University Southern California Trojans
Kushnir Lifts USC over Bears, 2-0
June 21, 1999 | Women's Soccer
October 18, 1998
LOS ANGELES - Junior defender Christina Kushnir scored two goals off of corner kicks to lift the USC women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over California on Sunday afternoon in the Coliseum.
The Women of Troy (8-6-1 overall, 2-2 Pacific-10 Conference) attempted a school-record-tying 14 corner kicks for the second time in three matches.
The Golden Bears (8-6, 3-1) lost for the first time in Pac-10 play. Every team in the Pac-10 now has a conference loss.
The first goal came in the 21st minute when junior midfielder Kim Clark's corner kick from the left side was hit into a crowd in front of the goal. California sophomore goalkeeper Maite Zabala got a hand on it, but it went to Kushnir, who kicked it in.
USC dominated possession in the second half and went ahead 2-0 in the 79th minute. The goal was similar to the first, as Clark's corner kick from the left side went into the box, then was deflected by freshman forward Christy Callier to Kushnir, who booted it home.
It was the first two-goal game of Kushnir's career. She has three goals this season and six in her career.
USC outshot Cal, 14-11, and limited the Bears to only three second-half shots. USC senior goalkeeper Karin Puccinelli made a diving save on a shot by senior forward Ashlee Hunt in the 82nd minute.
It was USC's sixth shutout of the season, also tying the school record.
"This was a complete effort," USC Coach Jim Millinder said. "Every player on the team worked hard the entire match. The Pac-10 is a race again, and we're back in it. We just have to keep playing like we did this weekend."
For the second straight year, USC swept Cal and Stanford (after beating the No. 15 Cardinal, 2-1, on Friday).
The game was taped by Fox Sports West 2 and will be shown on Friday (Oct. 23) at 1 p.m.
USC next hosts Oregon State on Friday (Oct. 23) at 3 p.m. at the Coliseum.
CAL 0-0---0
USC 1-1---2
Scoring: Kushnir (Clark), USC, 21:00; Kushnir (Callier, Clark), USC, 79:00.
Shots: USC 14, CAL 11 Saves: USC 4, CAL 3 Offsides: USC 2, CAL 0
Fouls: USC 13, CAL 8 Corners: USC 14, CAL 0 Att: 355
