University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
For.
/ Women's Soccer
Def.
/ Women's Soccer
Gk.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid
/ Women's Soccer
Defender/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Def.
/ Women's Soccer
For.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
For.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
Gk.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
Def.
/ Women's Soccer
For.
/ Women's Soccer
Def.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
Mid.
/ Women's Soccer
Photo by: John McGillen
Rooted to Rise: The 2017 Trojans Are Ready for a New Run at a National Title
August 15, 2017 | Women's Soccer, Features
USC women's soccer begins defense of their National Championship on Friday. Aug. 18.
Rooted To Rise. The motto for the reigning national champions could not be more blue collar. According to fourth-year head coach Keidane McAlpine, "We are only as good as our discipline and our details."
 The 2017 team is going back to its roots, the foundation and fundamentals of a program under head coach Keidane McAlpine that won the national championship in 2016, its third season under his watch. By going back to their roots and foundational principles, McAlpine's aim is for the team to regroup and put themselves in a position to have another run at a national title.
"As much as we won last year, it took experiences and ups and downs over three seasons to get us to that point," explained McAlpine. "We still have some of those experiences in this group, but we have to go back to the fundamentals and roots because this is where we draw inspiration from. As a team we recognize that as much as we were good last season, we were only as good and went as far as our discipline and details."
The Trojans lost big-time names to graduation after the 2016 season, most notably 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist Morgan Andrews, 2016 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Mandy Freeman and 2016 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year Sammy Jo Prudhomme. Although the Trojans need to replace five key starters in total from the title-winning squad, the team returns the likes of Alex Anthony and Leah Pruitt offensively, along with 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate Ally Prisock on the defensive end.
Replacing Prudhomme in the net will be tough, but there are two Trojans up for the challenge. The goalkeeper battle is alive and well between senior Julia Murphy and redshirt Kaylie Collins. Although neither have much in-game experience, they each bring different things to the table.
"Kaylie's strength is her kicking and her presence, whereas Julia's experience is in training with the team, her quickness and shot blocking abilities. Kaylie is currently leading the way, and the decision will ultimately come down to a comfort thing, but it is going to be a great battle," explained McAlpine.
Defensively the team loses anchor Mandy Freeman, but returns Prisock and Julia Bingham, who was a part of the back line in 2016 that set a team-record 12 shutouts, including seven in a row. The Trojans are also excited about the return of Dominique Randle, as she is a voice with experience to help out the line. In addition to those two, the Trojans boast sophomore Ashleigh Plumptre and newcomers Jessica Haidet and Tara McKeown, providing depth at the position.
The Trojans return the most in the midfield from the national championship squad, led by seniors Nicole Molen, Sydney Sladek, Amanda Rooney and sophomore Jalen Woodward. The Trojans also add some exciting pieces in Savannah DeMelo, who was away in 2016 playing in the U-20 World Cup with the U.S. National Team and freshman Arlie Jones, who is a versatile and technical player who can also play up top.
The Trojan frontline is led by Anthony, who was tied for the team lead in 2016 with 10 goals and junior Leah Pruitt, who emerged as a key piece for the Trojans last season.
On the Trojan forwards McAlpine said, "We have two big-time forwards returning that gives us a lot of confidence that we are going to be able to attack teams and be solid on the front line. You also can never discount Sydney Johnson in her productivity over her career here and we expect another big year from her."
"Our technical quality has come up with this group. It is unity. It is chemistry," explained McAlpine." They are a little tighter and you will see that from the beginning with players being able to play in multiple positions and interchange. In the long run it is going to serve us well, giving us multiple weapons and we can take advantage of specific matchups depending on opponent."
"The two most exciting things about this team are our technical ability and our chemistry from the beginning," said McAlpine. "When you tie that into the experience and understanding of what it took last year from a large amount of the group, it could serve as well as we move through the season."
The Trojans do hope it will serve them well, as they are set to open up defense of their title ranked No. 3 in the nation on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. PT vs. UC Davis. Â
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 The 2017 team is going back to its roots, the foundation and fundamentals of a program under head coach Keidane McAlpine that won the national championship in 2016, its third season under his watch. By going back to their roots and foundational principles, McAlpine's aim is for the team to regroup and put themselves in a position to have another run at a national title.
"As much as we won last year, it took experiences and ups and downs over three seasons to get us to that point," explained McAlpine. "We still have some of those experiences in this group, but we have to go back to the fundamentals and roots because this is where we draw inspiration from. As a team we recognize that as much as we were good last season, we were only as good and went as far as our discipline and details."
The Trojans lost big-time names to graduation after the 2016 season, most notably 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist Morgan Andrews, 2016 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Mandy Freeman and 2016 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year Sammy Jo Prudhomme. Although the Trojans need to replace five key starters in total from the title-winning squad, the team returns the likes of Alex Anthony and Leah Pruitt offensively, along with 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate Ally Prisock on the defensive end.
Replacing Prudhomme in the net will be tough, but there are two Trojans up for the challenge. The goalkeeper battle is alive and well between senior Julia Murphy and redshirt Kaylie Collins. Although neither have much in-game experience, they each bring different things to the table.
"Kaylie's strength is her kicking and her presence, whereas Julia's experience is in training with the team, her quickness and shot blocking abilities. Kaylie is currently leading the way, and the decision will ultimately come down to a comfort thing, but it is going to be a great battle," explained McAlpine.
Defensively the team loses anchor Mandy Freeman, but returns Prisock and Julia Bingham, who was a part of the back line in 2016 that set a team-record 12 shutouts, including seven in a row. The Trojans are also excited about the return of Dominique Randle, as she is a voice with experience to help out the line. In addition to those two, the Trojans boast sophomore Ashleigh Plumptre and newcomers Jessica Haidet and Tara McKeown, providing depth at the position.
The Trojans return the most in the midfield from the national championship squad, led by seniors Nicole Molen, Sydney Sladek, Amanda Rooney and sophomore Jalen Woodward. The Trojans also add some exciting pieces in Savannah DeMelo, who was away in 2016 playing in the U-20 World Cup with the U.S. National Team and freshman Arlie Jones, who is a versatile and technical player who can also play up top.
The Trojan frontline is led by Anthony, who was tied for the team lead in 2016 with 10 goals and junior Leah Pruitt, who emerged as a key piece for the Trojans last season.
On the Trojan forwards McAlpine said, "We have two big-time forwards returning that gives us a lot of confidence that we are going to be able to attack teams and be solid on the front line. You also can never discount Sydney Johnson in her productivity over her career here and we expect another big year from her."
"Our technical quality has come up with this group. It is unity. It is chemistry," explained McAlpine." They are a little tighter and you will see that from the beginning with players being able to play in multiple positions and interchange. In the long run it is going to serve us well, giving us multiple weapons and we can take advantage of specific matchups depending on opponent."
"The two most exciting things about this team are our technical ability and our chemistry from the beginning," said McAlpine. "When you tie that into the experience and understanding of what it took last year from a large amount of the group, it could serve as well as we move through the season."
The Trojans do hope it will serve them well, as they are set to open up defense of their title ranked No. 3 in the nation on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. PT vs. UC Davis. Â
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