One game could decide the most successful entrance to the Big Ten.

In its final regular season game, No. 15 UCLA (13-2-3, 8-0-2 Big Ten) will take on No. 7 (13-1-2, 9-0-1 Big Ten) USC in the latest iteration of the Los Angeles crosstown rivalry Sunday.

Although the Trojans and Bruins are newcomers to the conference, they’ve both made their mark. This weekend’s matchup marks both teams’ final regular season matchup and their final opportunity to snag the Big Ten regular season title.

“We’re gonna watch what they (USC) did this weekend, see whatever tactical adjustments we need to make and then hopefully have a good plan going into the game,” coach Margueritte Aozasa said. “But most importantly, just getting our legs back and making sure everyone is available and ready.”

To mark the occasion, the Bruins and Trojans will square off at Dignity Health Sports Park, the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, rather than one of the squads’ home stadiums.

USC currently sits at the top of the Big Ten’s women’s soccer standings with nine wins, one more victory than second place UCLA.

Senior defender Jayden Perry said the squad’s focus Sunday will be on preserving energy.

“We have to start the game with high energy, finish the game high energy,” said Perry. “They’re obviously a good team, and it is a rivalry. So we also have to be able to balance our emotions and just control the tempo. But I think we’re super excited.”

The match marks UCLA’s opportunity to become conference champions two years in a row, having secured the final Pac-12 championship in the 2023 season following a tie against Stanford.

This Sunday, a chance at a first Big Ten championship comes in the form of a familiar opponent.

“I think for us, obviously we’re pretty close with their team,” senior defender Lilly Reale said. “It’s funny that there’s this rivalry, but a lot of us grew up playing soccer together.”

The crosstown rivals last faced off for UCLA’s final Pac-12 regular season game, with the then No. 2 Bruins defeating the then No. 22 Trojans 4-2.

This time, USC comes in higher ranked, with UCLA having made its way back into the rankings after dropping below No. 25 for several weeks.

“We’ve been through a lot of adversity this season,” Reale said. “We’ve had our losses, our ties. I think we’re starting to peak at the right moment.”

In order to claim the Big Ten championship, the Bruins must win the game, while the Trojans need either a tie or a win to be crowned champions.

The deciding game kicks off Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Dignity Health Sports Park.