In yet another classic USC Futbol finish filled with head scratching moments of agony, the Women of Troy needed extra soccer to decide their final home game of the season. Matters changed this time around, defeating Oregon State 2-1 in double overtime bucking a staggering trend filled on the wrong side of one-goal finishes.
After firing 42 shots in the first 119 minutes, the Trojans could only muster one goal leading to its sixth overtime that just seemed like USC was once again prime to knock on the door but not deliver in the closing moments.
That was until sophomore Jamie Fink, who coach Ali Khosroshahin called the player of the weekend, delivered a strike into the box forcing a hand ball granting USC its second penalty kick of the afternoon.
Then with a packed house anxiously awaiting every passing moment of agony, Fink delivered when it mattered most scoring the game winning goal with 17 seconds left giving USC back-to-back home victories to close the year.
The rather one-sided affair in terms of shots of possession, actually favored Oregon State right from the opening kick as the Beavers rushed right down the middle of the field on its first touch with a goal from Jenna Richardson just 43 seconds into the match.
These Women of Troy are used to playing with their backs against the wall and playing behind its passionate crowd on Senior Day and Trojan Youth Soccer Day really brought an added source of motivation towards the comeback efforts.
Case in point, counting this recent victory over Oregon State, USC has now decided 10 of its last 11 matches by one goal with eight of their nine losses coming this season in ever-so close fashion.
Leading that comeback charge was senior Elizabeth Eddy, who personally took it upon herself to resurrect the teams chances nine minutes later by tying the game on a slick penalty kick. Her five shot effort was just a sliver of the 43-shot barrage coming forth from the inspired Women of Troy playing for their six seniors.
Jordan Marada (Mission Viejo, CA)
Marada played her first season at USC in her junior year after being a two-time All-WCC First Team honoree at St. Mary's. She is a psychology major who enjoys photography, baking and going to the beach. In this her final season, Marada has accounted for 12 points and eight shots on goal.
Autumn Altamirano (Tustin, CA)
Autumn Altamirano, the two-year team captain, played a pivotal role in the Trojans defensive efforts this season. The 2012 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention was not too shabby in the classroom either, majoring in psychology with aspirations of working in criminal profiling after graduation.
Elizabeth Eddy (Newport Beach, CA)
Elizabeth Eddy certainly has the thickest Trojan blood on the team, and her dual-sport contributions certainly speak to her love of USC Athletics. The Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention last season, Eddy leads the squad with six goals racking in Pac-12 Player of the Week Honors in the opening week of the season.
Mia Bruno (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Battling injuries for most of her career, Bruno was fortunately able to play in 12 games this season for the Women of Troy, firing up one shot from her defensive position. Bruno was named a 2008 and 2009 NSCAA All-American out of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Palos Verdes, California as a local product of the system
Haley Boysen (Moorpark, CA)
Among the common themes on this team, Haley Boysen was named Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention last year and has played significant minutes at midfield this season. Haley has accumulated 16 shots to this point on the season and remains a spark plug off the bench for this team.
Allie Harrison (Laguna Hills, CA)
Allie has been unable to suit up this season due to injury, but the creative writing major has been a fixture at games and practices throughout her four-year career. Harrison started three games her freshman year on defense, compiling three goals in her career.
Back To The Match
Sunday's festivities were momentous for the Trojan Youth Soccer Program as well, receiving generous donations from fans and players in attendance who gave back used sports equipment for this next generation of athletes.
Hundreds of young soccer players lined the corners of McAlister Field taking in all the action with large smiles and loud cheers, while also getting the chance to take photos with the players right after the game. They were certainly in for a thriller as USC battled in front of the Oregon State net for most of the match.
Shots were fired left and right from the would-be Trojan strikers, forcing Beavers goalkeeper Sammy Prudhomme to record a career-high 15 saves in a rather spectacular effort between the crossbars.
If shots firing off the post around the corners or off the keepers gloves were not tough enough to swallow, the Women of Troy drew four yellow cards for some opportune chances even firing 12 unsuccessful corner kicks on offense.
Next up for the Women of Troy are the rival UCLA Bruins, whom they defeated in overtime last season in similar season-ending fashion. Emotions should be high for this one with UCLA looking like an NCAA title contender and USC out to nip the heels of their cross-town rival.