Ponce gives Arizona soccer overtime win over USC

Ponce gives Arizona soccer overtime win over USC

Published Oct. 19, 2013 2:00 a.m. ET

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Arizona women’s soccer team pulled out a 3-2 win over USC, 3-2 on Friday night thanks to an overtime goal from Jazmin Ponce.  

Sophomore Kaitlyn Lopez recorded the first goal for Arizona (7-5-3) in the 75th minute to put the Wildcats up 1-0, and Ponce scored two minutes later on a penalty kick for her ninth goal of the season.

USC (6-7-2) sophomore Marlee Carrillo scored both goals for the Trojans in the remaining eight minutes of the match to send the game into overtime.

But Ponce put USC away, scoring five minutes into the first overtime period on a free kick just outside the Trojans' box.

“I am really excited for our team,” coach Tony Amato said. “We were presented a great opportunity to play a quality team in the Coliseum and really took advantage of it. We showed great mental toughness after USC canceled our lead in the final 10 minutes and continued to work. Our players found a way to win the match, and that will be important for us going forward.”

Arizona goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman recorded five saves on the 23 shots she faced.

The 3-2 victory over the Trojans was the first series win for the Wildcats since 2004, when they went on to win the Pac-10 championship. 

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