JANE LEE
Sports Assistant
Senior forward Megan Woods looks to score against the University of Denver in the Waves’ 4-0 win Sunday at Tari Frahm Rokus Field (Anela Holck/Assistant Photo Editor)
The No.-9 Pepperdine women’s soccer team improved its record to 8-0-1 as it rolled past UNLV and Denver in front of home crowds at Tari Frahm Rokus Field this weekend.
Senior Anna Picarelli picked up her third shutout of the season as the Waves topped UNLV 1-0 Friday afternoon.
The two teams were evenly matched as they played to a scoreless tie after the first half. UNLV (3-3-3) had the chance to take advantage of five corner kicks, but the Waves defended the goal, while Picarelli came up with some big grabs in the net.
“The defense definitely deserves major props for their efforts,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “From Anna Picarelli in goal, to the unsung heroes of our backline, our defense is getting better and better with each game.”
Pepperdine’s offense came out strong in the second half as they dominated the Rebels’ defense.
Freshman midfielder Emily Wynne put the Waves on the board when she scored 15 yards out on the left side at the 57:49 mark. Senior Jenna Fodor and sophomore Samantha Hire were credited with the assists.
In the last minute of the game, UNLV had an opportunity to tie the match as it tried to capitalize on a corner kick, but Pepperdine kept the Rebels out of the box to secure its seventh victory.
The Waves outshot the Rebels 16-13, including seven shots on goal.
Two days later, Pepperdine cruised past Denver in a 4-0 victory, as the Waves got four goals and four assists from different players on the field.
Despite challenging the Waves several times in the box during the first half, the Pioneers (3-5-3) were unable to find the back of the net.
At the 43:02 mark, Fodor tapped in the ball after a flurry of action in the box to put the Waves on top 1-0. Junior forward Lindsey Redlin registered the assist.
After a failed attempt by Denver to even the score, the half ended with Pepperdine leading by one goal.
The Waves took control of the game early in the second half, continuously pressing Denver’s defense as freshman forward Amanda Rupp scored her first goal of the season to make it 2-0 at the 55:26 mark. Freshman Ashley Copp was credited with the assist.
Seven minutes later, Copp scored her first goal of the season at the 69:19 mark off of a corner kick from Fodor to increase the Waves’ lead to three.
The scoring continued at the 87:17 mark as senior forward Megan Woods easily tapped in Pepperdine’s final goal off of a breakaway in an open net to make it 4-0.
Despite having several opportunities to get on the board, including two free kicks and three corner kicks, Denver could not get past Picarelli, who, once again, came up big for the Waves as she recorded her second straight shutout. She tallied five saves in the match.
Pepperdine outshot the Pioneers 15-13.
“It was a total team effort against Denver,” Ward said. “Everyone on the field played extremely well and we were pleased with the result.
“The defense really set the tone for our entire team. It definitely felt like something clicked with our defense as their play was just exceptional.”
The 8-0-1 start for the Waves gives Pepperdine its best-ever nine-match start in school history.
They look to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they face Utah at home in a 3 p.m. contest Friday.
“The game against Utah is huge as they are a very good team, and we expect it to be much like some of our previous matches like Arizona, Kansas and SMU as far as quality of the opponent,” Ward said. “I know our entire staff and players are looking forward to the game with Utah, as it will be another fantastic challenge for our squad.”
09-29-2005
