Oct. 22, 2004

Box Score

LOS ANGELES - No. 15 California couldn't sustain its comeback effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to USC Friday afternoon at McAlister Field. The Golden Bears fell to 8-4-2 (1-2-1 Pac-10), while the Women of Troy snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-5-1 (3-2).

This was the fourth time in the last six meetings between the two schools that the game has been decided in overtime.

USC defender Jocelyn Leche slid the game-winning shot from 25 yards out past Cal goalkeeper Anna Key with 29 seconds remaining in the first overtime period. Leche received the ball off a deflected header from a Cal defender.

Midfielder Ashley Casas gave USC a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 21st minute. Cal freshman forward Caroline Lea tied the match in the 41st minute with her first collegiate goal, tucking a shot underneath goalkeeper Julie Peterson off Katie Ratican's fourth assist of 2004.

Peterson recorded six saves for the Women of Troy in her first start in over a month (Sept. 12 vs. Tennessee), while Key secured four saves. Prior to today's game, Key hadn't allowed a goal this season in 403 minutes in the net.

Cal midfielder Laurie Gartrell nearly broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 88th minute with a shot heading for the upper-right corner of the net, but Peterson came up with the save.

Cal outshot USC, 14-10, but the Women of Troy held a 4-1 advantage in the overtime period.

The Bears look to bounce back on Sunday at No. 6 UCLA. Game time is at noon at Drake Stadium.

Women's Soccer Result
California	1	0	0	--	1
USC		1	0	1	--	2

Scoring Summary
USC	Casas (Parker)	20:04
Cal	Lea (Ratican)	40:06
USC	Leche		99:31

Shots: Cal 14 (Cabello 3), USC 10 (Tantillo 4).
Shots on Goal:  Cal 7 (Cabello 3), USC 6 (Cross 2).
Saves: Cal 4 (Key 4), USC 6 (Peterson 6).
CK: Cal 5, USC 4.
Fouls: Cal 17, USC 12.
Offsides: Cal 0, USC 1.
Yellow Cards:  Cal (Relja 89:34), USC none.
Red Cards:  None.
Records:  Cal 8-4-2 (1-2-1 Pac-10), USC 9-5-1 (3-2 Pac-10).
Attendance: 250.