NCAA Soccer's Wild Thursday, #1 and #2 Fall
The USC Trojans had never defeated a No. 1 ranked team before Thursday, but behind a two goal effort from senior midfielder Morgan Andrews and Goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme's seventh shutout of the season, USC earned it's first win over a No.1 Ranked team.
The Trojans jumped out to a 1-0 lead when in the 28th minute, Andrews connected on a shot from just inside the left corner and buried it upper 90 just out of the reach of the Cardinals keeper, Alison Jahansouz. USC kept Stanford off the scoreboard in the first half and held a 7-2 shot advantage over the Cardinals as well.
In the second half Alex Anthony took a look up field to see Jahansouz off of her line and from 40 yards out lofted one over the Cardinals keeper to double the lead, 2-0. Although Stanford picked up their offensive attack, USC answered the call defensively.
In the 75th Stanford had a great chance in the box, but Prudhomme punched away the opportunity then the defense cleared the corner to set up a counter. Prudhomme made several huge saves late to keep Stanford off the sheet. Finally in the 78th, Andrews converted on a one timer in front of the net set up by Sydney Sladek to make it 3-0.
USC set a new school record with 10 straight victories after starting 0-2-0. This is the first loss of the season for Stanford.
Boston College Upsets #2 Florida State
Unranked Boston College welcomed No. 2 Florida State Thursday night in a ACC showdown in Boston, Ma. The Eagles receiving votes in both polls had started the season 8-0-1 in non-conference play before dropping three of four to start ACC play.
BC took advantage early on, in the 15th minute Lauren Berman took advantage of a bad pass towards Florida State keeper Cassie Miller and with one touch the Eagles were ahead 1-0. Just 10 minutes later, FSU would respond when Kristen McFarland drew the BC defense away from goal and found Dallas Dorosy for the equalizer in the 25th minute.
Both teams would exchange positioning throughout the remainder of the half but neither team could break through for a lead. At the Half the Eagles held a 7-5 shot advantage over the Seminoles.
Six minutes into the second half, Hayley Dowd found herself with a loose ball on the Florida State side and drove towards goal. Dowd held off her defender and sent a laser past Miller to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. This was the first second half goal allowed by FSU since November 8, 2015.
The Seminoles generated a few good chances following the BC goal but none could equalize the match. BC keeper, Alexis Bryant made two huge saves in the last 20 minutes to keep FSU off of the scoreboard in the second half.
The win was the first for Boston College against Florida State since 2012 and marked the first time the Seminoles had allowed more than one goal in a game this season.
