USC, which went with the same starting eleven that beat Missouri 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, had the better of the attacking opportunities in the opening half at a rather desolate-looking Coliseum.

USC’s two best opportunities came at either end of the first half.

The first came after six minutes when a close-range shot by Lauren Brown hit the bar and denied the striker out of Chino Hills her seventh goal of the season.

The second came two minutes before half time, when junior Kelly Finch just failed to prod home a ball from three yards out.

Florida looked dangerous on the counter attack, but was unable to put USC under sustained pressure.