Samuel Reno

USC Annenberg Capstone • 6th May 2024

Impossible to Ignore: How Savannah DeMelo reached the pinacle of soccer by just being herself

LOS ANGELES – A caramel iced latte with caramel drizzle from Starbucks.

McAlister Field.

The No. 10.

Less than three years ago, they were facts of life for Savannah DeMelo, captaining the USC Women’s Soccer team in her final season in Los Angeles.

TheStriker.com • 26th March 2023

Bouanga makes unexpected appearance to nudge LAFC past FC Dallas

LOS ANGELES – On a night when LAFC nearly quadrupled up FC Dallas on xG, 2.15-0.58, it took just 0.03 of that off Denis Bouanga's right foot to push the hosts over the finish line.

The underlying numbers suggest dominance. The smattering of VAR decisions, a missed penalty, one goal from an impossible angle, and the heart rates of the 3252 reflected a messier affair — but thanks to Dénis Bouanga's surprise cameo, LAFC overcame FC Dallas 2-1 to continue its strong early-season start.

27th September 2022

Lakers Supporting Cast Eager To Assist

As Reaves was gearing up to fight for a roster spot, Patrick Beverley was ready to help a young Minnesota Timberwolves team to the playoffs. It’s a feat the veteran guard has accomplished in each of his nine healthy seasons in the league, and he’s looking to bring that winning effort to this Lakers team.

His message since arriving earlier this month has been consistent: do whatever it takes on either end of the floor to do just that. Beverley even added, “It might be me getting kicked out of a

Annenberg Media • 20th November 2022

Trojans silence Bruins in top-20 rivalry showdown

For UCLA redshirt senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, it started with a promise of 60 points, sideline taunts and post-play shoulder checks. Then came the turnovers — four of them — the last of which ensured the Victory Bell will be receiving a new, cardinal coat of paint.

No. 7 USC came from behind to top No. 16 UCLA 48-45 Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Trailing by as many as 14 points, the Trojans found the end zone on four of their final five drives to take the

TheStriker.com • 27th December 2022

What did she say? Analyzing Angel City's season through Freya Coombe's go-to phrases

22,000 at the Banc on opening night, and three more times thereafter. In playoff contention at the start of all 22 of its regular season contests. Women’s professional soccer in Los Angeles for the first time in 13 years.

So much about 2022 should and will be cemented as a success for Angel City FC. But 21 matches after the euphoria of Night 1 against North Carolina, they found themselves on the wrong side of the playoff line.

Richmond Kickers • 15th July 2022

Stuart Ritchie: Back On His Feet

A thousand miles and a thousand days later, it’s just the beginning for Stuart Ritchie

It had been 1,615 days since Stuart Ritchie left the United States at just 15 years old.

26 minutes had passed and the Kickers trailed South Georgia Tormenta FC by a goal at City Stadium.

Jonathan Bolanos collected a long ball from Leonardo Baima, held off a defender, and played in an onrushing Ritchie who met it with his right foot at the penalty spot.

Ritchie popped it over the diving Tormenta keeper at

USC Athletics • 10th May 2023

Claire Haas Does It All!

LOS ANGELES –grew up in Kildeer, Ill., playing point guard on the basketball team and the incredibly demanding central midfield spot on the soccer field. As a young athlete, she idolized Mia Hamm and wanted to play the sport "for the rest of her life.""They also put me at goalie," Haas said. "Because I was the only kid that wasn't afraid to get hit with the ball really hard. I just very much put my body on the line, probably a little too much."Haas was an Illinois All-State selection in three co

TheStriker.com • 14th January 2023

The Striker's 2023 NWSL mock draft

The 2023 NWSL Draft is back in person Thursday night, with teams preparing to select players from what's arguably the most talented draft class in league history. The Philadelphia Convention Center is the site, as 48 players across four rounds will hear their name called, officially stamping the beginning of their professional careers.

247Sports • 5th November 2022

No. 14 USC women's soccer shuts out No. 1 UCLA for first win in seven years over the Bruins

Seven years. That’s how long it had been since USC had won the Crosstown Showdown. Head coach Jane Alukonis was on the other side for four of those, and after the 2022 edition, she remains perfect.

No. 14 USC played spoiler to No. 1 UCLA’s Pac-12 title three-peat hopes Friday, topping the Bruins 2-0 at McAlister Field. It’s the Trojans’ first win over the No. 1 team in the nation since a 2019 victory against Florida State, and the results improves them to 4-0 on the season against ranked opposi

Annenberg Media • 3rd November 2022

Stoppage Time: It’s time for the Pac-12 to add a postseason tournament

At 5:38 p.m., San Diego State and Utah State – knotted at a goal apiece – began a decisive penalty shootout in a Mountain West Tournament quarterfinal contest.

25 minutes and 44 penalty kicks later, junior goalkeeper Alexa Madueno came up with the match and shootout-winning save for the Aztecs at 6:03 p.m.

Yup… 44 penalty kicks – 37 of which found the back of the net.

That Mountain West showdown was just one of 10 different games across the country on Sunday decided on penalty kicks, and anot

8th September 2022

Coach Ham Discusses Westbrook and Beverley Backcourt

Also in attendance was Russell Westbrook. The pair’s history speaks for itself – neither shying away from a provocation from the other – but Ham and Beverley expressed, in specifics, an optimism for their union.

“I wouldn’t want to be in the backcourt and having to deal with these two guys,” Ham said, “So it’s going to be a lovely experience.”

“I was asked this question two, three years ago,” Beverley said, “About someone I’ve always wanted to play with. And [Westbrook] was the first name.”

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Annenberg Media • 19th November 2021

Facial hair and fullbacks: Why Keidane McAlpine’s shaving tradition, and his team, have a new look for this postseason run

Dec. 4, 2016. Avaya Stadium. San Jose, Calif. USC defeats West Virginia 3-1 to claim its second NCAA National Championship.

That Trojan team was led by head coach Keidane McAlpine, in his third season with the program, and his thin yet noticeable gray beard.

The playoff beard — it’s the intersection of competition and superstition. McAlpine says he’s done it every year, delaying that elusive shave until his team is ultimately eliminated.

Senior midfielder Savannah DeMelo describes the Pac-12