Women’s Soccer | November 06, 2024
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- Big Ten Tournament
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Game Notes (PDF)
THIS WEEK – The No. 4 ranked USC women’s soccer team is poised to compete in the semifinals of the prestigious Big Ten Tournament. They will face off against Rutgers in a high-stakes match on Thursday, scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/2 p.m. CT, held at CITYPARK Field in St. Louis, Missouri. If the Trojans secure a victory, they will advance to the Tournament Finals on Sunday, where they will take on the winner of the upcoming clash between UCLA and Washington. Having clinched the Big Ten regular season title through an impressive campaign, the Trojans are proudly positioned as the tournament’s top seed.
HOW TO FOLLOW – Excitingly, Sunday’s match will be available for viewing live on the Big Ten Network. Fans can find links for the broadcast and real-time statistics on the women’s soccer schedule page located at USCTrojans.com. For those who prefer immediate updates, in-game insights will also be shared on X (formerly Twitter) by following the official handle @USC_Wsoccer.
SOCIAL MEDIA – For comprehensive updates and engaging content about USC women’s soccer throughout the year, fans are encouraged to follow the Trojans on various social media platforms. You can find them on Instagram at @USCWsoccer, on TikTok at @uscwomenssoccer, on X at @USC_Wsoccer, and on Facebook by liking USC Women’s Soccer.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. RUTGERS – The USC Trojans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have met only once historically, back in 2004, when the Trojans emerged victorious in a thrilling double-overtime encounter, winning 3-2. In that match, the teams exchanged goals, with Rutgers initially finding the net before the Trojans scored the decisive goal in the 105th minute. Thursday’s match marks a new chapter as these two programs meet as conference rivals for the first time, having not faced each other during the regular season.
BIG TEN POSTSEASON AWARDS – This week marked the announcement of the Big Ten Postseason awards, celebrating the standout performances of numerous Trojans. Helena Sampaio earned the prestigious title of Midfielder of the Year, while Laurence Gladu was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally, Jane Alukonis was celebrated as Coach of the Year. Four Trojans distinguished themselves on the All-Big Ten first team, including Gladu and Sampaio, joined by Maile Hayes and Brooklyn Courtnall. Maria Alagoa received recognition by being named to the All-Big Ten second team, with Kayla Colbert and Simone Jackson making the third team. Freshman sensations Faith George and Ines Derrien were honored on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT- With an undefeated record through the conference season, the Trojans claimed the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, demonstrating their dominance with a remarkable 10-0-1 finish. This 10-team tournament features a single-elimination format, with the lower seeds (7-10) competing to earn a chance to face the top two seeds. The initial matches take place at the University of Minnesota, before the tournament shifts to CITYPARK in Missouri for the semifinals and finals.
RPI RANKING – The freshly released RPI rankings spotlighted USC at No. 5 after their impressive run to claim the Big Ten regular season title last week. USC is one of three Big Ten programs proudly ranked within the Top 10, with Penn State at No. 9 and Iowa following closely at No. 10. USC’s only blemish on their record this season occurred over a month ago during a match against Stanford, who currently sits at No. 8 on the latest RPI list.
COACHES POLL – Recent rankings from the United Soccer Coaches Poll saw the Trojans making strides into the Top 4 for the first time this season, landing at No. 4. Starting the season ranked at No. 23, USC briefly fell out of the polls after a draw in their opening match. Their only loss since then came at the hands of then-No. 1 ranked Stanford. Prior to securing their spot in the Top 4, the Trojans held the No. 6 position.
D1 COMMITTEE’S TOP 16 – Two weeks ago, the D1 committee unveiled their postseason Top 16 projections, placing USC at No. 11. This ranking considers multiple factors, including adjusted RPI, head-to-head competition, results against common opponents, and strength of schedule. Remarkably, alongside the Trojans, four other Big Ten squads also made it into the Top 13, underscoring the competitiveness of the conference. Since the committee’s announcement, USC has maintained a strong performance, going 3-0 against three ranked opponents.
