For the past three years, this game has been close, going into double overtime twice and a single overtime once.
For the past three years, this game has, in effect, made series history irrelevant.
For the past three years, this game has belonged to the Bruins.
Tonight, the No. 1 UCLA women’s soccer team (11-1-2, 4-0 Pac-10) will play in arguably its biggest game of the season against a very familiar foe, the USC Trojans (11-1-2, 3-0-1 Pac-10) who rank No. 9 on NSCAA/Adidas Coaches’ Poll, at Drake Stadium.
Obviously, the two teams have a lengthy history with each other due to the intense rivalry between the two schools. In their 17 career games against the Trojans, the Bruins have come out on top 14 times, owning a record of 14-2-1.
However, the past three years have been anything but easy wins for the Bruins. In both 2004 and 2005, the Bruins needed double overtime to defeat the Trojans, winning by a score of 3-2 both times. Last year, UCLA upended USC 2-1 in overtime.
“I think the maturity of this team is that (they know) history is irrelevant,” UCLA coach Jill Ellis said. “It is ‘SC, so obviously it is a big rivalry with the schools. But I think going into it, both teams are looking at it as two quality teams coming together for a great match. Our conference is incredibly strong this year. In some polls, ‘SC is ranked No. 2 . So what people can expect is two very good teams playing their hearts out for their schools.”
Bruin players say that due to the presence of the rivalry, the game holds a little extra meaning.
“Obviously there is a huge tradition behind the rivalry,” forward Kara Lang said. “And USC has had a great season so far. So, we’re just really excited. This is always a really fun part of the season, a great opportunity for a really good game.”
If both teams play the high caliber of soccer that each is capable of, then the fans at Drake Stadium are in for a treat.
In their previous eight matches, the Bruins have outscored their opponents 25-3. Additionally, the Bruins have yet to let up a goal in Pac-10 play, making them the No. 1 team defensively in the conference.
But coming in at No. 2 in Soccer Buzz rankings are the USC Trojans, who allowed their only goal in conference play during a 1-1 tie game at No. 5 Stanford last weekend.
While UCLA has been playing exceptionally in recent games, Ellis said that there is the opportunity for the Bruins to play even better.
“I think we’re playing well,” Ellis said. “But, the scary thing is, we haven’t had (all) 11 players on the field have their best game in one game ““ and that’s why we are pushing (ourselves). We know we have been in games where four or five players have played out of their minds. Now if we can get all 11 of our players on the field maximizing what they can do talent-wise, I think then we could be even better.”
An already stout defense is bolstered with the return of junior defender Erin Hardy. Hardy returned to action for the Bruins last weekend in the team’s 2-0 victory over Stanford after sitting out seven games with a right LCL sprain.
Hardy notes that the Bruins’ impressive undefeated streak of 13 games, which came after the teams’ season-opening loss to Texas, is due in large part to that loss and the rough patch they went through after it, during which they had two ties and struggled with injuries.
“We kind of started out rough,” Hardy said. “Usually we don’t lose until maybe one in Pac-10 or not ever until the finals. So, starting off losing kind of made us work on what we needed to. Practices have been a lot harder so that makes the games more like a treat. If we practice hard we all get better each practice and just focus on learning something from each practice and bring that into the game.”
After practice on Thursday, the mantra was the same one that has been said all year ““ focus only on their own team no matter who is on the other side of the field.
“We are really just trying to focus on our game,” Hardy said. “Once we start focusing on (other teams), we lose what we are going to do.”