Espinoza Scores, Beavers Drop to Trojans 2-1
September 26, 2015 | Women's Soccer
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Junior Greta Espinoza scored the first goal of her Beaver career, but the Oregon State women's soccer team could not overcome an early deficit, as it fell to USC 2-1 Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, Calif.
Espinoza's goal came in the 85th minute, when she headed home a free kick served into the box by sophomore Emma Jones.
Saturday's contest ends a run of six consecutive road games for Oregon State (4-2-3, 0-1-0 Pac-12), which will return home for a pair of games next weekend.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bella Geist made a big save early in the match, diving to her left in the eighth minute to keep the ball out of the net.
Freshman Jenna-Lee Baxter created a chance for the Beavers in the 35th minute, when she fired a shot from distance, but the effort was just wide.
Geist came up with another big play in the in the 42nd minute, as the Milwaukee, Ore. native made a great reaction save to keep the score level. The Trojans (6-3-1, 1-0-0) would break through two minutes later, however, scoring on a header to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The Beavers looked like they might test the goalkeeper early in the second half, when senior Helene Haavik served a set-piece into the box. Oregon State was unable to get on the end of the cross, though, and USC continued to hold its one-goal lead.
The Trojans would double their advantage just before the hour mark when Nicole Molen headed the ball into the net from point-blank range to put USC up 2-0.
The Beavers pushed forward late in the second half, as they looked to make up the deficit. Haavik looked like she might be able to create a chance in the 78th minute, but her effort was blocked.
Espinoza's 85th minute tally placed some pressure on the Trojans as the Beavers continued to threaten, but Oregon State could not complete the comeback as USC took the 2-1 victory.
Oregon State will return home Friday for the first time in over a month, when they host Utah at Paul Lorenz Field.
