After a month's worth of two-game weekends compounded by a road trip, an emergency landing, game-deciding calls (or non-calls), extra time victories and an overtime heartbreak, the No. 19 Cal women's soccer team finally got a much-needed break.

The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Bears (7-3), as it fell the weekend before the beginning of their 2008 campaign in arguably the most difficult conference in the nation.

"Playing so many games and so many minutes in such a short amount of time is always difficult," coach Neil McGuire said. "The week off can go two ways: it can help or it can take you out of the rhythm that you've created playing Friday-Sunday every week."

Cal has spent its time off trying to recuperate from injury, as well as shake off those daily sores, aches and pains that come with a strenuous month of soccer.

Tactically, McGuire worked the Bears on a shorter field last week, focusing on more of the individual effort, including technical work, both in and around the box.

The Bears, who have been offensively lackluster as of late, scoring only four goals in the last four games, will look to rejuvenate their attack as they take on Oregon State (5-4-1) on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.

The Beavers haven't won a Pac-10 match since opening day of 2006 conference play, when they took down Arizona State in overtime. And although the Bears have not lost to the Beavers in the Pac-10 since 1995, McGuire is not eager to focus on the end of his schedule, when Cal will match up against the big three–No.4 UCLA, No. 5 USC and No. 6 Stanford.

"The only game that matters right now is the Oregon State game," McGuire said. "Then on Saturday morning, we will get ready for Oregon. Every team right now has an equally as good record as everyone else in the Pac-10 (0-0)."

Last year, the Bears were snapped back to reality after their week off with three straight losses to the big three. In the end, Cal was resilient as they were able to battle back and close out the conference with six straight wins to make the NCAA tournament.

"I think it will be good for us to have them at the end this year," goalie Gina Pellegrini said. "If we get off to a good start, I think we can build confidence for the top three, more so than we did last year. But we are not starting off with weak opponents by any means. There are no easy teams."

Cal has established itself as a consistent contender in the Pac-10, as they finished tied for third last year. And as the rest of the conference may see it, there might be a big four.

But no matter who the Bears play, Cal always chooses to focus more on its game and what it can do to win, rather than its opponent.

"We are going to be a lot better this year," junior Brianna Bak said. "We are a lot stronger, both mentally and physically, and I think we can beat those top teams."

Tags: CAL WOMEN'S SOCCER, NEIL MCGUIRE