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The Pac-10 title is on the line this week when No. 5 Cal travels to Los Angeles to face No. 12 USC Friday at 3 p.m., and No. 3 UCLA Sunday at 1 p.m. The Bears are 14-1-1 and in second place in the Pac-10 with a 4-1 record. Washington leads the league with a 6-0 mark.  

A strong finish could help the Bears attain a bye in the first round of NCAAs and possibly one of eight seeds in the 48-team field, which will be announced Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. 

USC is ranked No. 12 this week by Soccer America with an 11-3-2 record and is tied for third in the league with UCLA with a 3-1-1 mark. The Trojans are led by freshman forward Jessica Edwards, who has 20 points, and Canadian World Cup midfielder Isabelle Harvey, who has 15 points.  

“USC plays a very direct style, so it’s hard to keep your composure,” said Cal head coach Kevin Boyd. “We’ll have to work hard and play our game.” 

UCLA is 12-2-1 and ranked No. 8 by Soccer America. Forward Tracey Milburn leads the team with 27 points (12G, 3A). UCLA and Cal will likely have a defensive battle, as the teams have combined to allow only 12 goals all year. Cal trails USC, 2-3, in the all-time series, and is even with UCLA at 3-3.  

“UCLA’s defense is good because their offense is so good,” Boyd said. “It’s hard to keep the ball in their end.”