WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Soccer fought a back and forth affair with their new conference foes the No. 25 USC Trojans, but ultimately could not overcome an early deficit to fall 1-0 on Thursday night at Folk Field.
The Boilermakers (5-3-1, 1-1-0 Big Ten) drop back to even in conference play after picking up a 2-0 win at Northwestern last week.
The Trojans opened the scoring early with a goal from forward Faith George in the fourth minute. A pair of first-time touches got behind the Boilermaker defense. From that point forward the game was end to end, with each team earning chances that forced good goalkeeping.
Purdue's sophomore goalie Emily Edwards made her presence felt on the next big chance from the Trojans. A curling effort from outside the box by USC's Maile Hayes was skillful turned away by the outstretched Edwards.
The Holly Springs, N.C., native had five saves on the night to keep the Boilermakers within striking distance in the contest. She has recorded five saves in each of the last three contest and has four clean sheets on the season.
Building off the momentum from Edwards, the Boilermakers got things going the other way with their best chance of the first half in the 25th minute. Abigail Roy showed good instincts to get on the end of a couple ricochets in the box and put the ball in the back of the net, but was ruled offside after a review.
Team captain Gracie Dunaway made a solo run to create the most promising opportunity of the second half for Purdue. A long run down the left saw her initially give the ball away deep in USC territory, but she put in a good effort to win the ball back and fired a low drive that was just saved by the Trojans' keeper.
The Boilermakers have a quick opportunity to bounce back into the win column against another of their new Big Ten compatriots when the UCLA Bruins come to Folk Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (5-3-1, 1-1-0 Big Ten) drop back to even in conference play after picking up a 2-0 win at Northwestern last week.
The Trojans opened the scoring early with a goal from forward Faith George in the fourth minute. A pair of first-time touches got behind the Boilermaker defense. From that point forward the game was end to end, with each team earning chances that forced good goalkeeping.
Purdue's sophomore goalie Emily Edwards made her presence felt on the next big chance from the Trojans. A curling effort from outside the box by USC's Maile Hayes was skillful turned away by the outstretched Edwards.
The Holly Springs, N.C., native had five saves on the night to keep the Boilermakers within striking distance in the contest. She has recorded five saves in each of the last three contest and has four clean sheets on the season.
You've got to see this fingertip save by Emily Edwards 👇#B1GWSoccer x @PurdueSoccer pic.twitter.com/mzBOWCrGRm
— Big Ten Soccer (@B1GSoccer) September 20, 2024
Building off the momentum from Edwards, the Boilermakers got things going the other way with their best chance of the first half in the 25th minute. Abigail Roy showed good instincts to get on the end of a couple ricochets in the box and put the ball in the back of the net, but was ruled offside after a review.
Team captain Gracie Dunaway made a solo run to create the most promising opportunity of the second half for Purdue. A long run down the left saw her initially give the ball away deep in USC territory, but she put in a good effort to win the ball back and fired a low drive that was just saved by the Trojans' keeper.
The Boilermakers have a quick opportunity to bounce back into the win column against another of their new Big Ten compatriots when the UCLA Bruins come to Folk Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.