No. 7 USC 1, No. 16 Auburn 0 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 Los Angeles, Calif. – McAlister Field USC POSTGAME QUOTES USC Head Coach Keidane McAlpine Opening Statement… “First and foremost I need to give a lot of credit to Auburn. Congratulations on an unbelievable season. Having spent a lot of time there personally, today is bittersweet. A lot of joy and a lot of sadness all at the same time. I think Thanksgiving is the perfect time to have this game, because for me I had family on both sides and Thanksgiving is definitely about family. I am super proud of the Trojan Family and the work we did today. Unbelievable game. It was a gritty performance and exactly what we needed.” On how to you prepare to play a team you’ve already faced earlier in the season… “First of all, I thought the game was physical. It was one of those games where both teams wanted to win really badly. I didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary in a game of this magnitude. If nothing else, it prepares us for the intensity of the next game. We do a lot of work in the offseason to take care of our bodies and in season we work on rehabbing, ice baths and it’s for games like this. To be able to grit through and push a little harder to get to the end of it and today we were able to do that.” “The scary part is this was part of the plan. It feels great and I think this group has come together over the years. In year one it was finding ourselves again. Year two was developing a style a way that we play and adding new pieces. In year three it was time to impose ourselves and its nice for them to reap the rewards of all the work that took a long time. We have to thank all the people who came along the journey along the way who aren’t necessary on the field with us anymore, but they are still a part of this.” RS Junior Forward Alex Anthony On today’s game and her game-winning goal… “We came in with a lot of intensity and it is something we have been trying to do. Today was probably one of our best starts in terms of the sheer want and willingness to do anything and everything in our power to get one early. On the goal, I saw Bingham get a touch forward down the line and I started to make my run near post. I put a head on it and it went in.” Senior Midfielder Morgan Andrews On today’s game… “For me and knowing our back line and knowing our team, it was always putting pressure on the other team and play our own game, not allowing them to play the game they want. It was putting Auburn on the inside, not allowing them to get around us.” On the physical nature of today’s game… “As a squad we are a tough squad. We like to keep possession, but at the same time, we are not afraid of making tackles. It was a great fight and I think Auburn did a great job, but we came out strong and fought to the end.” On making it to the College Cup… “Alex [Anthony] and I were saying right after the game that this is why we came to USC, to get into the Final Four and get to that final four and win it. I have always felt confident in this squad and knew I could be with this team in the national final and it’s special. As a senior, this was my last game playing on
McAlister Field and to come out with a win was great, but we are excited for the next game and will look forward.” AUBURN POSTGAME QUOTES Head Coach Karen Hoppa Opening Statement… “Obviously, first thing, congratulations to USC. They are a great team. Keidane [McAlpine] is obviously one of my best friends, so I am happy for him and they played a great game. I think like most sports, soccer is a game of inches and they caught a break early and we didn’t. It was a great soccer game. There were chances both ways, it was wide open and both teams played their games. I am really proud of my team. We created chances right to the end and we just could not get one to fall. I would like to say, our senior class, what an unbelievable career, not just this year, but the four years they’ve had here. They came in at a time when we were rebuilding and every year we have gotten better and they have taken us to new heights. They have set new standards for Auburn soccer. It is a career that those six have had and they have played a huge roll in our success.” On this special team… “For me I am just so happy for this group. Day in and day out they have just worked. They have done everything we’ve asked of them and more. I am really happy we were able to make history. For me it’s exciting because they have taken this program to a new level, but they also have set a new standard. We used to have goals to get to the round of 16 or round of eight, but now we will have expectations to do so. That is because of this team and the work that they have put in. I told them after we beat Florida last week, we just didn’t win it because of those 90 minutes, we beat it because every day they come to work and put in the work. That’s how they brought this program to new heights.” Senior Midfielder Casie Ramsier On her four year experience at Auburn… “It has been an amazing opportunity. The girls that I have gotten to become so close with over the last few years are incredible. You can never really be sure going into it as a freshman, but I couldn’t ask for a better experience. It has been an honor to put on this jersey and I don’t want to take it off now. I want to leave it on for a while. I am just thankful for what Auburn has done for me.” Senior Goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau On all the big saves she made today… “You just have to move past it and onto the next thing. I knew I had to find a way to keep my team in it and I did. I just wish I could have done a little more.”