University Southern California Trojans

Photo by: John McGillen
No. 8 Trojans Sprint Past Pepperdine for 5-0 Win
August 26, 2018 | Women's Soccer, Features
MALIBU, Calif. – The No. 8 USC women's soccer team again put up an impressive offensive display on Sunday, beating Pepperdine 5-0 on the road just a day after a 6-1 win over Cal Poly.
The Trojans had to make some adjustments after taking a 1-0 lead into the half, and sprinted out to a 4-0 lead by the 58th minute. An own goal on the Waves would seal the victory for USC. Savannah DeMelo led the way offensively for the Trojans, notching two goals and one assist, including the game-winner in the first half.
Kaylie Collins and Mackenna Carmichael combined in goal for USC's second shutout of the year, with Collins playing the bulk of the minutes and making the lone save necessary. Collins save came in the 49th minute, when it was still a 1-0 game, on a dangerous breakaway shot by Pepperdine. In the 53rd minute Collins came sliding out at the top of the box to pounce on a ball played forward, getting to it just before the Wave attacker, essentially shutting down the two best chances of the game for Pepperdine in a matter of four minutes.
DeMelo scored the Trojans second goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 51st minute and then would assist USC's fourth goal. Tara McKeown and Penelope Hocking netted the other two goals.
GOALS
18' – USC: Savannah DeMelo (assisted by Ashleigh Plumptre, Tara McKeown) – Plumptre played the ball ahead to McKeown deep on the right side of the box, and McKeown centered a pass to DeMelo who finished inside the right post.
51' – USC: Savannah DeMelo (PK) – Natalie Jacobs was taken down in the box while fighting for a loose ball and DeMelo buried the PK for her second goal of the day.
55' – USC: Penelope Hocking (assisted by Leah Pruitt) – Hocking received a pass from Pruitt in behind the defense and beat the keeper to the near post.
58' – USC: Tara McKeown (assisted by DeMelo) – DeMelo played a ball forward and this time McKeown got in behind the defense and beat the keeper to the bottom right corner.
67' – USC: Own goal by Pepperdine – Alea Hyatt tried to play a ball ahead to Hocking, but the Pepperdine defender got a head on it and sent it over her own keeper for the own goal.
NOTABLE
UP NEXT
The Trojans hit the road for games at No. 6 Florida State (Friday) and No. 5 Florida (Sunday) next weekend.
The Trojans had to make some adjustments after taking a 1-0 lead into the half, and sprinted out to a 4-0 lead by the 58th minute. An own goal on the Waves would seal the victory for USC. Savannah DeMelo led the way offensively for the Trojans, notching two goals and one assist, including the game-winner in the first half.
Kaylie Collins and Mackenna Carmichael combined in goal for USC's second shutout of the year, with Collins playing the bulk of the minutes and making the lone save necessary. Collins save came in the 49th minute, when it was still a 1-0 game, on a dangerous breakaway shot by Pepperdine. In the 53rd minute Collins came sliding out at the top of the box to pounce on a ball played forward, getting to it just before the Wave attacker, essentially shutting down the two best chances of the game for Pepperdine in a matter of four minutes.
DeMelo scored the Trojans second goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 51st minute and then would assist USC's fourth goal. Tara McKeown and Penelope Hocking netted the other two goals.
GOALS
18' – USC: Savannah DeMelo (assisted by Ashleigh Plumptre, Tara McKeown) – Plumptre played the ball ahead to McKeown deep on the right side of the box, and McKeown centered a pass to DeMelo who finished inside the right post.
51' – USC: Savannah DeMelo (PK) – Natalie Jacobs was taken down in the box while fighting for a loose ball and DeMelo buried the PK for her second goal of the day.
55' – USC: Penelope Hocking (assisted by Leah Pruitt) – Hocking received a pass from Pruitt in behind the defense and beat the keeper to the near post.
58' – USC: Tara McKeown (assisted by DeMelo) – DeMelo played a ball forward and this time McKeown got in behind the defense and beat the keeper to the bottom right corner.
67' – USC: Own goal by Pepperdine – Alea Hyatt tried to play a ball ahead to Hocking, but the Pepperdine defender got a head on it and sent it over her own keeper for the own goal.
NOTABLE
- Sunday's win marked the first time since 1996 that the Trojans have scored at least five goals in back-to-back games. The 11 goals scored by USC in the last two games matches the most in a two-game stretch since 2014.
- All three of the Trojans goal scorers were teammates on the U.S. U-20 National Team this summer.
- USC had a 13-3 shot advantage and 9-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Trojans also had a 7-2 corner kick advantage.
- The Trojans are 3-0 for the first time since 2013.
- With her assist, Leah Pruitt has recorded at least a point in all three games for USC. She and DeMelo lead the team with seven points each.
UP NEXT
The Trojans hit the road for games at No. 6 Florida State (Friday) and No. 5 Florida (Sunday) next weekend.
Head Coach @Kmcdane after today's big road win at Pepperdine.#FightOn | #TrUSt pic.twitter.com/1k5HehAsGP
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) August 26, 2018
.@MckeownTara notched her second goal today, hear what she had to say about the Trojans' hot play as of late. #FightOn | #TrUSt pic.twitter.com/b58Fgx3kzR
— USC Women's Soccer (@USC_WSoccer) August 26, 2018
Team Stats
USC
PEP
Goals
5
0
Shots
13
3
Shots on Goal
9
1
Saves
1
4
Corners
7
2
Fouls
15
6
Scoring Plays

DeMelo, Savannah (1)
Assisted By: Plumptre, Ashleigh , McKeown, Tara
22 played up to 13 deep in box, centered
17:01

DeMelo, Savannah (2)
USC DeMelo, Savannah PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 2 for season.
50:07

Hocking, Penelope (2)
Assisted By: Pruitt, Leah
Off a steal, around a defender 35 pass u
54:13

McKeown, Tara (2)
Assisted By: DeMelo, Savannah
Ball played forward by 10, btm rt corner
57:31

TEAM
own goal
66:51
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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