USC soccer came into Friday’s match searching for a glimmer of hope and maybe to score a goal for the first time in over two weeks. In their previous two matches, the Trojans were outscored 7-0 and had yet to win a Big Ten game or keep one competitive.

With an amazingly strong 26-3-1 all-time record against Oregon (6-1-2, 1-1-1 Big Ten) and a 13-game winning streak against the Ducks, a glimmer of hope shone brighter for a desperate Trojan squad. USC (1-5-3, 0-2-1) managed a 1-1 draw, ending a three-game homestand on a much better note than what it started on.

Despite controlling the first half on offense, the Trojans gave up a goal to the Ducks before striking back early in the second half. As USC prepares to hit the road for the first time in Big Ten play, a draw to snap the previous two-game losing streak might have been just what USC needed.

Trojan offense held scoreless in first half

A strong Trojan first half was defined by a whopping eight shots taken as opposed to just three by the Ducks. Despite outnumbering Oregon on attempts, the Ducks made the most of their chances and squeezed one past freshman goalkeeper Josie Biehl.

Before Oregon’s 22nd-minute goal, the Trojans had already racked up three shots in the first 15 minutes. The Ducks’ only goal came just 14 seconds after a yellow card was called on USC freshman forward Alyssa Parsons, setting up Oregon’s great field position.

While Biehl saved the first shot in the sequence right after the penalty, USC gave the ball right back to the Ducks. With a nifty slight touch of the ball on a fast break, Oregon’s junior midfielder Carly Cormack put it past Biehl for the Ducks’ first but only goal of the night.

After falling into another 1-0 hole, it seemed like more of the same story for the Trojans, as they have struggled to escape deficits so far this season. With five losses looming over USC’s head, the need for a win or even a draw was critical.

The Trojans still got another five shots off by the end of the half, but finished the first 45 minutes behind on the scoreboard.

Opportunities arise for both teams

Right off the second-half kickoff, the Trojans wasted no time on offense and quickly made the Ducks pay for their lack of defense.

Graduate forward Maya McDermott tore across the left side of the pitch, centering the ball just outside the box. McDermott loaded up and took a long, high shot at the goal, which grazed the fingertips of Oregon’s redshirt senior goalkeeper, Kailey Kimball, and eventually found the back of the net in the top right corner.

The spectacular goal marked McDermott’s first since joining USC over the offseason after transferring from Syracuse. McDermott logged over 400 minutes on the pitch before the ball finally found the back of the net, tying the score for the Trojans and putting them right back into the game.

She would get another shot off in the 74th minute, but this time, Kimball didn’t let it get past her and recorded the save. McDermott, celebrating senior day along with six of her teammates, made the most of the game, playing a very impactful 62 minutes off the bench.

Just three minutes after McDermott’s final shot, Oregon nearly broke through the Trojan defense in the 77th minute on a corner kick. As Duck junior midfielder Logan Russo took in the corner kick, she tried to knock the ball into the net on a relatively high kick, but to no avail as Biehl made a perfectly timed save and got the ball out of the box.

Biehl made a crucial sliding stop in the 90th minute to keep the game tied in what could have been a heartbreaker for USC as the clock wound down, securing the 1-1 draw for the Trojans.

With three home conference matches done, USC will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State (6-1-1, 2-1) before heading to University Park, Pennsylvania, to play Penn State (4-2-2, 2-1) for two tough road matchups.

The Trojans will take on the Buckeyes in their first road Big Ten match Thursday at 4 p.m. at Owens Memorial Stadium.