Although 409 orange-clad fans occupied the stands at Tari Frahm Rokus field Friday it wasn’t enough to inspire a win out of the Pepperdine women’s soccer team which fell to UCLA 2-0.
Before the loss the Waves were riding on a six-game home winning streak. The Waves’ record dropped to 6-4 while UCLA clinched their ninth straight victory improving their record to 9-1-1.
Even though the 2-0 score indicated a fairly lopsided game Head Coach Tim Ward said he was proud of his team’s hustle even after a slow start in the first half.
“I thought we were a different team in the second half Ward said. We played really well we were more organized and they also played a system we didn’t expect so it sort of threw us off— all of the scouting reports never showed us that.”
The Bruins’ first goal came from a penalty kick in the first half. In her effort to save the shot freshman goalkeeper Roxanne Barker jumped ahead of the goal line giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
After this the Waves appeared to gather themselves as a team but they were unable to put one in the net.
“We had a penalty kick that gave us an opportunity to score— the keeper made a good save and we had three or four other chances to tuck one in Ward said.
The most trying moment of the game came in the final minute, when UCLA put another one past Barker. According to Ward, the final score of 2-0 wasn’t completely indicative of the game.
We had our chances to equalize Ward said. The last goal there was well hit but it was one of those things where were pushing and pushing and we kind of got sucker-punched so a 2-0 score is kind of harsh.”
UCLA prevented Pepperdine from taking a single shot during the first half but the Waves made numerous adjustments at halftime and were able to take six shots during the second half.
“It was the tale of two halves Ward said. We’re a good team but we are getting better and this was one of those games that we are going to learn a lot about ourselves from.”
Ward said that his team is still trying to bring energy and momentum all game and every game.
“It’s one of those games you know you have to bring energy for— we talk about it we diagram it we do all those things and at the end of the day we just didn’t have it.”
Sophomore Laura Cole and freshman Jennifer Karson led the Waves with two shots each and Barker ended the game with five recorded saves.
Despite his team’s best effort Ward pointed to one main reason during the first half that the team was unsuccessful against the Bruins.
“You can have the best players in the world but if you don’t come out first to the ball you’re not going to compete Ward said. [UCLA] is one of those teams that if you aren’t first to the ball and they get any kind of rhythm you’re in trouble.”
The Wave’s play again Oct. 8 at home against Cal State Bakersfield at 3 p.m.
Ward said he doesn’t believe that the loss to UCLA should will hinder the team in upcoming matches.
“If we show up and play well like we did in the second half we have a very good chance of winning the game Ward said. We expect to win every game and just need to make sure we come back and are ready to rock and roll.”