In a game very similar to our previous encounter, USC came from behind to snatch a Gold Coast Conference semifinal victory from Grand Canyon University, 17-12 Saturday. 

With the win, the Trojans advance to tomorrow's final against the winner of the Long Beach State-University of San Diego game.

Just as they had done three weeks ago in Las Vegas, USC put themselves in an early hole. Unlike that game, it seemed that nerves were getting the better of the home team this time around.

"We made things much harder than they needed to be," said USC Head Coach Loa Milford. "Instead of making the simple, easy pass, we were pressing ourselves and trying to make the perfect pass. I want us to play quick and precise footy, but it seems like it translates to rushed and frenetic footy."

Affairs started off well enough for the Trojans as GCU knocked-on the opening kick. From the ensuing scrum, the Trojans swept right and created an overlap on the wing. Unfortunately, scrum half Guido Scassellati's offload didn't go to hand, but rather, went out of bounds. The Trojans stole the line out but with slick weather conditions, turned the ball over in the tackle. Lock Demarco Scavuzzi then got penalized for offside and GCU were able to flip the field on the kick to touch.

Both teams continued to struggle with possession but the Trojans could not seem to clear their own line. After 10 minutes of play inside the USC zone, the Antelopes finally broke through the midfield for a converted try from freshman center Louie Natera

The score remained 7-0 in favor of GCU through halftime. In the 50th minute, the Antelopes looked to extend their lead with a penalty kick in front of the posts. The kick went wide and USC had a 22m drop out.  Unfortunately, the kick went straight to the GCU fullback, who then return kicked toward the corner. USC flyhalf Adam Bushell couldn't corral the bouncing ball, so the Antelopes' wing caught it and offloaded to his scrumhalf Nimer Munakash for a try in the corner. The conversion fell short, bringing GCU's lead to 12-0.

USC finally got things into gear and started to push the tempo.  Their initial touchdown via Joey Krassenstein got called back for shepherding, but the Trojans kept the ball in the attacking zone and eventually scored through a series of pick-and-goes. Flanker Jack Haley got under his defender and touched down near the posts. Bushell converted the extras, bringing the game to 7-12.

In the 70th minute, Scassellati combined with flanker Mike Cesar on a nice inside ball from a ruck. Cesar broke the first line of defenders and was away. Grand Canyon's fullback took him down but could not maintain the tackle. Cesar got back to his feet and scored under the posts. Bushell's kick went through; 14-12 USC.

Bushell added a penalty kick in the 79th minute to extend the lead to an unconverted try. The unsung kick-off did not travel 10 meters so he Trojans needed to retains possession from one more scrum in order to secure the win. Despite a strong Antelope drive, Cesar pulled the ball out of the scrum and Scassellati kicked to touch for the final whistle. 17-12 to USC.

"I'm proud of how far we've come and happy with the effort," said Milford. "We survived and advanced, which is all that matters. That stated, we need to play much better tomorrow if we want better results."