It’s usually the case that whenever UCLA meets USC, outside storylines are tossed out the window.

This year’s crosstown women’s soccer matchup is no different.

The fact that UCLA is the No. 3 team in the nation doesn’t matter. The fact that one more win clinches the Bruins a share of the Pac-10 title and effectively eliminates the second-place Trojans is forgotten. The one concern is the rivalry.

“All that stuff aside, it’s ’SC,” UCLA coach Jill Ellis said. “And that’s ultimately the driving force. This is just a huge game.”

Although UCLA (13-1-3, 5-0-1 Pac-10) has dominated the all-time series, going 11-2-1 against the Trojans (7-6-4, 3-2-1), there are still concerns about Sunday’s game at Drake Stadium.

“They really bring a physical presence,” Ellis said of USC. “They have a very blue-collar-type mentality. They’re very athletic and they try to outwork their opponent.”

The blue-collar mentality from the white-collar Trojans may just give the technical, control-minded Bruins fits.

“Our speed of play will have to be good, or there is going to be contact,” Ellis said.

The last time these two teams met was Nov. 17, 2002, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

USC came out in a totally defensive frame of mind, attempting to take the more-talented Bruins to penalty kicks.

That strategy almost worked, as UCLA junior defender Kendal Billingsley scored the game-winning goal with only six minutes left in the second overtime. The game ended 1-0.

“Last year, I heard their coach yelling, ‘Let’s take them to PKs,’” Ellis said.

The Bruin coach expects USC to play a different style this Sunday, as regular season games simply end in ties if no goals are scored after two overtimes.

“I expect them to come out Sunday and play us straight up,” she said. “With more risks, it opens up the game and makes it more fun.”

Also notable from last year’s playoff matchup with the Trojans is the torn posterior cruciate ligament suffered by UCLA sophomore midfielder Jill Oakes.

Oakes had to sit out for more than 10 months, and she has just recently worked herself back to 100 percent on the field. After last weekend’s games against Arizona State and Arizona, Ellis was greatly impressed with what she saw from her star midfielder.

“I told Jill that she was just very, very special,” Ellis said. “She controlled the midfield. She’s playing as well as I’ve seen her play here.”

Sophomore forward Iris Mora is also playing some of the best soccer of her career. She leads the Bruins in points, with eight goals and 11 assists.

USC is led in scoring by freshman forward Rosa Anna Tantillo, who has tallied six goals on the season. Senior forward Jessica Edwards is second on the team with four goals.

This is the Bruins’ last home game of the season, but UCLA will likely host postseason matches. The Bruins round out their schedule next weekend at the Oregon schools.