Hocking Nets Brace as No. 4 Trojans Shut Out Nebraska 2-0

Sunday, September 8

Los Angeles, Calif.

12:00 PM

USC

5-0-0, 0-0-0

Nebraska

1-2-1, 0-0-0

Nebraska

USC

Photo by: Katie Chin

Hocking Nets Brace as No. 4 Trojans Shut Out Nebraska 2-0

September 08, 2019 | Women's Soccer, Features

Box Score Highlights Final Stats Box Score (PDF)

LOS ANGELES – The No. 4 USC women's soccer team got a pair of goals from Penelope Hocking and a second straight shutout at home to power past Nebraska 2-0 on Senior Day at McAlister Field.

The Trojans honored the seven seniors on their roster prior to the contest and then proceeded to move to 6-0 for the first time in program history with the win. Nebraska falls to 1-3-1 with the loss.

Hocking was assisted on both of her scores by fellow forward Tara McKeown as the two have now combined to produce 31 of the team's 45 total points on the season.

Hocking was set up on a through ball played ahead in the first half by McKeown, and then slotted a shot inside the left post. Similarly, in the second half Hocking got a pass slid her way in the box from McKeown and found the inside of the far post for the score. The sophomore forward just missed a hat trick after hitting the crossbar with a shot in the first half as well.

The Cornhuskers have the Trojans problems early and actually matched USC with five shots each in the first half, but goalkeeper Anna Smith was up to the task. The sophomore made six saves in the game to notch her second career shutout in four starts.

GOALS
39' – USC: Penelope Hocking (assisted by Tara McKeown) – Hocking ran onto a pass played ahead by McKeown, took a touch around a defender and beat the keeper to the left post for the goal.

53' – USC: Penelope Hocking (assisted by Tara McKeown) – McKeown collected a bouncing ball played ahead, turned with a defender on her back and made a run into the box, then slid a pass to her left for Hocking, who fired a shot back across the goal and inside the far post.

NOTABLE

The shutout was the fourth of the season for USC and the second career shutout for Smith in goal.
The Trojans are now 6-0 to start a season for the first time in program history.
McKeown leads the Trojans in both goals (7) and assists (4) this year.
USC has outscored opponents 16-3 so far this season.

UP NEXT
USC hits the road for the next two weeks, heading to Seattle University on Friday and then to Baylor the following week. The Trojans then open Pac-12 play at home against No. 3 Stanford on Sept. 28.