By Josh Fleer
Sports Assistant
The Waves’ first losing streak of the season extended to three games during the weekend as Pepperdine dropped its first two games of its final homestand of the season.
After a tough 2-1 loss to No. 3 Portland Friday, Gonzaga rolled into town Sunday having never beaten a ranked team in the program’s history.
Perhaps it was the letdown of back-to-back losses to back-to-back national champions Santa Clara (2001) and Portland (2002) ending Pepperdine’s extended stay in the top 10.
Perhaps it was the red reflection in the ocean of the approaching wildfire just over the hill or the smoke in the air.
Either way, despite out-shooting the Bulldogs 23-5, Pepperdine was handed its third loss in a row, 1-0, as one of Gonzaga’s total of two shots on goal on the day reached the back of the net at 4:43 into the first half.
“We had more than enough opportunities to win the game, but we just didn’t,” said Head Coach Tim Ward. “We out shot them by a large margin. It wasn’t like we stopped playing. But at critical moments it was like a comedy of errors. We put it over; we put it at the keeper; we were off-sides.”
The win was just Gonzaga’s second in four years over a WCC opponent, the only other win coming in their previous game Oct. 24 against Loyola Marymount.
“We need that fire inside,” said freshman Jen Brewer. “I don’t think it was burning as strong as it needed to be against Gonzaga…We’ve had a little letdown. I know I don’t like to lose. Nobody on the team likes to lose. We’ll put up a good fight this weekend.”
Next up is Saint Mary’s who played No. 8 Santa Clara to a 0-0 tie after two overtimes Sunday and breezed by San Jose State Wednesday.
Last year Pepperdine beat the Gaels for the second time in nine total meetings.
During the off-season Saint Mary’s offered Pepperdine assistant coach Kristy Walker their head coaching job. After an interview process that included the Saint Mary’s soccer players, Walker elected to remain at Pepperdine.
The game Sunday will mark the final home game of the regular season for the Waves and possibly the last game played at Tari Frahm Rokus Field for seniors Mary Stuart, Janelle Hillseth and Lacey Ubaldi.
The chances of Pepperdine hosting a tournament game went from very good to slim with the recent losing streak.
But one win in their next two games should be enough to get into the tournament.
“A lot of teams would love to have our problems right now,” said Ward. “We’re still 12-5 with a chance to be 14-5.”
For the second straight week, the WCC Player of the Week earned her honor by way of the Waves.
This week Gonzaga’s junior midfielder Sarah Hawkins, who assisted on her team’s lone goal against Pepperdine, received the award, while Santa Clara’s junior Leslie Osborne won the honor last week.
Pepperdine looks to stop the losing streak and reverse the WCC Player of the Week trend Sunday.
Ward gave the team Monday and Tuesday off from practice to get their legs back and to keep from breathing in the smoke from the Southern California wildfires.
“We’re ready,” said Brewer. “We don’t want to lose anymore. We’re tired of it.”
The Waves are enduring their first, three-game losing streak since the 2000 season.
October 30, 2003