Late Game Heroics Propels USC Lacrosse to Victory on Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31

Los Angeles, Calif.

12:00 PM

USC

9-3, 3-0Pac-12

California

4-7, 1-2Pac-12

California

USC

Photo by: Drake Lee

Late Game Heroics Propels USC Lacrosse to Victory on Easter Sunday

March 31, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

The Women of Troy (9-3, 3-0 Pac-12) remain perfect, as they bested California 9-8 in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum Opener

LOS ANGELES – No. 21-ranked USC lacrosse pulled out some late-game heroics, as junior Maddie Dora scored the game-winning goal with 4:24 left on the clock, as the Women of Troy bested California 9-8 on Sunday, Mar. 31 at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

KEY PLAYERS:

Senior Shelby Tilton found the net four times, as she secured her 100^th and 101 goals for her career. Ella Heaney picked up another hat trick, as she put together a three-goal affair. Tilton now has a team-leading eighth hat trick this season, which brings her to 18 for her career. Heaney picked up her sixth this season and now has 21 for her career.
Defensively the Trojans dominated, as they only allowed eight goals against the Golden Bears. USC was led by junior Alexis Niblock, who had five ground balls and two caused turnovers.
In a relief effort, senior goalkeeper Kait Devir picked up the win, as she had four saves and only allowed two goals in 30 minutes of work.
USC forced nine caused turnovers, as Niblock, graduate student Danielle Carson and junior Catherine Lord all had two caused turnovers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Women of Troy got off to a steady start, giving the first goal to Cal but taking the last two in the first quarter. Tilton and Heaney scored the two goals, bringing their goals for this season to 29 and 30, respectively. USC led in shots on goal 6-4 versus Cal. Going into the second quarter USC was up 2-1, having held Cal off defensively, only allowing them to score one goal this quarter.
Cal would dominate the second quarter bringing in five goals and holding off USC defensively. Heaney scored the sole USC goal in this quarter, her second goal of the game, bringing the score to 6-3 with Cal up going into the half.
The Women of Troy locked in in the third quarter, scoring twice and allowing only one Cal goal. Tilton and Heaney brought in the two goals in the last seven minutes of the quarter. USC outshot Cal ten to four in the third. Defensively, USC picked up four groundballs while Cal had zero. Going into the fourth the Women of Troy trailed 5-7.
The fourth quarter saw a Trojan turnaround. Maddie Dora and Tilton each scored twice bringing the score up to 9-8 for a Trojan win. The Women of Troy picked up six groundballs this quarter and led shots on goal 6-2 versus Cal and took most of the draw controls.

UP NEXT:
The Women of Troy hit the road as they battle Oregon starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 in Eugene, OR.

GAME NOTES:

Shelby Tilton scored her 100^th career goal with her third goal on the day at 10:06 in the fourth quarter. The senior now has 101 goals for her career.
This is the Women of Troy's first game in the Coliseum since Mar. 25, 2022, when they beat Arizona State 17-10. USC is now 6-3 all-time in the Coliseum.
The Women of Troy have won 17-straight games against California, this is the longest active win-streak USC has against a single opponent. The Women of Troy are 17-1 all-time vs. the Golden Bears and this is the first time USC has played Cal in the Coliseum.

For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and X @USCTrojansLax.