Utes Drop Heartbreaker at No. 4 USC in Overtime, 2-1

Thursday, October 10

Los Angeles, Calif.

4:00 PM

University of Utah

6-4-3, 1-1-2

USC

10-1-1, 3-1-0

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Utah	0	1	0	1
USC	0	1	1	2

Utes Drop Heartbreaker at No. 4 USC in Overtime, 2-1

10/10/2019 6:43 PM | Soccer

Box Score USC 2 Utah 1

California native Rushlow scores in 88th minute but Trojans escape

LOS ANGELES – Utah Soccer suffered its first loss in Pac-12 play with a 2-1 overtime setback at No. 4 USC

"I was pleased with the way we battled today," head coach Rich Manning said. "Once we got going and gained confidence, we played with a strong attacking mentality. It was good to see us be aggressive in the second half."

Alexis Rushlow, a native of Glendora, Calif., brought the Utes level in the 88^th minute with assists attributed to Hailey Stodden and Kristin Fairbairn. The cross came in from the near right side of the field and a slight touch directed it to an oncoming Rushlow who knocked it home.

It was Rushlow's second goal, Stodden's team-leading third assist and Fairbairn's first point of the season. In fact, the goal was the first ever scored by Utah at USC in its sixth trip to McAlister Field.

"My adrenaline went through the roof and it was even sweeter because my whole family was here," Rushlow said. "I think this proves we can compete with any team. We are going to come out and play our game. I was so proud of the team's effort. Everyone put their heart into it and we need to do that every game for the rest of the season."

USC created a slew of chances in the first half, nine in total, but only two tries worried goalkeeper Carly Nelson. At the other end, Jessica Hixson and Kaitlyn Conley had Utah's best looks at an equalizer.

"I was really proud of our back line because they made a lot of plays to keep us in it. USC has a pair of attacking players that suited up for the United States at the U20 World Cup so we knew it was going to be a challenge. Once again, we played a lot of people, 19 of the 22 that traveled. It was a solid team performance and we can build on it looking forward to Sunday."

At the start of the second half, Stodden had an opportunity at the opener and Utah's best chance may have come in the 57^th minute. Rushlow and Courtney Talbot had efforts at goal and appeals for a handball off a corner were to no avail.

Holly Daugirda, Utah's top goal scorer, created her best chance in the 73^rd minute and USC broke the deadlock two minutes later through Tara McKeown's one-touch to herself and volley from right in front of the net

Rushlow's goal set up a familiar scene for these two teams as it marked the fourth time in the last five meetings that they had gone to overtime

Nelson finished with six saves but even a diving try could not stop McKeown's free-kick in the 100^th minute. The junior's second of the game and 11^th of the season turned out to be the winner for the Trojans.

The Utes remain in Los Angeles and play at No. 22 UCLA on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT