Every undefeated season starts somewhere.

And UCLA women’s soccer began its season strong, defeating Georgia 1-0 on a hot and humid day in Athens.

But each week brings new challenges for the Bruins, who are preparing to take on two opponents in four days – including a squad that recently toppled the defending national champions in its season opener.

No. 4 UCLA women’s soccer will battle No. 6 Tennessee in its home opener Wednesday and No. 19 BYU at South Field in Provo, Utah on Saturday. Tennessee is fresh off a win against then-No. 1 UNC – the first defending national champions to fall in its season opener since 2002. BYU took down then-No. 24 Minnesota last Thursday in its season-opening away match and tied with Cal Poly on Monday.

“Tennessee beat UNC tonight, so we got a good test for us coming up,” said coach Margueritte Aozasa. “BYU is no slouch either.”

Sophomore forward Bella Winn said she is eager to return home, adding that she believes that last week’s road win will set the tone for future away games.

“This time against Tennessee, the fans will be cheering for us, and we’ll have our friends and family there supporting us,” Winn said. “Then, going to BYU, we’ve played and won at an away field – a field that was very tough to play in.”

The Volunteers exhibited their offensive prowess in their victory, racking up two goals to shut out the Tar Heels. Although the squad trailed UNC in shots and corner kicks, Volunteer forward Shae O’Rourke scored two goals in 20 minutes to put the Tar Heels in a deficit they could not escape.

UCLA is focusing on maintaining possession, with Aozasa saying she believes it will be the key to victory against Tennessee. The team that controls the ball will have the best chance to win, Aozasa added.

“They can kill a team in possession,” Aozasa said. “We’re going to have to just be very good defensively, and we’re going to have to play with that confidence that allows us to keep the ball.”

BYU’s offensive depth isn’t to be underestimated, either – three different players scored for the first time in their careers in the squad’s 3-1 season-opening victory against Minnesota. The Cougars also took 12 shots on goal while limiting Minnesota to just five.

The Bruins will face a unique set of challenges against the Cougars – like high altitude and a spirited Cougar fan base.

But Aozasa said she sees both games, primarily, as opportunities to assess UCLA’s progress.

“We’re going to test what we’re made of,” she said. “This part of the season is all about giving experience to this young team.”

For senior defender and TCU transfer Jennie Immethun, who is in her first campaign with the Bruins, the upcoming games are a chance to show that the Bruins are among the best in the nation. The key to victory for UCLA, no matter the environment, is focusing on what the team can control while ignoring any outside noise, she said.

“All that matters is how we produce on the field,” Immethun said. “We’re the same team no matter what environment we’re in.”