USC Women’s Soccer dominates Oregon State to secure another win

The Trojans were able to ride their wave of momentum from beating Stanford into beating Oregon State Thursday night in Corvallis.

In their second conference match of the season, the No. 20 Trojans put on a spectacular display, beating Oregon State 5-1. This now takes them to a 6-1-1 record, 2-0 in conference play, and the Trojan’s 10th straight win over Oregon State.

“There was one tiny hiccup but a fantastic game for all 90 minutes,” USC head coach Jane Alukonis said after the match. Coach Alukonis also acknowledged the game was filled with “special attacking moments” and how “the defensive back line did a really nice job.”

The USC offense started the game out hot and agressive, which would be the story of the game. The Trojans were relentless, shooting shot after shot all culminating in sophomore midfielder Simi Awujo executing a beautiful goal off a perfect one-touch pass. The fluid motion of passing in tight spaces led to the Trojans first goal of the game in the 21st minute.

The offense would continue its onslaught while USC’s defense was able to prevent multiple shots from going in. While a few shots were taken, the defense made sure the Trojans stayed in control of the game. In a scary moment in the 38th minute of the game, Oregon State senior forward Sophie Conrad was able to evade the defense and take a shot on goal that was barely saved.

USC’s offensive third of sophomore Zoe Burns and seniors Nicole Payne and Croix Bethune continued to prove Oregon State was no match for them. This led to Bethune getting the second goal of the night by redirecting the ball into the net off an assist from sophomore forward Simone Jackson. Payne attempted a final goal to end the half but could not find the angle. The Trojans would finish the first half 2-0.

The second half would change the complexion of the game with Oregon State starting off with a purpose. In the 51st minute, Oregon State junior forward Amber Jackson was able to get a flick header for a goal against the Trojans.

Even with this goal, Coach Alukonis wasn’t too concerned. “I felt secure most of the game,” Alukonis said. “We have to have confidence and stick to the game plan,” as well as they had to “had to be a little tighter in the second half.”

The Trojans did just that, immediately responding with a close shot and then in the 63rd minute Bethune would pass the ball to Jackson who blasted the ball into the net for the team’s third goal of the night.

The USC defense was able to fend off Oregon State sophomore forward McKenna Martinez who attempted to push forward the entire game. The offense was able to overcome junior goalkeeper Hailey Coll who wasn’t going down without a fight and had several great saves.

In sophomore defender Kayla Colbert’s first game of the season she was out to prove herself and she certainly did. She was able to rush past the defense and put the ball in the bottom corner off a long shot in the 82nd minute. She would then follow this up with an assist to senior forward Hannah White in the 88th minute of the game.

Coach Alukonis was thrilled with her performance coming from injuries stating. “Kayla has an enormous amount of talent,” Alukonis said.

With that the No. 20 Trojans were able to put away the Beavers 5-1. USC gave it their all for the whole 90 minutes, case and point with the offense’s nonstop barrage even up to the fifth goal of the game. USC got standout performances from the likes of Colbert, Bethune, Payne, Burns and Jackson.

Coach Alukonis says they have started their recovery process and they “are already getting prepared for their next game.” She believes that they will be able to keep this momentum going into their matchup at Oregon on Sunday, October 2.