The No. 8 UCLA men’s soccer team (12-4-1 overall) sits atop the Pac-12 standings with a perfect record of 7-0-0, earning a total of 21 points out of 21 points possible. The second-place team, Washington, has played two more games than UCLA and is three points behind and lost 1-0 against UCLA just last weekend. UCLA is also nine points ahead of San Diego State, the third-place team in the conference.

Needless to say, the Bruins are exactly where they want to be in the standings as they embark on a trip this weekend to take on the California Bears today and the Stanford Cardinal on Sunday. The Bears and the Cardinal are the worst teams in the conference thus far.

Cal is winless in conference with an 0-5-2 record.

Despite their dismal season thus far, the Bears were still able to give the Bruins some trouble the last time they faced at Drake Stadium.

It took an overtime golden goal scored by senior midfielder/defender Andy Rose to help the Bruins escape with a 1-0 victory.

Stanford put up much less of a fight than Cal did as UCLA cruised to a 2-0 win while resting a few of its starters.

However, the Bruins understand that in games with in-state rivals, games aren’t played on paper but on the pitch and that despite being first in the conference, they must ready themselves for formidable opponents.

“It’s always tough up there. We always have a tough game against Cal and Stanford as well. We know it’s going to be a tough match. We’ve just got to prepare hard this week and try to get a couple more wins,” redshirt junior Fernando Monge said.

If UCLA is able to salvage a point in either of these two games or its last game against San Diego State, it will have clinched its seventh Pac-12 title.

Too soon to say goodbye

Last weekend’s game against Oregon State was the last home game of the season.

For seniors, it could possibly be the last time they played at Drake Stadium.

Despite the possibility of that 1-0 double overtime victory being their last home game, the seniors aren’t quite ready to leave their home turf.

“To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Rose said. “I have amazing memories here at Drake, and it’s an amazing place to play. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to play for such a prestigious program like UCLA and something I’ll remember forever with fond memories. I’m not quite ready to give up yet; I’m hoping we have a couple more home games in the playoffs.”

Having home-field advantage has treated the team well this season as it has compiled a 9-2 record at Drake Stadium and North Athletic Field.

Not in Sunday’s best

The Bruins have had problems dealing with the rigorous schedule of playing two games a weekend, with one being on Friday and the next on Sunday.

With overtime being a common occurrence for UCLA this season, the extended minutes are taking a toll on the team’s legs.

Against Oregon State last Sunday after having just played Washington on Friday, the Bruins got off to a slow start.

“We just weren’t sharp enough and not being sharp enough led to us tying the game in regulation and we got better in overtime,” coach Jorge Salcedo said.

Bumps and bruises

Against Washington, junior midfielder/forward Ryan Hollingshead went down with an injury.

It was his first game playing after sitting out in the previous two games while sporting a knee brace on the sidelines.

Monge also made his full return from injury against Washington and Oregon State after playing limited minutes in previous games.

“It’s hard work. Every time you’re injured and off the field there are inconsistencies in playing. It feels really good to get back on the field and play almost a full 90 minutes and get closer to playing more and more minutes in overtime. It’s a really good feeling,” Monge said.