Coach Margueritte Aozasa’s squad is kicking off its season down south.

And the Bruins are feeling the heat in the heart of the Bulldogs’ den.

No. 8 UCLA women’s soccer is headed to the Turner Soccer Complex in Athens, Georgia, for its season-opening match against Georgia on Thursday afternoon.

The Bruins last faced the Bulldogs in 2023, capturing a 2-0 victory at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The Bulldogs went on to win their first SEC conference title in program history that same year.

“There’s no surprise that they’ve had success,” Aozasa said. “They’re always known to have some incredible strikers.”

And the Bulldogs particularly excel defensively.

Georgia’s backline allowed only 22 shots during the 2024 season and held opposing teams to a .073 shooting percentage, along with boasting nine shutouts.

The Bulldogs defensive gauntlet features goalkeeper Jordan Brown, who tallied a conference-leading 120 saves last season – the second-highest mark in program history. The midfield features midfielder/defender Kiera Staude – who rose to No. 10 and became the highest-ranked SEC player on the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Top 100 Freshman list.

The Bulldogs also added new talent up front with forward Hailey Gordon, who scored 40 goals in her latest campaign with Slammers HB Køge, and is making her collegiate debut this season.

Following Saturday’s 3-0 shutout against Loyola Marymount, redshirt senior midfielder Emma Egizii noted how the mix of new and experienced talent may bring a fresh dynamic to the squad.

“It’s a whole different team – which is something I’m excited about,” Egizii said. “We’re kind of finding what makes us special and how we can bring our best this year.”

But the Bruins may also face other challenges in Athens beyond just the Bulldogs.

With an expected temperature of 90 degrees along with 78% humidity Thursday, the Bruins will likely battle the Georgia heat.

“We’re used to the weather here, we’re used to the grass here and we might feel a little too comfortable going into it,” said sophomore defender Paloma Daubert. “We need to keep in mind that environments can be different – especially from travel.”