LOS ANGELES -- Freshman Jessica Edwards (Mesa, AZ/Dobson HS) registered two goals and an assist to lead the No. 12 USC Trojans to a 3-1 win Friday against the Baylor Bears in the 2000 Fila Challenge at McAlister Field. With the win, the Trojans improve to 4-0 and continue the best start in the eight-year history of the program. Baylor drops to 2-2-1 on the season.

The Trojans opened the scoring at 25:58 on a goal by sophomore Stephanie Scholl (Torrance/South Torrance HS) off a cross from the left side by Edwards. With USC up 1-0 at halftime, Edwards recorded her first goal at 50:21 when she beat Baylor goalkeeper Dawn Greathouse to a ball outside the box on the left side. Edwards then chipped it past Greathouse and scored in the empty net.

The Bears scored their lone goal when Molly Cameron buried a free kick at 73:55 from Jennifer Eden. With the goal, Cameron continued her streak of a goal in five straight matches. Edwards rounded out the scoring at 76:53 when, once again, she beat Greathouse to a bouncing ball in the box and scored into the empty net.

"Jessica has really been snake-bitten, but she really broke out today for us," said USC Head Coach Jim Millinder. "I thought Megan Abbamonto and Katie Ticehurst really played strong for us in the middle. I was a little disappointed that we conceded a goal when we were up 2-0, but this was a great outing for the team. I believe our best soccer is in front of us."

Junior Shaelyn Fernandes (San Jose/Presentation HS) made four saves in her first start in goal for the Trojans.

In earlier Fila Challenge action, the No. 8 UCLA Bruins (4-1) defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3) by a 2-0 score. The Bruins dominated the match by recording an 18-1 margin in shots against Vanderbilt.

Stephanie Rigamat and Breana Boling each scored for the Bruins, both in the second half. The Bruins' win, however, was tempered by the loss of freshman defender Nandi Pryce in the first half. Pryce, who was chosen as an alternate for the 2000 United States Women's Olympic Team, suffered a severe leg injury and did not return. The extent of her injury has yet to be determined.

The 2000 Fila Challenge will resume on Sunday (Sept. 10) at McAlister Field with UCLA playing Baylor at noon, while USC will host Vanderbilt at 2 p.m.

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