Sampaio's Final-Minute Free Kick Gives No. 9 USC 2-1 Win Over No. 16 Penn State

Sunday, October 20

Carson, Calif.

12:00 p.m.

USC

13-1-2, 8-0-1

Penn State

11-4-3, 5-3-2

Penn State

USC

Photo by: Drake Lee

Sampaio's Final-Minute Free Kick Gives No. 9 USC 2-1 Win Over No. 16 Penn State

October 20, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Highlights Final Book (PDF)

CARSON, Calif. – The No. 9 USC women's soccer team picked up a thrilling 2-1 win over No. 16 Penn State on Sunday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park, getting a stunning free-kick goal from Helena Sampaio in the 90^th minute to remain atop the Big Ten standings.

The victory sets up a winner-take-all match for the Big Ten title with No. 10 UCLA next Sunday. USC moves to 13-1-2 overall and 9-0-1 in Big Ten action, with the Trojans taking 28 points and a two-point lead over UCLA in the standings into next week's regular season finale. A tie would also clinch a conference title for the Trojans. Penn State falls to 11-4-3, 5-3-2 with the loss.

Aaliyah Farmer was the first half hero for USC, putting the Trojans on top by tapping home her own rebound in the 23^rd minute. The early USC advantage lasted all the way into the 88^th minute, when the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty and converted the kick.

Just under two minutes later, Sampaio was fouled about seven yards outside of the penalty area, setting up a free kick from about 25 yards out. With the clock stopped, the Brazilian midfielder took the kick and perfectly placed a shot in the upper left corner for the game-winning goal. It was Sampaio's third goal of the season to go along with her team-leading five assists.

After the restart, the Trojan defense held off Penn State for the final 24 seconds before the USC bench was able to rush the field and celebrate the victory.

The Trojans outshot Penn State 15-8 on the day and held the visitors to just two shots in the second half. Laurence Gladu made four big saves, including stopping two near point blank shots and another that she tipped up over the bar in the first half.

USC's only tie in conference play came on Sept. 26 against Minnesota. Since then, the Trojans have won six straight, including victories over two ranked opponents this week (No. 15 Ohio State on Thursday). USC's only loss of the year came on the road at then-No. 1 Stanford on Sept. 8. The Trojans' nine conference victories matches a program record set back in 2015.

SCORING
23' – USC: Aaliyah Farmer (unassisted) – BK Harris sent a long pass into the box that Farmer headed on target, but the Penn State Keeper was there for the save, Farmer, however, pounced on the rebound and knocked it home.

88' – PSU: Rowan Lapi (PK) – Kaitlyn MacBean was taken down near the edge of the box to draw the penalty kick and Lapi converted inside the right post.

90' – USC: Helena Sampaio (unassisted) – Sampaio was fouled near the top right side of the penalty area and scored on the free kick, placing the ball in the upper left corner from 25 yards out.

UP NEXT
The Trojans finish the regular season next weekend on Sunday (Oct. 27) against No. 10 UCLA at noon. That game will decide the regular season Big Ten Conference Championship, with USC needing a win or tie and UCLA needing a win. Sunday's game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.