USA Weekly: California derbies on final day of regular season

This week marks the final weekend of Conference action ahead of the finals, and thats the main focus of this edition of the USA weekly!

Derby Day in the MPSF

As the MPSF gears up for the highly anticipated finals weekend in San Jose, two thrilling derbies are set to water the mouth this weekend.

First up is the LA derby, a titanic clash between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins. Arguably the most fiercely contested rivalry in women’s collegiate sports, this match promises to be a spectacle. USC heads into the encounter as the country’s top-ranked team, having remained unbeaten thus far in the MPSF. However, the Bruins, under the tutelage of Adam Wright, are renowned for their tenacity and will be no pushovers. With form often taking a back seat in these high-pressure fixtures, the Trojans will need to bring their A-game if they are to prevail.

The second derby on the cards is the ‘Big Game’ between the reigning NCAA champions, Stanford, and the Cal Bears. Having already defeated their opponents thrice this season, the Cardinal will be looking to assert their dominance over the Bears once again. However, with Cal desperate for a win as they approach the season finale, Stanford will need to be wary of an upset in Bear Territory.

Over at Arizona State, a third crucial encounter is set to take place as the Sun Devils host San Jose. Both teams have struggled in conference play this season, with pride at stake for the cellar dwellers of the MPSF. Although this match may not receive the same attention as the two derbies, it is still expected to be a hotly contested affair.

Elsewhere…

The regular phase of all the conferences are coming to a close across the country this weekend; a valuable win at this late stage could still prove decisive for rankings for next weekend’s conference finals. 

In the Big West Conference, Irvine will be looking to maintain their perfect record as they host Long Beach in what promises to be a highly intriguing encounter between the current top and third-placed teams in the league. Over in Honolulu, UC Davis will be hoping to upset Hawaii and deny them a first-place finish, while the winner of the Santa Barbara vs San Diego clash will secure fifth place.

In the Golden Coast Conference, the Fresno State Bulldogs have already secured top spot ahead of the playoffs, regardless of their result against Santa Clara this weekend. Meanwhile, in the CWPA conference, Princeton are set to finish in pole position ahead of Michigan, thanks to their superior goal differential when the two sides met earlier this month.

This weekend’s top picks

Saturday 22nd April

California vs Stanford

UCLA vs USC

Arizona State vs San Jose

UC San Diego vs UC Santa Barbara

UC Irvine vs Long Beach State

Hawaii vs UC Davis

Conference Standings

MPSF

1. USC – 5 games – 5 wins
2. Stanford – 5 – 4
3. UCLA – 5 – 4
4. California – 5 – 3
5. Indiana – 6 – 2
6. San Jose – 5 – 0
7. Arizona State – 5 – 0

Big West

1. UC Irvine – 6 games – 6 wins
2. Hawaii – 6 – 5 
3. Long Beach State – 6 – 5
4. UC Davis – 6 – 3
5. UC San Diego – 6 – 2
6. UC Santa Barbara – 6 – 2
7. CSUN – 6 – 0
8. Cal State Fullerton  – 6 – 0

Golden Coast Conference

1. Fresno State – 6 games – 6 wins
2. LMU – 5 – 5
3. San Diego State – 6  -4
4. Pacific – 5 – 3
5. Concordia – 6 – 3
6. Azusa Pacific – 6 – 2
7. Santa Clara – 6 – 1
8. Cal Baptist – 7- 0

CWPA

1. Princeton* –  10 games – 9 wins
2. Michigan – 10 – 9
3. Havard – 9 – 5
4. Brown – 9 – 5
5. Saint Francis – 10 – 2
6. Bucknell – 10 – 0

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