USC
Minnesota
Trojans Take First Loss Of 2012
August 26, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 26, 2012
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- The USC women's soccer team wound up with its first loss of 2012 when visiting Minnesota rattled off a winning answer to the Trojans' opening goal, finishing off a 4-1 win over USC on Sunday afternoon at McAlister Field. USC freshman Katie Johnson became the sixth USC newcomer to score this year with her finish in the box in the 25th minute, but the Golden Gophers fired back with the equalizer less than a minute later. Three more Minnesota goals put USC out of reach of a comeback. USC goes to 2-1 overall with the loss, and Minnesota improves to 2-2. Today's game marked the USC debut on the new Pac-12 Networks as the match was broadcast live on the conference's national network.
The Women of Troy applied the opening pressure to the Gopher back line with some early tests of the Minnesota defense. Katie Johnson saw her first shot at a score hit the crossbar early, and Minnesota would take some of the momentum from there. After some Gopher attacks were launched and turned away by the Trojans, USC got deep in Gopher territory again. Freshman Marlee Carrillo catapulted a throw-in bomb into the box, where Alex Quincey tapped a head on it, pushing it toward the back post for Katie Johnson to finish off with her foot, and USC was up 1-0 on the Gophers.
Minnesota regrouped quickly, however, charging back the other direction as Haley Helverson slipped a pass into the box for Taylor Uhl, who pounced on it and slid it home for the equalizer in the 26th minute. Less than two minutes later, Minnesota had another one buried in the back of the Trojan net when a save by USC goalkeeper Caroline Stanley rebounded to Gopher Taylor Woodnick for what would stand as the game-winner. But it was still the first half, and USC was working to pull even. Freshman Megan Borman delivered a shot on a breakaway, only to have Minnesota goalkeeper Cat Parkhill haul it in for the save to preserve the lead.
In the second half, Elizabeth Eddy opened with an early laser on frame. The blast was again stopped by Parkhill, who would finish with five saves on the day. A couple USC free kicks set up more potential equalizers for the Trojans, but they were unable to break through. Minnesota, meanwhile, generated another strong strike when Allie Phillips put the ball up for Uhl, who went one-on-one with a charging Stanley, shoving the ball past the USC keeper and through for the 3-1 advantage in the 69th minute. Four minutes later, USC found itself further out of reach when Uhl sailed a long cross to Phillips, returning the favor as Minnesota scored again to go up 4-1.
USC now turns to host the USC Futbol Classic next weekend with No. 2 Duke, San Diego and Washington State coming to McAlister Field. The Trojans open up with the Blue Devils in another Pac-12 Network televised showdown. USC and Duke face off a 4 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 31) following a 1 p.m. matchup between San Diego and WSU. On Sunday (Sept. 2), Duke and WSU play at 11:30 a.m., and the Trojans take the field against San Diego at 2 p.m.
Minnesota 4, USC 1
Aug. 26, 2012 - Los Angeles, Calif. (McAlister Field) USC 1 - 0 = 1
MIN 2 - 2 = 4
SCORING:
24:57 -- USC: Katie Johnson (Marlee Carrillo, Alex Quincey)
25:50 -- MINN: Taylor Uhl (Haley Helverson)
27:16 -- MINN: Taylor Woodnick (unassisted)
68:35 -- MINN: Uhl (Allie Phillips)
72:29 -- MINN: Phillips (Uhl)
SHOTS: USC 16, MINN 15
SAVES: Caroline Stanley (USC) 5, Cat Parkhill (MINN) 5.
CORNER KICKS: USC 3, MINN 5
FOULS: USC 11, MINN 9
