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Women's Soccer

Smith Sinks USC

STANFORD, Calif. – Sophia Smith's golden goal in the 97th minute lifted No. 1 Stanford to a 1-0 overtime win against No. 2 USC on Sunday afternoon at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.

"I am really proud of the mentality of this team against a very strong USC team," said the Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe. "The fans really inspired us to this victory. It was an electric atmosphere and they definitely powered us forward when we needed it."

The Cardinal (10-0-1, 3-0-0 Pac-12) extends its program-record unbeaten streak to 33 games in front of a sellout crowd, the fourth in seven games – Stanford finished its seven-game homestand 6-0-1. It was Smith's fifth goal of the season and second in as many games, giving Stanford its fourth overtime victory in eight games.

"It was a big moment for Sophia but credit Madison Haley as well," added Ratcliffe. "Madison did so well to hold the ball up, and you love to see Sophia keep her composure in such a big moment."

In the seventh minute of overtime, Tegan McGrady played a long ball to Haley, who held it up and turned her defender with Smith surging forward. Haley played it into the path of Smith, who got enough on the ball to slip it past Kaylie Collins and earn Stanford three valuable points in the Pac-12 race.

Alison Jahansouz (8-0-1) finished with three saves to earn her fourth shutout of the season, keeping the Trojans (9-1-1, 2-1-0) at bay with several important interventions.
Stanford struggled to impose its will in the first half, finishing with zero shots on target for the first time this season. Jahansouz made a fine save to her left in the 12th minute, but neither team had a great opportunity to score before the break.

In the second half, Stanford turned up the pressure with 15 shots in the period. Catarina Macario had a dangerous chance in the 52nd minute and she forced a fantastic save by Collins in the 59th minute from outside the box. After another key save by Jahansouz in the 65th minute, Stanford nearly ended the game in regulation with chances from Alana Cook and Naomi Girma in the final minute.

The Cardinal needed less than seven minutes to secure the victory with Smith sending the sellout crowd packing in the first minute of overtime. Macario led the Cardinal with seven shots, Smith finished with four and Haley had three.

No. 1 Stanford returns to action when it travels to play Oregon on Thursday at 5 p.m. and Oregon State on Sunday at 3 p.m. Both games will air on Pac-12 Networks with live statistics available at GoStanford.com.
 
Cardinal Notes

  • The Cardinal's unbeaten streak, which dates to Aug. 25, 2017, is the eighth-longest in Division I history and longest since UCLA went 44 games unbeaten from 2013-14.
  • It was Smith's second game-winning goal in as many games after scoring Stanford's third of the match against UCLA on Thursday night.
  • Stanford's Pac-12 win streak reaches 21 games – the Cardinal has not lost in league play since Oct. 6, 2016.
  • Stanford's senior class owns a 34-1-1 record in Pac-12 play.