No. 24 USC Women’s Soccer Draws 2-2 With Minnesota

CARSON, Calif. – The No. 24 USC women’s soccer team played to a 2-2 draw with Minnesota on Thursday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in the team’s first home game of the season.
 
The Trojans move to 7-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 in Big Ten play. Minnesota moves to 8-1-2, 2-1-1.
 
Maile Hayes put the Trojans ahead just 45 seconds into the game, with Kayla Colbert and Helena Sampaio combining on the assist to set up the early strike. It would be Colbert in the 23^rd minute that doubled the Trojan advantage, stealing the ball and scoring her fourth goal of the year.
 
USC held Minnesota scoreless through the first half, but the Golden Gophers struck in the 64^th minute, with Khyah Harper scoring the first goal against the Trojans in Big Ten play. The equalizer came in the 80^th minute when Paige Kalal sent a free kick into the box and Sophia Boman headed it home.
 
SCORING
1′ – USC: Maile Hayes (assisted by Helena Sampaio, Kayla Colbert) – Colbert sent a pass to Sampaio near the top of the area and Sampaio spun and slid a back heel pass to Hayes, who smashed it in off the bottom of the crossbar.
 
23′ – USC: Kayla Colbert (unassisted) – Colbert stole the ball from a defender, carried it into the area and shot inside the near right post.
 
64′ – MINN: Khyah Harper (assisted by Caroline Birdsell) – Birdsell slid a through ball ahead and Harper ran onto it and beat the USC keeper one-on-one.
 
80′ – MINN: Sophia Boman (assisted by Paige…