For UCLA, the cliché “pressure is privilege” can’t be more accurate.

After a 1-0 victory over No. 10 seed Penn State, No. 2 seed UCLA women’s soccer (14-3-3, 8-1-2 Big Ten) will head to St. Louis, Missouri, to face No. 6 seed Washington (10-5-3, 7-4) for a spot in the final of the Big Ten tournament Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

“At the end of the day, it comes with our sports we increase in levels. It’s just going to be more and more pressure on us,” said freshman defender Nicki Fraser. “We have to realize that there are times that you’re going to fail, but it can’t stop you from trying. It can’t stop you from having confidence because you just have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Washington secured a spot in the semifinal after upsetting No. 3 seed Iowa in penalty kicks.

UCLA holds a 21-3 record against Washington in a rivalry that began 26 years ago. The Bruins claimed victory in their last two matchups with the Huskies, including a 1-0 shutout in 2024 – thanks to an early goal from senior defender/forward Quincy McMahon – and a 3-2 escape in 2023.

And as two longtime members of the Pac-12, the Huskies and Bruins are familiar foes – having followed one another to the Big Ten.

The Huskies average 14.4 shots per game, totaling 260 shots so far this season. Leading the team is forward Ioanna Papatheodorou, who has scored eight goals – double the tally of Bruins’ junior midfielder Sofia Cook and junior forward Bridgette Marin-Valencia who tie for a team-high of four goals.

Right behind Papatheodorou is forward/midfielder Samiah Shell, who has contributed five goals for the Huskies, bringing the total to 13 from just two players. Facing this level of offensive power will require UCLA’s defense to be at its best.

“Thankfully, we have seen Washington before, and we kind of know what to expect,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “What we do know for sure is we’re going to have to match the intensity of the game, and we’re going to have to go while still facing a pretty combative Washington side.”

Beyond competing for a spot in the title game, Thursday’s duel carries deep meaning for several members of the senior class who are graduating at the end of the season.

“I’m super grateful, even being able to play here my four years, and especially this year in the Big Ten,” said senior defender Jayden Perry. “At the end of this tournament, there’s a trophy on the line, and we want to be the ones with our name on that trophy.”

If UCLA defeats Washington on Thursday, the Bruins secure a final berth – where they may face familiar rival USC or a relatively unfamiliar foe in Rutgers on Sunday.

But the team’s head honcho said it’ll all dial down to being calm amid pressure.

“Can we keep the game calm? Can we keep the game quiet? Can we keep the game under control and not let it get super chaotic?” Aozasa said. “I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge going into the Washington game.”