Oregon State
USC
Beavers Earn Hard Fought 1-1 Tie with Trojans after Double Overtime
October 05, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2012
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
110 minutes not enough to settle physical match between two conference foes
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Backed by goalie Sammy Jo Prudhomme's eight saves, the Oregon State women's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with USC Friday at Lorenz Field. The Beavers and Trojans combined for a total of 46 shots during the 110 minute marathon, but two overtimes were not enough as the match resulted in OSU's first tie of the season. Oregon State now stands at 9-3-1 and 1-2-1 in Pac-12 play, while Southern Cal moves to 4-5-3 and 1-1-2 within the conference.
The match began with both teams trading shots in the first half. A total of 19 would bounce off the feet of OSU and USC players, with a half dozen belonging to the Beavers and a baker's dozen claimed by the Trojans. Southern Cal had its best scoring chance of the first half when in the 29th minute midfielder Jordan Marada sent a shot streaking toward the goal, but luckily for Prudhomme the ball went off the crossbar. The freshman goalie would make five saves during the contest's first 45 minutes, while OSU strikers sent a pair of shots toward Trojan keeper Caroline Stanley's way.
Both teams entered the half knotted in a scoreless tie and it would remain that way well into the second half. In the 71st minute USC midfielder Jamie Fink took a shot at about 18-yards out from the top left corner of the box. That sent the ball hurling toward the top right corner of the goal, past a diving Prudhomme, which put USC up 1-0.
Just four minutes later it was Oregon State's turn to answer, but it did so on the most unconventional of ways as Southern Cal ended up scoring on its own goal. After a Jenna Richardson blocked shot earlier in the possession, a cross to senior midfielder Megan Miller ended up hovering in the air over a number of OSU strikers and USC defenders. The ball ended up landing on a Trojan's foot and scooted into the goal past a diving Stanley. The USC miscue tied the match up at one a piece and suddenly the Beavers had new life.
That new found momentum would carry Oregon State past the 90 minute mark into the first overtime, where both teams would each have a scoring opportunity. Southern Cal's came just 25 seconds into the extra frame, when forward Whitney Pitalo fired one toward Prudhomme, who stopped it and saved the game for the Beavers. Oregon State had its chance in the 96th minute when Miller made one of her six shots on the day, but it was Stanley who came up with the clutch save.
The second overtime proved to be much like the first, with each squad failing to put the ball into the net. OSU did have a last second chance as midfielder Erin Uchacz had the ball in front of the goal off of a free-kick by Miller, but the ball was kicked away by a USC defender just as the horn was sounding.
Leading the way in the shot department for Oregon State was junior forward Jenna Richardson who fired off seven total, while Miller was not too far behind with her half dozen looks at the goal. Miller and Richardson each had three shots on goal, while Prudhomme's eight saves now gives her 51 on the season, more than halfway to the freshman program record.
Oregon State will now have a day to rest and recover from their match with USC as they welcome in the third ranked team in the nation on Sunday to Lorenz Field. UCLA and OSU square off at 12 p.m., with coverage of the contest to be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.
Following the match between the Bruins and Beavers, OSU players will sign autographs for fans in attendance. Those seeking signatures will need to go behind the grand stands at Paul Lorenz Field immediately following the match, where players will be sitting at tables and handing out autographs.
POST MATCH QUOTES
Head Coach Linus Rhode
On neither team being able to score in overtime…
“I think it was just a little bit of composure in front of the goal for both teams because we got the ball in some really dangerous situations and I think that would have been the difference in this game.”
On his team's play…
“The way were played today was definitely a positive. I could not be prouder of the effort that they put in and their fight. We just need to make smarter choices in that final third.”
On being prepared for UCLA on Sunday…
“I think we are the readiest we have been all year for the number three team in the nation, so right now all we need to do is take care of ourselves and get ready for that match.”
Senior midfielder Jacy Drobney
On her team's play…
“I think honestly this is the best we have played all season. We played as a team and we were supporting each other. We were so close to a goal but I am proud of the team and how we played.”
On the tie…
“We had more chances in the first and second half that we should have put away. I think it was unfortunate that we tied but I still think we played hard.”
Senior midfielder Megan Miller
On tying for the first time this season…
“It's a little bitter for me because I hate tying just as much as I hate losing, but I think through all the adversity we played through today, we stuck together as a group, so for today I will take the tie.”
On the goal USC put in its own net…
“Since I am left footed I knew I was going to cut it back from my left from the get go. I was just waiting until she (the USC defender) bit, so I cut it back to my left and I just bent it back post. If it went in… it went in and if someone got a knick on it they did. Someone did so I'll take it.”
On her reaction to the goal…
“I was relieved because I hate being down and I know we can come back. I am just glad I could help out the team and get us back in the right direction for today.”
POST MATCH NOTES
--Friday marked the first time all season goalie Sammy Jo Prudhomme started two straight matches
--Prudomme's eight saves gives her 51 for the season, putting her 40 away from setting a new record for OSU freshman goal keepers in a season… Mellissa Onstad had 90 in 2003.
--This was the first time OSU tied an opponent during the regular season since its 1-1 draw with Oregon on Nov. 4, 2011 in Eugene.
--Friday marked the first tie Lorenz Field had seen in a regular season contest since a 2-2 result with San Diego State on Sept. 19, 2010.
--Oregon State extended its unbeaten streak against USC to four dating back to the 2009 season… The Beavers had beaten Southern Cal three straight times entering play Friday.
--OSU has now played in two double-overtime matches this season, with one ending up in a 1-0 victory and Friday's in 1-1 tie.
--The Beavers are now 2-2-1 when the play on the Pac-12 Networks having win their first two before last weekend's two losses on the road.
Support Oregon State University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. For more information follow this Varsity O Facebook Page for upcoming Alumni events.
Follow Oregon State Athletics On Pac-12 Networks.
