Following USC soccer’s tie with Oregon last Friday, the Trojans are set to travel to Columbus for a bout with Ohio State, as they continue searching for their first conference win in 2026.

The battle against the No. 8 Buckeyes (6-1-1, 2-1-0 Big Ten) serves as another critical conference match for USC (1-5-3, 0-2-1). 

The Trojans find themselves trying to bounce back from an 0-2-1 start in Big Ten conference play, having failed to secure a single victory in almost a month. Their only win of the season so far came against New Mexico State University (1-7-2) on Aug. 27.  

A challenge that USC needs to prepare for will be going on the road, as its lone win came at home. On top of that, the Buckeyes have won all five of their matches with home-field advantage, so the Trojans will likely need to be at their best in order to seal the victory Thursday.

Trojan difference-makers look to step up

USC fell behind in the first half against Oregon before the Trojans equalized the game in the second half. Graduate forward Maya McDermott scored her first goal of the season in the 49th minute. 

McDermott will look to continue her momentum against Ohio State, as the Syracuse graduate scored two goals and two assists as a senior in 2025. While the Oregon match marked her first goal with USC, her development as the season goes on could prove invaluable for the Trojans.  

Freshman goalkeeper Josie Biehl was another key player, making crucial saves in both halves to keep the game against Oregon competitive. She has totaled 29 saves this season so far, with 14 goals allowed and a 0.674 save percentage.

Junior defender and forward Lily Biddulph could also be a positive impact for the upcoming match, as she leads the team with three goals on the season. She’s done so efficiently, with a 0.429 shooting percentage on seven shots taken, as she’s proven to be a key part of the Trojan offense. 

Buckeyes look to stay hot

Ohio State is approaching this game with determination as well, as it is coming off its first loss of the season against UCLA (5-3-1, 2-1 Big Ten) in its previous contest.  

An impactful player for the Buckeyes has been senior forward Amanda Schlueter. She has a team-high six goals so far this year, tied for second in the Big Ten, and has been a crucial factor in Ohio State’s strong start to the season.

Senior goalkeeper Peighton Northrup will be a highly difficult obstacle for USC to overcome to take down the Buckeyes. She has 25 saves and just three goals allowed this season, for a stellar save percentage of 0.893 that will likely force the Trojans to work harder in their offensive game. 

One of the highlights for USC against Oregon was its ability to maintain possession throughout the game. The Trojans controlled possession for 68% of the match and held a 14-7 lead in shots compared to the Ducks. If they carry over this momentum into Columbus, they could pull off the upset.

With a win, Thursday’s game could serve as a momentum setter for USC as it begins its stint on the road. The Trojans will face off against Penn State (4-2-2, 2-1) and the No. 18 University of Washington (7-0-2, 2-0-1) following their date with the Buckeyes. These next three matches will go a long way in determining whether or not USC can turn the season around. 

USC heads to Columbus to face Ohio State on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.