Tonight’s game between the UCLA women’s soccer team and USC will feature a match of two opposites.
The UCLA women’s soccer team comes to the game with the Pac-12 title under its belt and an unbeaten record at home, while USC enters having more losses than wins, with an 8-9-2 record.
But in a match where rivalry is the focus, records and achievements are trivial.
This is a match in which pride and prestige are on the line and neither team wants to lose its regular season finale to its nemesis.
“It’s going to be an emotional game. We’re both wanting to win the game and of course we’re rivals so everyone has extra energy and we definitely, after last year, we want to get the W just because it was not a good taste in the mouth after that game,” said redshirt senior Alana Munger of UCLA’s 3-2 overtime loss to USC a year ago. “I think this year we are really looking to just play with our hearts out and (for) ‘SC. This is potentially their last game of the season … so we are just going to expect a lot of energy from them.”
Although USC has been an inconsistent team all season long, losing to teams that – on paper – it should beat, and UCLA hasn’t lost in two months and boasts a strong defense that has allowed just six goals on the season, the Trojans will be a dangerous opponent.
In last year’s encounter, USC came into the match eight places behind UCLA in the Pac-12 standings, but the Trojans managed to upset the Bruins 3-2, coming from behind to win in overtime.
But the game against USC today will be more than a game against a crosstown rival.
The match against the Trojans will be a good opportunity for the Bruins to continue its momentum going into the postseason, avenge last year’s loss and honor the seniors on the team as part of Senior Night.
Meanwhile, freshman forward Darian Jenkins will be playing in her first regular season rivalry match. Although she was not part of the team that lost to USC last year, she said she feels the intensity and wants to get a victory for her teammates, especially for the players that are leaving the team.
“I’m super excited (about the match); I mean, there is a lot going on in this game. (UCLA) lost to them last year…it (will be) Senior Night and there’ll be a bunch of people out, so I’m stoked,” Jenkins said. “There is some animosity with the players that are on the team that lost last year, so we want to get a win for them and our seniors.”
On paper, it should be UCLA’s match. The Bruins have been a powerhouse at home all season, recording seven wins and one draw, while scoring 19 goals and not allowing any.
But coach Amanda Cromwell expects a hard-fought battle since both teams are fighting for school pride.
“We approach this game like we’re both battling for the Pac-12 title; that’s the kind of intensity and passion that will be in this game,” Cromwell said. “It’s a crosstown rival, the players know each other and last year ‘SC won this game. There’s a lot at stake in our minds. It may not be a Pac-12 title, but it’s a bit of a pride thing.”