Sunday, November 24
Los Angeles, Calif.
1:30 PM
USC
17-4-1
1
vs
0
Santa Clara
15-6-2
1
2
F
Santa Clara
0
0
0
USC
1
0
1
Photo by: John McGillen
Defense Propels USC to NCAA Quarters With 1-0 Win Over Santa Clara
November 24, 2019 | Women's Soccer, Features
LOS ANGELES – For the third time in program history, the No. 9 USC women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over No. 20 Santa Clara at McAlister Field on Sunday afternoon.
USC moves on to face No. 2 North Carolina in the fourth round. That game will be in Chapel Hill on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
The Trojans got the lone goal of the game from defender Natalie Ward late in the first half, and the USC defense took care of the rest, shutting out the Broncos for the first time this year. The Trojans improve their record to 17-4-1 overall, while Santa Clara finishes its season 15-6-2.
Ward volleyed home a clearance attempt in the 41st minute, hitting the ball from about 25 yards out for the first goal of her collegiate career.
Kaylie Collins picked up her sixth save of the year, coming out to clear several balls and making the lone save she needed to during the game. The Trojan defense held Santa Clara to seven shots and three corners on the day. The Broncos came in averaging 16.8 shots and 2.7 goals per contest.
GOAL
41' – USC: Natalie Ward (unassisted) – Arlie Jones sent a corner kick into the box that was headed away by a Bronco defender, but fell right to Ward near the top of the penalty area and she volleyed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal.
NOTABLE
UP NEXT
The Trojans head to Chapel Hill to face No. 2 North Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, with the winner advancing to the College Cup in San Jose (Avaya Stadium). UNC is the #1 seed and the Trojans are the #2 seed in their quadrant of the bracket.
USC moves on to face No. 2 North Carolina in the fourth round. That game will be in Chapel Hill on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
The Trojans got the lone goal of the game from defender Natalie Ward late in the first half, and the USC defense took care of the rest, shutting out the Broncos for the first time this year. The Trojans improve their record to 17-4-1 overall, while Santa Clara finishes its season 15-6-2.
Ward volleyed home a clearance attempt in the 41st minute, hitting the ball from about 25 yards out for the first goal of her collegiate career.
Kaylie Collins picked up her sixth save of the year, coming out to clear several balls and making the lone save she needed to during the game. The Trojan defense held Santa Clara to seven shots and three corners on the day. The Broncos came in averaging 16.8 shots and 2.7 goals per contest.
GOAL
41' – USC: Natalie Ward (unassisted) – Arlie Jones sent a corner kick into the box that was headed away by a Bronco defender, but fell right to Ward near the top of the penalty area and she volleyed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal.
NOTABLE
- The Trojans have made the NCAA quarterfinal round three times in program history including this year, with the team winning its two titles the other two years (2007, 2016).
- Natalie Ward's goal was the first of the senior grad transfer's career.
- Santa Clara had not been shut out this season.
UP NEXT
The Trojans head to Chapel Hill to face No. 2 North Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, with the winner advancing to the College Cup in San Jose (Avaya Stadium). UNC is the #1 seed and the Trojans are the #2 seed in their quadrant of the bracket.
Hear from Head Coach @Kmcdane as the Trojans are in the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in his tenure.#FightOn | #FocUSed pic.twitter.com/hul91iaEJf
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) November 24, 2019
Team Stats
SCU
USC
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
19
Shots on Goal
1
8
Saves
7
1
Corners
3
11
Fouls
11
15
Scoring Plays
Ward,Natalie (1)
Failed clearance off corner one timed in
40:26
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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