An unfamiliar opponent stands between UCLA and a spot in the Round of 16.

In an elimination game, No. 2 seed UCLA women’s soccer (17-3-3, 8-1-2 Big Ten) will play No. 7 seed Virginia Tech (12-5-3, 6-2-2 ACC) in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.

“It’s obviously a new game, a new challenge, but I love this team,” said senior defender Jayden Perry. “We all are trusting in each other, abiding into this, so we’re ready.”

Although the schools’ last matchup happened 15 years ago, the stakes remain just as high. In 2009, the Bruins battled the Hokies in the third round of the NCAA tournament in Westwood. UCLA’s 3-0 victory sent it to the quarterfinals, but it was eventually defeated by Stanford in the semifinals.

Both teams are coming off narrow victories with a similar sequence of events, with the Bruins and Hokies each striking first in their respective games. For UCLA, freshman forward Kara Croone scored in the first minute against Cal Baptist. Meanwhile in Blacksburg, Virginia, forward Anna Weir put Virginia Tech on the scoreboard in the first two minutes of its match against Tennessee.

UCLA and Virginia Tech each conceded equalizing goals but ultimately hailed victorious, with both teams winning 2-1 on their home fields. But unlike the Hokies, the Bruins will keep the home-field advantage Friday.

“Nothing’s better than playing at home,” Perry said. “Getting a two seed, we were really excited because you never know if you’re going to be able to come back and play on your home field.”

This season, Virginia Tech upset No. 6 Florida State and No. 13 Notre Dame in October. However, the Hokies have recorded each of their three ties and three of their five losses in away games.

“Virginia Tech may not travel as well as CBU, but we need everybody here on our side,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “Games like this, the momentum really does change when the fans are behind you.”

Croone added that playing in front of their fans has contributed to the Bruins’ success this season.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” Croone said. “We couldn’t do it without their support. The fans are part of the team. They boost us.”

But before the game between UCLA and Virginia Tech, No. 3 seed Iowa and No. 6 seed Georgetown will face off at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The winners of the two games will battle for a spot in the quarterfinals, which will take place Sunday night on UCLA’s home field.