COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - The USC women's soccer team capped off its history-making season with one last huge feat - the NCAA Championship. The second-seeded Women of Troy tacked up their fifth shutout of the NCAA Tournament - an accomplishment never before achieved - with a 2-0 decision over third-seeded Florida State in the NCAA title match on Sunday afternoon at Aggie Soccer Complex in College Station, Texas.
The 2007 National Champs end their powerful year with a 20-3-2 overall record after breaking yet another program record with the Trojans' 15th shutout of the season. Head coach Ali Khosroshahin becomes the first coach in NCAA history to lead his team to the NCAA championship in his first season with his program.
Scoring for the Trojans in the match were Marihelen Tomer in the first half, and Janessa Currier in the second half. For their impressive efforts in the Trojans' record-breaking postseason push, five Trojans were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Junior forward Amy Rodriguez was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, having scored three goals during the tourney including her first career two-goal game during USC's 2-1 win over UCLA in the semifinals. Sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Olsen earned accolades as the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. She had a career-high eight saves in the semi against the Bruin, and helped secure yet another shutout for the Trojans in the championship game. Also named to the All-Tournament Team were sophomore midfielder Marihelen Tomer, freshman defender Kasey Johnson and junior defender Janessa Currier.
In the championship match, USC got back to its solid possession game, controlling the game while the Trojan defense turned away any and all Seminole attacks. When freshman midfielder Ashli Sandoval went down with an injury, the Trojans played a man down for almost six minutes. Florida State pushed back, but Olsen and the Trojan back line were stingy in turning away the Seminole opportunities. Sandoval came back on and evened things up in the 19th minute, and USC was able to get back to business. In the 25th minute of action, junior defender Stacey Strong sent a long ball up into the box, forcing FSU goalkeeper Erin McNulty to make a play on the ball. She knocked the ball off the crossbar, and Marihelen Tomer was there for the rebound, driving a header to the back of the net to lift the Trojans ahead 1-0.
With 16 minutes left in the first half, Kristin Olsen squelched a dangerous FSU strike, diving on a ball before the Seminole forward was able to get a foot on a shot. The rest of the half passed scoreless, and the Women of Troy found a way to become even more powerful in the second half.
The Trojans were effective in controlling the ball throughout the second half. Thanks to a strong midfield effort from Ashli Sandoval and Ashley Nick, and effort on the wings from Alyssa Davila and Tomer, USC manufactured several good looks on the FSU goal. With just 15 minutes left, USC broke through again. Wide on the left sideline, Megan Ohai lined up for a flip throw on goal. Kasey Johnson aimed for a header, but it was deflected out by a defender for a USC corner kick. Sandoval took the ball on the left corner, sending a ball into the box. Janessa Currier got a head on it, and the shot was saved but loose. Currier was right in position for the rebound, drilling a shot that pushed the Trojans ahead 2-0. Florida State was able to earn a series of corner kicks in the final minutes, but each try was turned away by the USC back line.
As time drained, the Trojans saw their 20th win and their first-ever national championship finally coming into focus. The bench cleared, and the celebration of the university's 107th national championship began. USC now has won 21 women's national team championships and 106 men's titles.
USC 2, Florida State 0
USC 1 - 1 -- 2
FSU 0 - 0 -- 0
SCORING:
24:45 - USC: Marihelen Tomer (unassisted)
75:02 - USC: Janessa Currier (unassisted)
SAVES: Kristin Olsen (USC) 2, Erin McNulty (FSU) 4.
SHOTS: USC 18, FSU 11
CORNER KICKS: USC 7, FSU 11
BEST OF THE BEST:
- Program records: 20 wins, 15 shutouts, 13 goals allowed
- Ali Khosroshahin becomes the first first-year coach to lead his team to the NCAA title.
- First team to post five shutouts in NCAA Tournament play.
- First Pac-10 team to win an NCAA soccer title
- USC is the first school in NCAA history to have soccer and water polo reach the NCAA championship, volleyball reach the NCAA Semifinals, and football play in a BCS bowl game in the same calendar year.
