAs. Coming back was a little difficult.”

The matchup with Washington State proved to be a defensive battle for much of the first half, with the Cougars outshooting USC 3-2 in a scoreless first period. Things picked up in the second half, however, as Washington State made a strong push with nine corner kicks and nine total shots, three of which were on goal. Though it seemed as though the Cougars were destined to claw out a victory in the Sunday matinee, the Women of Troy stood relentlessly firm defensively in the back, anchored by senior captain and goalkeeper Caroline Stanley. Stanley made multiple acrobatic stops as part of a five-save outing.

With Stanley and company preserving a shutout, the door was left open for another spectacular ending for USC. In the final minute of the game, Johnson once again found paydirt for the Women of Troy. After winning a 50-50 ball against her defender on a lofted pass into the box, Johnson beat Cougar goalkeeper Gurveen Clair to take the lead with just 38 seconds left in the match. USC would hold off any last second heroics from Wazzu, thus earning a fourth consecutive victory in critical contests.

“I am extremely happy for our team,” McAlpine said. “On a day where we weren’t great, we found a way to win.”

The momentous weekend sweep did not go unnoticed, as two USC players were recognized for their exceptional play. Johnson, with her early go-ahead Friday goal and game-winning score Sunday, earned the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week award. Stanley, thanks to three saves Friday and her crucial, shutout-preserving stops Sunday, earned the Pac-12 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week honor for the second time this season. Earlier this year, she became the first USC goalie to win the award since its creation, tallying seven saves during the Aug. 29-31 Notre Dame adidas Invitational tournament, where the Women of Troy won both of their matchups including a 2-1 victory over tournament host and then-No. 9 ranked Notre Dame.

With four consecutive victories on the road, including the two over ranked opponents this weekend, USC appears to be peaking at the right time. Though their postseason fate is still undetermined, the team has been doing all the right things heading into the final week of the regular season.

“At this point in the season, finding a way to win is all that matters,” McAlpine said. “We have been seeing the determination and consistency we have been looking for at the right time of year.”

Now back in Los Angeles for good, the Women of Troy face one final test — their biggest of the season: hosting crosstown rival UCLA, the No. 1 team in the nation. The Bruins (17-0-2, 9-0-1) will visit Troy this Friday night at the Coliseum to conclude the regular season.

Friday will also be senior day for USC players Stanley, forward Jessica Musmanno, defender Heather Davis  and midfielder Alex Quincey, who undoubtedly hope that this will not be the final game of their distinguished careers. The crosstown matchup kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PST and should provide a thrilling end to the regular season.