Trojans' Dramatic Comeback Against No. 14 UCLA Thwarted by Late PK

Friday, October 30

Los Angeles, Calif.

7:00 p.m. PT

USC

2-10-6, 1-7-4

UCLA

12-4-2, 9-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
UCLA	0	3	3
Southern California	0	2	2

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Photo by: Bryce Dechert

October 30, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Book (PDF)Highlights

LOS ANGELES — Peyton Nakagawara scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to pull the USC women's soccer team even with No. 14 UCLA on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Rawlinson Stadium, but the Bruins were awarded a penalty kick in the 88^th minute and converted to pull out a 3-2 victory.

The Trojans finish their season 2-10-6 overall and 1-7-4 in Big Ten play. UCLA moves to 12-4-2 overall and 9-2-1 in conference action.

The teams played scoreless through the first 45 minutes of play, but UCLA struck with an early goal in the second half and later converted a penalty kick to pull away midway through the final period.

Nakagawara made it a one-goal game in the 81^st minute after Mary Cochran stole the ball from a UCLA defender and poked it ahead for Nakagawara, who ran onto it, took one touch, and finished in the upper right corner through contact.

The equalizer came off of a set piece in the 87^th minute. Alyssa Parsons sent a free kick from near the left sideline and Nakagawara redirected it near the top of the penalty area, sending the ball through traffic and just inside the far-right post.

UCLA challenged a play in the penalty area in the 88^th minute and were awarded their second PK of the evening. Kara Croone converted the try to put the visiting Bruins ahead for good.

Nakagawara finished the season with a team-high five goals after posting the first multi-goal game of her career on Friday.

Josie Biehl also did her part to keep the Trojans in it all evening, finishing with eight saves in the rivalry matchup. Biehl finished the year with 79 saves in her inaugural collegiate campaign. Her 79 saves are the most by a Trojan keeper since Sammy Jo Prudhomme's 106 in 2016.

GOALS
48' – UCLA: Kara Croone (assisted by Oruha Hayashi)

66' – UCLA: Paloma Daubert (PK)

81' – USC: Peyton Nakagawara (assisted by Mary Cochran)

87' – USC: Peyton Nakagawara (assisted by Alyssa Parsons)

88' – UCLA: Kara Croone (PK)