The Trojans extended their winning streak to 10 after shocking No. 1 Stanford.
LOS ANGELES – The No. 7 Trojans took down No. 1 Stanford 3-0 on Thursday night at McAlister Field for the first program win over a No. 1-ranked team.
The Trojans (10-2-0, 4-0 Pac-12) have now set a new school record with 10 straight victories. The Cardinal suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 10-1-1 overall, 3-1 in Pac-12 play. The win was also the first for the Trojans over the Cardinal at McAlister Field for the first time in five tries.
“This was a great win for us. I thought the team played with great heart and was able to withstand Stanford’s great pressure,” said Keidane McAlpine. "Stanford is a great team. It also shows what is possible. We have to keep working and keep grinding, but today was a special win for us.”
The Trojans got two goals from senior midfielder Morgan Andrews, who led the way for the Trojans in the victory. Goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme got her seventh shutout of the year.
Take down No. 1 Stanford 3-0: @USC_WSoccer fought on like it was nobody's business. First win over a No. 1 in school history. pic.twitter.com/QSonfGQklw
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 7, 2016
The Trojans started off a bit slow, as the Cardinal had some scoring opportunities early. However, the defense settled in and the Trojans got on the board first, as Andrews connected on a shot from distance in the 28th minute, with a laser from the left corner of the box to the upper left corner of the net to put the Trojans up 1-0. Mandy Freeman and Leah Pruitt tallied assists on the goal.
With the 1-0 lead at the half, the Trojans outshot Stanford 7-2, and each goalkeeper made one save.
In the second half the Trojans broke things open, as Alex Anthony took advantage of Stanford keeper being way off her line, and she lofted a ball from 40 yards out over the head of the keeper and into the empty net for the second goal of the game. Pruitt also assisted on that finish to make it a 2-0 game.
Finally, in the 78th minute, the Trojans put together a nice combination, as Sydney Sladekdribbled right at the near post and shoveled it off to a waiting Andrews three yards from the goal to finish off the brace. Nicole Molen also added an assist as she started the play for the Trojans.
Prudhomme made some outstanding saves for the Trojans, finishing with three total. She also neutralized 10 Cardinal corner kicks in the match.
The three goals given up by the Cardinal was the most given up by the program since 2005.
