USC Women's Soccer Advances to NCAA Round of 16 with Wild OT Win

Friday, November 22

Irvine, Calif.

5:00 p.m.

USC

17-1-3, 10-0-1

Saint Louis

15-2-6, 7-0-3

Saint Louis

USC

Photo by: John McGillen

USC Women's Soccer Advances to NCAA Round of 16 with Wild OT Win

November 22, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

IRVINE, Calif. – The No. 1-seeded USC women's soccer team won a thriller in Irvine to advance to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, taking down No. 8-seeded St. Louis, 4-3, on a Maile Hayes PK in overtime.

The Trojans took the lead three times on the evening, only to see the Billikens tie it up three times, with the final St. Louis goal coming in the 88^th minute to send it to overtime. USC's fourth goal of the day did the trick, with Hayes getting taken down in the box in the 98^th minute and then converting the PK to keep USC's Tournament run alive.

Hayes scored twice on the day, with her first goal coming in the 12^th minute to give the Trojans an early 1-0 lead. That advantage lasted through the break until Hannah Larson evened the score in the 48^th minute.

Simone Jackson had the answer for the Trojans as she finished off a pass from Hayes to again put USC up in the 62^nd minute. The advantage lasted less than two minutes as the Billikens' Sophia Stram equalized. Kayla Colbert was next up for the Trojans, scoring in the 87^th minute to give USC what looked like a late game-winner. Stram again played hero for St. Louis, though, volleying one home in the 88^th minute to send it to overtime.

USC dominated possession and chances in the extra period, with Hayes finally working her way deep into the penalty area and getting taken down near the endline to draw the penalty. Her attempt from the spot was a no-doubter as she buried it inside the left post.

The Trojans will face Wisconsin on Sunday in the Round of 16 after the Badgers beat Virginia on PK's earlier in the day. That game will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Great Park in Irvine.