Oregon State Women's Soccer hosts #2 UCLA and Defending Champions USC

With the two toughest teams the Oregon State women's soccer team has had to face at home this season coming to town, the Beavers look to close out their rocky season on a high note as they face #2 UCLA on Friday night and #9 USC on Sunday morning. Oregon State had success against their only other nationally ranked opponent at home two weeks ago when they defeated Washington State, who were #22 in the nation at the time. "This is a season where we are trying to build a team, start afresh," said junior midfielder Rachael Axon. "We got some good results, some not so good, and this weekend with it being our last weekend we want to end on a high note whether that be a win or a loss, as long as we come out of the game knowing that we played better than our first game at the beginning of the season." UCLA, who has yet to lose this season has only given up three goals this season, and has posted a .16 goal against average this season. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Thompson is has given up all three goals this season, yet has recorded ten shutouts and has won the last nine matches she has played in. Offensively the Beavers will look to capitalize on opportunities, something that have struggled to do throughout the season. "In practice we have been particularly looking at high pressure, playing quick, looking to switch," said Axon. "We are going to out there looking to give them a game and play with no fear. It doesn't matter if they are number two or number 102, it doesn't matter to us." Axon, who is third on the team in scoring with five points looks to create pressure this weekend with junior midfielder Najma Homidi, who leads the team in scoring with nine points. The Oregon State offense has steadily increased the last couple of weeks, but many missed opportunities have lead to losses in seven of the last ten matches. Defensively the Beavers will look to shut down a potent UCLA offense that averages just under two and a half goals per match. "We have been working on pressuring on all parts of the field, double teaming as much as we can," Homidi said. "They don't really like to be aggressive, so if we just get some bodies on them that will trouble them some." The Bruins are led by junior forward Lauren Cheney, who was a member of the 2008 gold medal women's United States olympic soccer team. Cheney has scored 23 points this season, with five game winning goals, and 33 shots on goal. The Beavers defense will need to be on their A game in order to stop UCLA, who has outscored opponents 43-3 so far this season. "(Defensively we are looking at) Not allowing them to have easy shots without being contested, and the other thing is making sure we are showing them the outside, keeping them to the outside of the field and cut down on their opportunities," said Beavers head coach Linus Rhode. Things do not get much easier for the Beavers on Sunday when they face the #9 ranked Trojans of USC, who have outscored opponents 46-16, yet have lost three out of their last four matches. The Trojans are led by sophomore forward Ashli Sandoval, who was USC's assists leader as a freshman with 11. Paired with senior forward Amy Rodriguez the Trojans have a powerful front line, who combined have scored 36 points so far this season. "They play the same way (as UCLA), very athletic and direct," Rhode said. "Our gameplan will be the same against both teams, but obviously we will be alot more defensive minded and try and shut them down." The Trojans, who are 5-2 on the road this season are led defensively by their goalkeeper, junior Kristin Olsen, who is USC's career goals against average leader with just a half a goal given up per match. Olsen has five shutouts this season and has given up only ten goals. With the struggles the Oregon State offense has had this season they look for their defense to step up and stop the Trojans, who have outscored opponents 25-10 in the second half alone this season. "I think it's going to be the same gameplan as the UCLA game; stop shots, high pressure, don't let them turn," said Axon. "In and around the 18 yard box we know that they are deadly and if we can stop them on goal we will have a good chance." In being the last two games of the season, the Beavers will be hosting UCLA at 7:00 PM tonight and USC on Sunday at 11:00 AM at Lorenz Field.