The rivalry between UCLA and USC has always been one of the most intense in college, yet never really when it came down to women’s soccer.
That is, until now.
The No. 1 Bruins (20-1-2) and the No. 9 Trojans (18-3-2) will face off in the NCAA College Cup on Friday in what will be a rematch of an earlier game this season played at Drake Stadium that saw UCLA top USC 2-0.
“We’re definitely not overlooking them at all just because we beat them,” junior defender Erin Hardy said. “They’re never easy to play.”
Though the Trojans had talent in years past, it wasn’t until USC coach Ali Khosroshahin came to the program that the talent was able to turn into something more and add some flair to the rivalry between the two programs.
But, like they have done all year, the Bruins will continue to focus on themselves and their game play rather than that of USC.
“We’re really just trying to focus on how we play because if we have a bad game, we’re going to lose regardless of how they play,” Hardy said.
Though the teams have played each other at least once a season, never before have they met on such a big stage, with a berth in the championship game on the line.
In fact, it will be the first time two Pac-10 teams have met in the College Cup, though UCLA coach Jill Ellis feels that the way the draw was set up was in such a manner that wouldn’t allow two teams from the West Coast to meet in the championship game.
“I think it’s just unfortunate that we have to play USC in the semifinals and that the NCAA feels that there has to be a champion from the East and a champion from the West that play in the final,” she said.
The strength of the West has been shown in the tournament as the seeds have played out more or less how they were anticipated to.
On the other side of the bracket, it will be a battle between third-seeded Florida State and fourth-seeded Notre Dame.
Just as Ellis felt that the Bruins’ matchup against Portland should be a Final Four game, many people feel that the winner of the game between USC and UCLA will eventually be crowned champion this season.
With its win over Portland, UCLA became the first team since the use of the 64-team format to reach five consecutive College Cups.
“It’s not unfamiliar territory,” Ellis said.
“I think it takes away a little bit of the anxiety of it, and I don’t think it’s going to be a nerve-racking experience for them.”
If the Bruins can topple the Trojans, this year’s senior class of goalkeeper Valerie Henderson and forwards Danesha Adams and Alma Playle will become the most successful UCLA class, having reached three finals (2004, 2005 and 2007) and one semifinal (2006).
Ellis feels that the team’s depth this year may be the final piece of the puzzle and may be able to help her team clinch its first ever NCAA championship after having come so close several times before.
“We’re deeper than we’ve ever been before, and I really think that helps us,” Ellis said. “You can absorb injuries, you can absorb fatigue, and you can get the personnel that you feel can match up against the opponent the best.”
But UCLA won’t be taking anything for granted and will approach Friday’s game just like any other.
“I still get nervous and I think we all do,” junior midfielder Christina DiMartino said. “But we know what to expect and we know the spotlight is going to be on us and that we have to perform at the best of our abilities.”
TELEVISION: UCLA v. USC can be seen throughout the country live on ESPNU at 4 p.m. PST (replayed on ESPN2 on Saturday at 9 a.m. PST). Florida State v. Notre Dame can be seen on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. CST Friday . Friday’s winners will meet in the national championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN2.