Huskers Grab Road Win at USC

The Nebraska soccer team scored the most goals since its season opener and defeated the USC Trojans, 3-2, on Thursday night in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Huskers moved to 8-3-5 on the season with a 3-3-3 mark in Big Ten play, while USC fell to 7-6-1 (4-5-0 Big Ten). NU's three goals were the most it has scored since a 6-0 rout of Southern Indiana in the season-opening match.

Ella Rudney, Mila Brach and Kayma Carpenter each logged a goal for NU, while Rudney, Carpenter, Sadie Waite and Reagan Raabe notched an assist apiece. 

USC took 14 shots to Nebraska’s 12 and the Trojans had nine shots on target while NU had six. However, Cece Villa (7-3-5) posted seven saves in the net while the USC goalkeeper only had three.

The Big Red struck first, as Waite took advantage of a bad pass by the Trojans and Rudney finished off the score in the 23rd minute. USC tied it at 1-1 with just over five minutes to play in the half.

NU remained aggressive and took the 2-1 lead back in the 44th minute, when Brach grabbed her first career goal on an assist by Carpenter. 

The Husker offense put the pressure on in the first half, taking nine shots and four on goal, while the Big Red defense only allowed three total shots by the Trojans. NU also took advantage of five offside calls on USC in the half.

Nebraska’s offense continued to control the game after the break and Carpenter scored her first goal since NU’s game against Kansas State to extend the advantage to 3-1. Raabe and Rudney added assists on the play.

The Trojans brought the score back to within one at 3-2 on a score in the 58th minute, but it wasn’t enough and the Huskers claimed the road victory.

The Big Red will stay in Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins on Sunday, Oct. 19. The match is set to start at 3 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+.