The wait is almost over.

While the Bruins became official members of the Big Ten at the beginning of August, Saturday’s game will mark the team’s conference debut.

Joining a new conference usually means facing a new set of opponents. However, the Bruins will open their inaugural season in the Big Ten against a former Pac-12 opponent. No. 22 UCLA women’s soccer (5-2-1) will play Oregon (4-3) at Papé Field on Saturday.

“The Big Ten, top to bottom, everybody is a good team. There’s so much quality, which is hard. You have to show up every day, ready to give your best. So that definitely is a challenge,” said graduate student midfielder Meg Boade. “But, I think that UCLA, in the past, has done that so consistently.”

Boade transferred from Northwestern, equipping her with four seasons of Big Ten experience. She was a back-to-back All-Big Ten first-team selection in her junior and senior seasons.

Across 25 games against the Ducks, the Bruins hold the all-time record at 22-2-1. Additionally, heading into Saturday’s game, the Bruins boast a 16-game unbeaten streak against the Ducks.

“Even though they are a familiar face, every team is going to be good. Conference is when records start to matter, and games are really important,” said senior defender Jayden Perry. “At the same time, we know Oregon’s field, we know their crowd and we know what we’re getting into.”

One new addition to the Bruins’ starting lineup – senior midfielder Alice Barbieri – is even more familiar with the Ducks. The California local transferred to UCLA in early 2024 after three seasons with Oregon. She scored the first goal of her collegiate career against UCLA in 2022 and led the Ducks with three assists last season.

Barbieri has helped the Bruins kick off their season with five consecutive shutouts and six total across their first seven games.

The six clean sheets put graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Campbell – the reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year – in a tie for the NCAA lead.

The Ducks logged back-to-back shutout wins against Seattle and Portland State. But, the shutout wins preceded a two-game losing streak. Oregon lost three of its last five games to Texas Tech, New Mexico and New Mexico State.

The Bruins are also coming off a loss heading into Saturday’s game. UCLA lost two of its last three games to No. 18 Pepperdine and No. 21 Kentucky, tying its penultimate matchup against Tennessee in a scoreless match.

“We’re really looking forward to a new start,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “Once conference starts, everyone’s record is the same, 0-0-0. We’re looking forward to taking advantage of that.”