NICOLE ALBERTSON
Staff Writer
Coming from a successful two-game win this weekend in Northern California against Sonoma State 16-5 and Sacramento State 17-1, the Women’s Lacrosse team is looking forward to hosting the Four Points by Sheraton LAX tournament when school reconvenes after a much-needed spring vacation.
Beginning their Northern California victory Saturday against Sacramento State, the Waves proved their strength as they dominated the NorCal provisional team.
“We had a lot of confidence going into the game,” Head Coach Paul Ramsey said. “We knew we were better athletes.”
The Pepperdine women took advantage of the northerner’s rookie status and used the game to practice their skills. Eight players contributed to the overwhelming win and 13 of the 17 goals were made with assists.
The players had high expectations for their performance.
“We wanted a shutout,” said Chief Financial Advisor and junior player Alexis Padis. “We carried a lot of spirit into the game and made a team effort.”
Following the Saturday win against Sacramento, the Waves controlled the field again as they beat Sonoma State 16-5 on Sunday, raising their stats to 4-3 this season. Demonstrating their speed and stick skills on the field, the women retained possession of the game consistently winning the draw control. The dominating offense adjusted well to the opponents score and remained effective at beating the attacking defense, Ramsey said.
Sophomore Annie McKinley proved herself as the standout attacker becoming the high scorer of both games making 7 of 8 shots.
“She has raw talent and some pretty sweet skills,” Padis said.
Other players such as freshman midfielder Lindsay Macfee and sophomore goalie Audrey Donaldson made large contributions to the success of the northern journey. Despite playing without two starting defenders junior Jenna Chang with a concussion from a skateboarding accident and junior Alison Brittain from an ankle injury, the remaining players pulled together and played stronger to compensate for their handicap.
“We really started playing together this weekend as a team, as a unit, rather than individuals,” Padis said.
The women’s lacrosse team, while basking in glory now, has suffered a rollercoaster season. Early season rough losses against strong teams Santa Clara and University of Southern California, each by a meager two points, has made it difficult to shake defeat. But the new victories earned them a 2-0 conference record, and leads into the upcoming March tournament providing a platform of confidence and motivation.
Women’s lacrosse, while still a relatively new program at Pepperdine participating in its fifth year, is gaining recognition and honor throughout the intercollegiate lacrosse community. The Waves have become nationally ranked in two separate divisions. They are holding the RPI 12th position, which is calculated from game results nation wide, and then honored with a 21st ranking in the coveted Top 25 Coaches Poll. The coaches poll fluctuates every Wednesday after a weekend of games. Since the ranking is given from peers and competitors, it is a highly coveted title and honored ranking.
Hoping to bring in recognition for the loved sport, Ramsey has invited teams from across the nation to compete at Pepperdine and co-host at Loyola Marymount University’s fields for the 2007 Four Points by Sheraton LAX tournament.
Beginning March 16, six of the top 20 teams in the nation will travel to Malibu for a Western Women’s Lacrosse League Tournament.
“It brings teams that you don’t normally play,” Ramsey said. “It will raise the visibility of lacrosse and give us a national picture. Now everyone knows we have a team.”
Though the nationally ranked team will be coming from spring break and compensating for 13 days without a game, the Waves will not be backing down from a challenging tournament. Facing top teams like Cal Poly SLO, UC Santa Barbara and Northeastern University, Ramsey and the lacrosse ladies will be facing the tough competition.
“It is going to be really exciting,” Ramsey said. “We don’t want to play the weaker teams. We are not going to duck a challenge.”
Preparing for the upcoming tournament has sent the women’s lacrosse team on to spring break with excitement and anticipation for their return.
“We just want to continue practicing what we touched upon in the last games,” Padis said. “It makes us confident that we are going to have a successful season.”
03-01-2007
