Sept. 29, 2011
Game Notes 
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State women’s soccer team is traveling to Los Angeles, Calif. this weekend to take on Pac-12 foes USC and UCLA. The No. 23 Beavers will face off against USC Friday Sept. 30 at 3:00 p.m. and will then take on No. 3 UCLA on Sunday Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.
Oregon State is 4-13-1 in the all-time series against USC, but defeated the Trojans 1-0 last year in Corvallis. The Beavers are 3-13-0 in the all-time series against UCLA, but they also defeated the Bruins during the 2010 season 3-0.
“There are still a lot of games to be played,” head coach Linus Rhode said. “We can’t take any opponent lightly regardless of what their record is. It has been proven in the past that every opponent will be tough so it is important to take it one game at a time and to do what we can to prepare for the opponent.”
The Trojans are currently 3-7-0 and coming off a loss against Washington State in their conference opener. USC was ranked No. 25 in the NSCAA preseason polls, but has dropped out after a rocky start to their season. The Trojans’ three wins this season have come from Pacific, Illinois and Purdue.
“Obviously, objective number one is USC and doing well there,” Rhode said. “I have no doubt that when the whistle blows on Friday that we will be ready to do whatever we need to do to get a win.”
The Bruins will be the highest ranked opponent that the Beavers have faced during the 2011 season and are currently ranked No. 3 in the NSCAA polls. UCLA is currently 8-0-1 and are coming off a 1-0 win against Washington in their conference opener. They have defeated two top-25 teams this season in Florida and Pepperdine.
The Bruins will be the fourth team ranked in the top-25 nationally that the Beavers have met this season. They opened the season against then No. 5 Florida State, tied the then No. 16 Santa Clara and played against the then No. 24 Portland Pilots.
The Beavers are coming off a 2-0 win against new Pac-12 opponent Colorado. Chelsea Buckland scored both goals for the Beavers and earned herself the honor of being named the Bank of the West Pac-12 Player of the Week for Sept. 19-26.
“The first Pac-12 game against Colorado I thought we did a good job and like I said before we weren’t really sure what to expect from Colorado,” Rhode said. “They were a good team and I thought we did well matching up. We are off to a good start.”
Buckland is currently ranked third in the Pac-12 conference in several different categories. She has recorded six goals, 32 shots and 14 points during the 2011 season. Haley Shaw is currently tied for second in the league with four assists. Colleen Boyd is ranked second in the league in shutouts with three and is ranked third in goals against average with an average of 0.65.
“Chelsea had a two goal weekend and like I said before, she is definitely back to form,” Rhode said. “We are very happy for her. I think the team overall is really supporting her and she is giving back to them with her work ethic.”
Fans can follow along on a live gametracker for Friday and Sunday’s games at usctrojans.com and uclabruins.com.
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