Despite many aggressive attempts, USC soccer could not score against the University of Portland Pilots on Thursday, with the match ending in a scoreless draw.

No. 6 USC (3-0-1) started its 2025 season with a bang, including wins over California Baptist University (2-3-1), Pepperdine University (2-2-1) and New Mexico State University (1-5-0). Portland (1-1-2), an unranked team looking to improve its overall record, made the trip down to Rawlinson Stadium for a Thursday night matchup. Both the Trojans and the Pilots came up short.

The two teams began the match charging at their respective goals with swift passing sequences, but to no avail. The first half ended scoreless, despite the Trojans’ dominance in shots taken: USC had eight shots in the first half versus Portland’s one.

In the first 10 minutes of the match, the Trojans had their first shot on goal blocked by Portland redshirt sophomore goalie Sophia Hills. The Trojans did not back down, continuing to charge toward the Portland goal. Sophomore midfielder Eleanor Morrissey had another shot in the 28th minute, barely missing the goal. 

The Trojans also missed several passes throughout the match, as well as some misconnects despite multiple attempts toward the Pilots’ goal. Early in the second half, a collision between USC graduate goalie Bella Grust and Portland sophomore forward Jillian McBride stalled the match. McBride was removed from the match following the collision, but returned shortly after. 

“[It was a] really difficult game for us, where it showed us exactly where we need to tighten up and be better, but we need this at this point in the season to show us where we need to get back to work,” Head Coach Jane Alukonis said in an interview with the Daily Trojan.

The Trojans had 18 total shots, with three of them being on goal but ultimately saved by Hills. Grust held off three attempts from Portland, making big-time plays to keep the Pilots scoreless and coming out of her box to block a shot from a charging Pilot in the 81st minute. 

“You see a play like that, where you have to come up big for the team, and that’s what you hope for,” Grust said in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “Obviously, being a keeper, there’s a lot of pressure on it, but that’s the fun part of being a keeper.”

With a pair of one-game weekends ahead, Alukonis said she hopes to have more time in training to focus on what the Trojans need. 

“We have a big game next week against Stanford, and truly, that’s what we should just be looking forward [to], and regroup and continue what we do,” Grust said. “We’re a good team, so [we’re] excited.” 

The Trojans face the No. 1-ranked Stanford Cardinal at Rawlinson Stadium on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for a clash between two top-5 teams.