QUARTERFINAL WIN VS. OSU – In an exhilarating quarterfinal clash, Jaiden Anderson emerged as the hero by scoring just over a minute into overtime, propelling USC to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ohio State. The Trojans dominated throughout regulation, registering 18 shots compared to Ohio State’s mere 3, with six strikes on target. After a tense scoreless 90 minutes, Anderson’s decisive goal came at the 1:26 mark of the first overtime. Laurence Gladu showcased her skills with a crucial save that pushed the match into overtime, and she was untroubled by shots during the extra period, achieving her remarkable 10th shutout of the season. This victory extended the Trojans’ winning streak to eight games and their unbeaten streak to an impressive 12 matches.
B1G CHAMPIONSHIP WIN VS. UCLA – USC achieved a historic milestone by clinching the Big Ten title with a narrow 1-0 victory over UCLA, capping off their unbeaten regular season. The early goal from Maile Hayes in the 36th minute, coupled with stellar defensive efforts, stifled UCLA’s attacking threats and secured the Trojans their first-ever Big Ten championship across all sports. The USC defense, alongside goalkeeper Laurence Gladu, recorded their ninth shutout of the year, restricting the Bruins to a dismal five shots on goal. This victory marks the program’s first outright conference title, with their previous title being a shared Pac-10 championship in 1998. The Trojans’ impressive 10-0-1 record signifies their first-ever undefeated conference season, setting a new standard for future teams.
PLAYER/TEAM NOTES:
- Maile Hayes leads the Trojans in points and goals with 19 points, 8 goals, and 3 assists. She was pivotal against Ohio State, providing an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime. After a standout performance where she scored the winning goal against UCLA, she was rightfully named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. With 10 points amassed in the last seven games, Hayes is a formidable force on the field and has earned a spot on the All-Big Ten first team.
- Maria Alagoa ranks second in points on the team with a tally of 13 points. With 5 goals and 3 assists this season, Alagoa has been influential, contributing 9 points over the last eight matches. She recently assisted on the game-winning goal against Ohio State, earning her recognition on the All-Big Ten second team.
- Helena Sampaio has been a key player for the Trojans, contributing 3 goals and a team-leading 6 assists. Her recent game-winning goal from a 25-yard free kick against Penn State showcased her talent, earning her Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. Praised for her exceptional midfielding skills, Sampaio has collected both the Midfielder of the Year award and All-Big Ten first team accolades.
- Kayla Colbert has secured her place in the scoring ranks with 11 points, comprising 4 goals and 3 assists. Her contributions, including a standout game with two assists at Illinois, earned her All-Big Ten third team recognition.
- Senior Simone Jackson made her mark this season with two goals, including a crucial game-winner against Ohio State, and was previously recognized on the All-Pac-12 second team. This year, she earned a spot on the All-Big Ten third team.
- Freshman Faith George has shown impressive form with 9 points, including 3 goals and 3 assists, demonstrating her potential with a goal scored against Illinois. Her standout play earned her a place on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
- Freshman Ines Derrien received the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award following her first collegiate goal at Northwestern, showcasing her potential. She has become a consistent presence on the field, earning recognition on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
- Freshman Jaiden Anderson made a crucial impact in the tournament, scoring a pivotal game-winning goal in overtime against Ohio State. Notably, she has appeared in 17 of the 18 games this season while contributing two assists.
- Goalkeeper Laurence Gladu has been in phenomenal form, logging all 1,622 minutes of play this season and leading the team with an impressive 10 shutouts, ranking her amongst the best in the Big Ten. Her stellar achievements included opening Big Ten play with three consecutive shutouts, securing her status as Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year.
- USC’s 32 goals this season have been distributed among 10 different players, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility.
- Remarkably, USC has outshot 13 of their 18 opponents this season, showcasing their offensive dominance with a total shot comparison of 245-136.
- Currently, the Trojans are enjoying a 12-match unbeaten streak and an impressive 8-match winning streak. They have not trailed in a match since September 8, when they lost 2-1 to then-No. 1 Stanford, highlighting their strong performance throughout the season.
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the USC Trojans have had an outstanding season, achieving both personal and team milestones while preparing for their upcoming semifinal match against Rutgers. With exceptional individual performances recognized by the Big Ten awards and a strong showing in both the regular season and postseason play, the Trojans are eager to continue their success as they aim for the conference championship. Fans are encouraged to support the team, tune in to the matches, and follow their journey through various platforms for the latest updates.
