The No. 5 Colorado Buffaloes traveled to Los Angeles, Calif. for a Friday evening matchup with the No. 9 USC Trojans. Despite leading 5-4 at halftime, the Buffs failed to score in a half for the first time this season, as Southern Cal’s seven unanswered goals in the second half propelled the Trojans to hand CU their second loss of the season in a 11-5 upset.
USC’s Cynthia Del Core drew first blood for the Trojans, with her goal at the 24:09 mark in the first half opening up scoring in the matchup.
Junior attacker Darby Kiernan evened things up for the Buffs about three minutes later. Her 36th goal of the season was unassisted. Senior attacker Johnna Fusco netted one 1:32 later, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead.
USC tied the game with just over 17 minutes left before halftime, but two back to back goals by the Buffs, the first from junior defender Kelsie Garrison and the next by Kiernan, gave Colorado a 4-2 lead with about nine minutes left in the half. The Trojans managed two more goals, but a nice goal from sophomore midfielder Miranda Stinson gave CU a 5-4 advantage heading into halftime.
Stinson’s goal would be the last positive note for Colorado. The Buffaloes managed just six shots in the final 30 minutes, as USC continued to score goals and pull away.
Four goals by the Trojans in the final nine minutes eliminated all hope of a comeback by the Buffs.
Fusco led the team with seven shots and Kiernan’s two points, which were both goals, were a team-best. The final score seemed almost misleading, as the Buffs and Trojans were neck and neck in the clears department, with CU going 16-of-18 in the game while Southern Cal was 19-of-21.
The Buffs managed 14 turnovers of the Trojans, while committing just 12 themselves. In the end, a lack of offensive pressure and the team’s inability to pressure USC goalie Gussie Johns led to the Buffs’ downfall.
The 12-2 Buffaloes will stay on the road and take on San Diego State at 1 p.m. MST this Sunday, April 16.
Contact CU Independent Head Sports Editor Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo.
