By Josh Fleer
Sports Assistant
Fresh off a record-setting road trip, the Waves return with a No. 5 ranking from Soccer America and No. 6 from Soccer Buzz and NSCAA/Adidas.
Pepperdine posted a 4-0 shutout over Auburn at the UNLV/Fila Classic on Friday and held Virginia Commonwealth scoreless in a 3-0 victory Sunday.
“It will be nice to be back home,” said senior Lacey Ubaldi, who was named to Soccer America’s “Team of the Week” as well as WCC Player of the Week. “We had a blast this last weekend. It all came together. As a team we just clicked.”
The Waves return home to host Xavier University (3-1-1) on Friday and Oregon State (3-2-1) on Sunday.
Xavier is riding a streak of 14 consecutive winning seasons.
Oregon State faces UC Santa Barbara (5-2-1) on Friday before meeting up with the Waves at Teri Frahm Rokus Field on Sunday.
The Waves defense has smothered their opponents, not allowing a goal in four consecutive games.
“Our defenders have been awesome,” said Head Coach Tim Ward. “And to know that if they do make a mistake, Anna’s back there is huge.”
Sophomore goal-keeper Anna Picarelli totaled 10 saves on the weekend and 24 saves over the four-game streak, helping the Waves set a Pepperdine record for consecutive shutouts.
“I’m pretty stoked about it,” said Picarelli. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve got an awesome defense ahead of me and I just get whatever comes through.”
While the defense continues to leave their opponent without an answer, the offense has been keeping the majority of the action up front.
Ubaldi continues to climb up the lists in Pepperdine’s record books. After scoring the first two goals against Auburn Friday and adding another score against Virginia Commonwealth Sunday, Ubaldi now ranks third on Pepperdine’s all-time career goals list and fourth in career points.
“In the Auburn game, Lacey was just terrorizing,” said Ward. “Her second goal is something that should be on highlight films. She dribbled right through three or four defenders. And when she’s targeted by the defense, she is getting better and better at finding open players.”
Freshman Jen Brewer extended her consecutive games with a goal to four, scoring in each of the games this weekend. Brewer has scored in every game since being moved from defender to forward after Pepperdine’s loss to UCLA on Aug. 31.
Ward credits Pepperdine’s depth in allowing him to maneuver the lineup and implement strategy.
During Sunday’s game in 90 degree heat against Virginia Commonwealth, Ward was able to strategically rest two of his starters to start the second half, Ubaldi and sophomore Megan Woods.
“We were able to save them for the last 20 minutes,” said Ward, “and come in with fresh legs and go and run at them.”
Within a minute of the substitution, Ubaldi scored.
In a move that will help Pepperdine’s chances of hosting NCAA tournament games, the Waves will be greeted at home this weekend with new bleachers, providing more seating and giving fans an elevated vantage point.
“It’s a sign that the University is committed to our program,” said Ward. “In turn we are going to show them they didn’t waste their money.”
September 18, 2003