LOS ANGELES — USC dealt three-time NCAA finalist Boston College its worst defeat since 2017 on Friday, blowing out the Eagles 18-9 at McAlister Field. Emily Concialdi tied her career high with four goals, as the 10th-ranked Trojans defeated the 18th-ranked Eagles for the first time in program history.

For Boston College (2-2), it was the most lopsided loss since Feb. 11, 2017, when the Eagles fell to then No. 5 Syracuse 18-8. BC started the season by dropping its opener (against UMass) for the first time since 2008 and also had trouble putting away Vanderbilt in one of its two wins.

Meanwhile, USC (3-0) was playing its second straight game against a ranked opponent coming off a thrilling 10-8 win over No. 8 Michigan six days earlier. It was the Trojans’ first win against a top-10 opponent since 2017, and USC brought that momentum into Friday. 

The game was tied at 3 midway through the first half before the Trojans ran off six straight goals in a span of 3 minutes, 42 seconds to take a commanding 9-3 lead. 

USC coach Lindsey Munday believed the key to the Trojans’ successes was their preparation before the opening draw. 

“We know BC is a really strong team,” Munday said. “And so we had to battle [and] really compete every day in practice so that we were as prepared as possible.” 

USC eclipsed its season high in goals in the first half alone, amassing 11 before the break. Seven different players scored  in the first 30 minutes.

Munday emphasized the trust the players have for each other in an offense the returns 91 percent of its scoring from a year ago. 

“The attack really trusts one another,” Munday said. “[They did] not settle for a good shot but [waited] for a great one, and [I am] really proud of the way the attack did that today.” 

Prized transfer Charlotte North led Boston College with four goals, but against a stout USC defense, it took 13 shots to reach that total. North added nine draw controls in the losing cause. Jeen Medjid added three goals, her third straight game with a hat trick.

This interception and goal by Emily Concialdi broke a 3-3 tie, igniting a six-goal run for @USCTrojansLax. The Trojans downed Boston College 18-9 behind four goals from Concialdi. pic.twitter.com/ZfmyzyGQXX

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 22, 2020

Concialdi, a graduate student attacker, provided the spark for USC when she stole a pass from BC goalkeeper Rachel Hall and scored to ignite the decisive six-goal run.

“Getting a snag from the goalie really hyped me up,” Concialdi said. “From there, I just wanted to keep it rolling and it was a lot of fun. My teammates set me up for success.” 

The Trojans scored a season-high 18 goals despite facing Hall, who led all of women’s lacrosse in saves last season at Oregon.

“Our offense is just very aggressive. That’s one of our strengths this season,” Concialdi said. “Anyone is willing to go to the goal, and that’s really hard for a team to defend.”

USC should be rewarded with another leap in the national rankings.

“We just want to focus on us,” Trojans coach Lindsey Munday said. “That’s what we have been doing so far this season. It really doesn’t matter who we are playing. We want to focus on us and keep improving every single day.” 

Boston College will look to bounce back against Brown on Tuesday.

USC will play San Diego State on Sunday and look to continue its perfect start to the 2020 season.