No. 16 Trojan Lacrosse Ready for Slingshot Road Trip

LOS ANGELES– The 16th-ranked USC lacrosse team (7-5, 5-2 Pac-12) hits the road for tough Pac-12 matchups this weekend. The Trojans' first stop takes them to Boulder, Colo., to face No. 18 Colorado (7-4, 4-1) on Friday (April 6). From there, the Women of Troy boomerang up to the Pacific Northwest for a meeting with Oregon (6-5, 3-2) on Sunday (April 8). USC needed overtime to defeat both teams in home matches three weeks ago.

Senior All-American defender Lydia Sutton (27gb, 17ct) and All-Region senior goalie Gussie Johns (8.53 gaa, .505) lead the Trojans' defense. Midfielder Kerrigan Miller's (24g, 6a, 36dc, 33ct, 23gb) all-around game leads the attack. Johns, Miller, and Sutton are each on the Tewaaraton Award's Watch List.

After graduating over 200 goals from 2017, USC turns to Kaeli Huff (20g, 2a), and Emily Concialdi (12g, 2a), on the attack. Jackie Gilbert runs the center circle (44dc). Among newcomers, Kelsey Huff (17g, 2a), Izzy McMahon (22g, 8a), and Maeve McMahon(13g, 11a, 30dc) have made immediate impacts. Sophia Donovan has also been a recent spark with her eight goals (6gb, 3ct). Sixth-year head coach Lindsey Munday is 76-35 overall.

GAME #13 • Friday, April 6 • 3 p.m. MT (2 p.m. PT)
No. 16 USC (7-5, 5-2) at No. 18 Colorado (7-4, 4-1)
Kittredge Field • Boulder, Colo.
Series History: USC leads, 5-1 (.833) • Streak: W5
Last Meeting: W, 8-7 OT (Mar. 16, 2018 • McAlister Field)
Stream: Pac-12+ Colorado
Opponent Web: CUBuffs.com

GAME #14 • Sunday, April 8 • 12 p.m. PT
No. 16 USC (7-5, 5-2) at Oregon (6-5, 2-3)
Pape Field • Eugene, Ore.
Series History: USC leads, 5-2 (.714) • Streak: W4
Last Meeting: W, 9-8 OT (Mar. 18, 2018 • McAlister Field)
Stream: Pac-12+ Oregon
Opponent Web: GoDucks.com

CROSSExamination

USC is ranked No. 16 in the IWLCA coaches poll. The Trojans will face their eighth ranked opponent this season when they play at No. 18 Colorado on Friday (April 6).
The Trojans are 15-24 all-time against IWLCA ranked opponents.
USC was picked to finish first in its inaugural Pac-12 season.
Sixth-year head coach Lindsey Munday is 76-35 all-time.
USC leads the Pac-12 in goals-against average (8.24 gaa), caused turnovers (10.92 ctpg), and save percentage (.510).
The Trojans' last two visits to Boulder have resulted in one-goal decisions: a 12-11 overtime loss in 2014 and a 9-8 win in 2016 with a game-winner at 0:16 left.
USC is 3-0 in Eugene and scored a 17-7 win over the Ducks in 2017.
The Trojans have won nine straight combined against CU and Oregon.

TRACK THE TROJANS: For a behind-the-scenes look, fans of USC lacrosse can follow the Trojans on Twitter and Instagram at @USCTrojansLax. USC appeared in three Pac-12 Networks broadcasts this spring. Home games against Colorado (Mar. 16), California (Mar. 30), and Stanford (Apr. 1) were on the networks' national and regional channels. Games at the inaugural Pac-12 championship tournament will also be televised on the Networks. The Trojans faced Virginia Tech (Feb. 10) and Notre Dame (Feb. 23) on ACC Network Extra and was on FloSports for their game at Northwestern (Feb. 25). USC's non-broadcast league games are shown on the Pac-12+ platform.

SCOUTING NO. 18 COLORADO: The Buffaloes (7-4, 4-1 Pac-12) open the back half of their Pac-12 schedule coming off a non-conference loss to Denver (10-8) on the road. CU is led by Darby Kiernan who has amassed 49 points (35g, 14a) this season. She is also the league's leader for draw controls with 92 overall. In goal, Julia Lisella leads the Pac-12 with 8.46 goals-against average and a .547 save percentage. Miranda Stinson is Colorado's other major offensive threat. She has 34 goals and 11 assists to date. USC has won five straight against Colorado including an 8-7 overtime decision at McAlister Field the last time to teams met on March 16. The Trojans are 1-1 in Boulder. They fell, 12-11 in overtime, in 2014 during the Buff's first season as a program and got a narrow 9-8 win there in 2016.

SCOUTING OREGON: The Ducks (6-5, 2-3 Pac-12) collected two non-conference wins last week with a 17-12 victory at Vanderbilt and a 14-3 win at Eastern Carolina. Oregon is led by Shannon Williams who has 26 goals and 17 assists on the season. Jill Zubilaga has 33 goals and four assists. Cambi Cukar leads the Pac-12 in assists and has 29 this season to go with seven goals. Lexy Biller will take draws for the Ducks and has won 77 this season. In goal, Brittany Read has a 10.76 goals-against average and a .486 save percentage. The Trojans have won four straight games against the Ducks including an 8-7 win in overtime at McAlister Field the last time the two teams met on March 18. The Women of Troy are 3-0 in Eugene and won by 10 goals (17-7) in a visit there last season.

ONES TO WATCH:Senior goalie Gussie Johns and senior defender Lydia Sutton were each named to the initial Tewaaraton Award Watch List announced on March 1. Sophomore midfielder Kerrigan Miller was later added to the national watch list on March 22 in the first round of additions. The award honors the top men's and women's lacrosse player in the country. Previously, Courtney Tarleton and Michaela Michael were named nominees. This year, the list of 25 national nominees will be named on April 26. The five men's and women's finalists will be announced on May 10 with the ceremonial presentation to the winner set for May 31 in Washington, D.C.

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Players Mentioned

Emily Concialdi

Kaeli Huff

Kelsey Huff

Gussie Johns

Izzy McMahon

Maeve McMahon

Kerrigan Miller

Lydia Sutton