USC will look to send Oregon home with a loss next Thursday for likely the final time, as the team heads into their last ever Pac-12 home opener.

In 2022, the Trojans marched into Papé Field in Eugene and stomped the Ducks 4-0 behind two goals from graduating senior Croix Bethune. With a 10-game winning streak against the Ducks dating back to 2013 on the line, they’ll look to repeat their performance and add another win to their final Pac-12 championship case with the help of fresh and familiar faces.

Last week, goals from freshmen forwards Maribel Flores and Florianne Jourde helped power the Trojans (7-2, 3-0 Pac-12) over No. 23 Washington State (7-4, 0-3) and Washington (5-4-2, 0-3). Both goals came at crucial points, with Flores’ being the equalizer that spurred the Trojan comeback against Washington State, and Jourde’s helping USC pull away from Washington in the 74th minute.

Contributions from returning players have been important as well. Junior forward/defender Izzy Kimberly’s one goal one assist performance against Washington earned her Woman of the Match honors. A late goal from graduate forward/midfielder Hannah Griffin pushed the Trojans ahead against Washington State. Additionally, junior forward/defender Kayla Colbert’s team-leading 11 points have been an essential part of USC’s success.

“Regardless of who converted last year, it’s always next woman up,” said Head Coach Jane Alukonis in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “We like to view things as a team … The fact that we have so many high performing players makes us feel really good.”

With an expectation to be perfect going forward to reach the Pac-12 Championship, the Trojans have hit their stride at the right time. The two victories last week added to a four-game win streak in which USC has outscored its opponents 10-1.

The Oregon Ducks (0-9-2, 0-3-0), comparatively, are working out the kinks in a completely retooled team. Oregon’s 15 freshmen (10 true freshmen, 5 redshirt freshmen) are the second highest tally in the nation and account for nearly half of the team’s starts.

Irrespective of Oregon’s record, Coach Alukonis and the Trojans are not taking any games off. With rating percentage index in mind and championship aspirations, the team is eager to add one more to the win column.

“These are the games we have to come out and take extremely seriously,” Alukonis said. “You need to make sure you’re doing everything at the highest level.”

Oregon’s backline remains its most experienced unit despite half the team’s starting defense from 2022 having moved on to the National Women’s Soccer League. Redshirt sophomore goalie Maddy Goldberg leads the Pac-12 in saves with 43 and has made at least five saves in all but one game this season. 

Alongside her are fifth-year defender Jordan Snyder and junior Anna Phillips, each of which were contributors to a 2021 Oregon backline that held teams to less than a goal per game.

Offensively, Oregon’s underclassmen have led the way. Freshman Cameron Bourne’s six shots on goal is tied for a team best. Sophomore Ajanae Respass’s one goal and six shots on goal is tied for the team lead in both categories. Respass was the Ducks’ 2022 goals and points leader and a member of the Pac-12 All-Freshman team; she will look to build on her numbers against USC.  

Taking advantage of Oregon’s inexperience will be crucial for the Trojans considering they’ve conceded a large amount of goals to underclassmen this season.

“We always have to give the top level of respect when they’re trying to put their stamp on the game as early as possible,” Alukonis said. “We’re making sure we keep full discipline and that we don’t take moments of the game where we lose focus.”

The Trojans will look to defend home field against Oregon in their final Pac-12 home opener  Thursday at 3 p.m. at McAlister Field.