The women’s soccer team finished its second weekend of the LSU Tournament with one victory (3-0) against UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Sept. 16 and a tie (1-1) against Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, Sept.18. The team remains undefeated this season, as the Waves prepare for a home game against Lamar on Friday, Sept. 23.
“The team is doing really well right now,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “Working hard, staying humble, taking each day as it comes and doing our very best in the moment.”
The scene on the Harder Stadium of UC Santa Barbara was a destruction of the Gauchos, as the Waves succeded in using opportunities, scoring three goals. Junior Michelle Manning made the first goal in the 16th minute as she put the ball away off a crossing pass into the upper right corner. The Gauchos struggled to protect the net as Waves continued their series of attacks.
Manning and senior Myriah Stockman each scored in the last part of the second half, making it impossible for the Gauchos to make up the difference. Manning was named WCC player of the week, after she netted two goals for Pepperdine. The win brought the team’s record to 7-0-3.
The match against Cal Poly proved more challenging and made the Lady Waves prove once again that they will fight to the end. During the first half, the Waves tested Cal Poly’s strength with several fast attacks as they launched 22 shots. The Mustangs could not make their way to Pepperdine’s net, making the first half easy for the Waves’ goalkeeper Roxanne Barker.
The second half was highlighted by a series of marvelous moments for players from both teams. The Waves had shown great technique and created several dangerous moments for their opponent that were resisted by outstanding saves made by the Mustangs’ goalkeeper Brooke Gauvin.
The Waves went down after the Mustangs scored in the 63rd minute, but finally found the back of the net in the 89th minute.
“We were down 1-0 until the last few minutes of the game. We were then able to tie it up,” junior forward Anisa Guajardo said. “The next few minutes and for the overtimes after, we managed the game. We had plenty of opportunities to score throughout the game and at the very end. We were just unfortunate not to have put them away.”
“The game definitely wasn’t our best showing,” Guajardo said. “But the fact that we didn’t play our best and still managed not to lose says a lot about our character and perseverance.”
“The cohesion and unity amongst the players is a beautiful thing to witness. We know that there are great challenges ahead for our squad,” Ward said. “But we’ve committed to stick together and sacrifice for one another. Ultimately, we are humbled by our success and simply hope to honor God and Pepperdine with our future performances.”
