This post was updated Oct. 10 at 11:30 p.m.

Facing the nation’s second-best team brings high stakes, nerves and pressure.

All that intensifies, though, as the postseason looms and a playoff berth dangles in the distance.

UCLA men’s soccer (4–3-4, 1-2-2 Big Ten) will face No. 2 Ohio State (9-0-2, 4-0-1) at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Friday night. With five games left in the regular season, each conference battle carries playoff implications.

The Bruins – who are currently eighth in the Big Ten – will face pivotal games ahead as they teeter on the edge of qualifying for the eight-team conference tournament.

While the beginning of UCLA’s season was defined by defensive prowess – with five clean sheets in the first six games of the season – untimely goals and defensive miscues have driven its recent demise recording one win, two ties and two losses across its last five contests.

“You can’t make glaring mistakes and provide opportunities for the opponent to have easy chances, and we’ve just done that in those couple of games and that’s the disappointing part,” said coach Ryan Jorden.

On the other side of the pitch, the Bruins’ offense has picked up steam after an inconsistent first half of the season – failing to score in three contests and scoring just one goal in three affairs. Notably, UCLA has scored 10 goals in its last four games – with five coming against Westmont on Sept. 24.

Despite the uptick in scoring, the Bruins continue to struggle in efficiency. Of the team’s three losses this season, it took 10 more shots than its opponents in two of them.

“We’ll keep working on the attacking piece and scoring goals,” Jorden said. “We’ll continue to work on how we deal with stuff on our own end, out of possession. … We can play some good football through the midfield third – just have to make sure we’re taking chances of scoring goals.”

UCLA’s lack of offensive production may not bode well against Ohio State’s formidable defensive line and dual-goalkeeper approach.

Buckeye goalkeepers Max Trejo and Patrick McLaughlin – who have started six and five games, respectively – have conceded just seven goals and made 25 saves combined.

The tandem is supported by a defensive line teeming with experience and talent. Ohio State’s most recent starting backline of defenders Siggi Magnusson, Donovan Williams, Thomas Gilej and Nick McHenry boasts more than 11 years of playing experience for a group that has produced six clean sheets this season.

While the Buckeyes’ defensive wall may prove to by the Bruins’ biggest foe, UCLA’s unity and passion may propel them through treacherous waters.

“The camaraderie of the team is something I don’t think I’ve experienced before, and it’s just great to know that those guys are just rooting for you, whether you’re on or off the field, it’s just somebody’s always in your corner cheering for you,” said freshman forward Artem Vovk.

However, the Buckeyes’ offensive arsenal also may pose significant problems for the Bruin defense. Ohio State’s roster contains five different players with five or more goals on the season. While its distribution of production is its strength, the Buckeye offense is spearheaded by midfielder tandem Marko Borkovic and Michael Adedokun.

Borkovic has notched five goals and four assists this season while Adedokun has recorded six goals and six assists.

After tying Penn State 2-2 – despite leading 2-0 with 15 minutes left – UCLA will go back to the chalkboard before facing Ohio State on Friday night.

“(We) just need go back to film, learn from this game and put it behind us,” said senior forward Andre Ochoa. “There’s still a long way to go and try to make the tournament and win the conference.”