The season finale for the Trojans was a high-stakes showdown against none other than crosstown rivals UCLA.
USC women’s soccer had never won an outright conference title, but the opportunity was within reach: all they needed was a win or a tie.
This game was driven by a high level of intensity and physicality. The Trojans’ defense played a crucial role in stopping the Bruins from ruining their undefeated Big Ten season.
Senior defender Brooklyn Courtnall played a full 90 minutes and has been playing for the full game for the last seven games. Despite her enormous workload, Courtnall’s production never ceases. The Bruins struggled to create shots on the goal due to Courtnall’s leadership of a tight-knit USC defense.
Courtnall has been at USC since her freshman season in 2021. In that time, she’s witnessed the program transform under new coaches, players and facilities.
“Adding new people into this team has given us an edge, for sure,” Courtnall said.
The influx of new players has made the team even more dynamic, a change driven by the program’s hiring of head coach Jane Alukonis in 2022.
In the 36th minute, it was a transfer in senior forward Malie Hayes who fired home the game-winning goal through the legs of UCLA graduate goalkeeper Ryan Campbell and was assisted by transfer and graduate forward/midfielder Hannah Griffin and senior midfielder Helena Sampaio.
Hayes is the leading scorer and Sampaio, leads in assists; they both continue to shine in the biggest moments.
What seems to be the x-factor for this team? Investment.
USC sought out a talented coach in Alukonis, who built a highly competent staff around her. Combined with the team’s use of the transfer portal and commitment to player development — even in a season in which USC didn’t have a true home field — it’s astonishing what Alukonis and co. have achieved.
“USC has treated us like pros since the day I got here, every little and big gesture we’re so grateful for,” said Alukonis. “And there’s no other school in the country that I know of that will put a team up in two of the best stadiums, not just in LA, but in the whole United States.”
Although the Trojans were essentially on the road all year, they were treated as professionals and it paid off. They’ve played at stadiums that are home to professional soccer teams at BMO and Dignity Health Sports Park while they wait for a brand new stadium.
These players have been made to feel special even without having a home stadium this year and that’s due to all of the pro-like accommodations they’ve been awarded.
“We knew we had to come out and get it and make sure we give back to the school that gives a lot to us,” said Alukonis.
Players and coaches are grateful for this support and it’s made the victories that much sweeter.
“We’re definitely a Trojan family, we felt all the love today,” said Courtnall. “Having that big of a crowd and everyone supporting us, and getting to play in such an amazing environment with that many fans, just made it that much more special.”
Even UCLA head coach Marguerritte Aozasa was appreciative to play at the LA Galaxy’s home stadium, despite her team’s result. “Thank you to everybody to put this together because we would love (for) whenever we face them to play in an arena, this atmosphere, I thought this was fantastic, please just pass along our thanks.”
Young players in attendance also feel empowered and see what it’s like to be treated like a pro.
“I was actually talking to like an eight-year-old just after the game, and she said she wanted to be a coach,” said Alukonis. “And I was like, that’s really cool because you can see female coaches. You can see female players.”
With resources invested in the program — a new stadium on the way, an ambitious head coach and new players via the transfer portal — USC women’s soccer has found a new level of success.
The soccer season isn’t done yet. Next up they have the Big Ten tournament and they’re ready to conquer that challenge too.