Sampaio’s free kick in the final minute gives No. 9 USC a 2-1 win over No. 16 Penn State

CARSON, California. – The No. 9 USC women’s soccer team earned a thrilling 2-1 win over No. 16 Penn State on Sunday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park, scoring a stunning free kick goal Helena Sampaio in the 90th^Th minute to stay atop the Big Ten standings.

The win sets up a Big Ten title matchup next Sunday with No. 10 UCLA. USC is 13-1-2 overall and 9-0-1 in Big Ten play, with the Trojans taking 28 points and a two-point lead over UCLA in the standings into next week’s regular-season finale. A tie would also secure a conference title for the Trojans. Penn State drops to 11-4-3, 5-3-2 with the loss.

Aaliyah Farmer was the first-half hero for USC, putting the Trojans on top by scoring her own rebound in the 23rd minute^approx Minute. USC’s early advantage lasted into the ’88^Th minute when the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty and converted the free kick.

Less than two minutes later, Sampaio was fouled about seven meters outside the penalty area and set up a free kick from about 25 meters away. With the clock stopped, the Brazilian midfielder took the free kick and placed the shot perfectly in the top left corner for the game-winning goal. It was Sampaio’s third goal of the season, along with her team-leading five assists.

After the restart, the Trojan defense held Penn State back for the final 24 seconds before the USC bench was able to storm the field and celebrate the victory.

The Trojans defeated Penn State 15-8 on the day, holding the visitors to just two shots in the second half. Laurence Gladu made four big saves, including stopping two shots from close range and another that she tipped over the crossbar in the first half.

USC’s only tie in conference play came on September 26 against Minnesota. Since then, the Trojans have won six straight, including wins over two ranked opponents this week (No. 15 Ohio State on Thursday). USC’s only loss this year came on the road at then-No. 1 Stanford on September 8th. The Trojans’ nine conference wins match a program record set in 2015.

VALUES

23′ – USC: Aaliyah Farmer (without outside help) – BK Harris sent a long pass into the box that Farmer headed toward goal, but the Penn State keeper was there to make the save, but Farmer pounced on the rebound and shot it into the goal.

88′ – PSU: Rowan Lapi (PK) – Kaitlyn MacBean was brought down near the edge of the box to score the penalty and Lapi converted into the right post.

90′ – USC: Helena Sampaio (unassisted) – Sampaio was fouled near the top right side of the penalty area and scored on the free kick, placing the ball in the top left corner from 25 yards out.

NEXT

The Trojans close out the regular season next weekend on Sunday (Oct. 27) against No. 10 UCLA at 12 p.m. This game will decide the regular season Big Ten Conference Championship, with USC needing a win or tie and UCLA needing a win. Sunday’s game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.