FERNANDO URIBE
Staff Writer
The Pepperdine women’s lacrosse team (4-3) has turned around its 0-3 season with four strong victories in March and April. The turnaround began at their tournament March 14 and 15 when Pepperdine was able to capture its first victory, 18-7, against a strong Towson University team. The following day, Pepperdine again showed its strength with a decisive 19-2 victory over UC Berkeley and played a very even 8-9 match against Tri-Check, a post-collegiate club program.
Since the tournament, Pepperdine has won its last three games against University of Arizona (18-10), University of San Diego (21-6) and Arizona State (13-11).
“I think confidence has been the major factor,” Coach Kate Hicks said. “Our defense is really stepping up and playing together, and our attack is finally becoming a threat from many angles.”
Hicks is right about the attack becoming a threat. Over the last three games, six players on the Pepperdine attack — freshmen Courtney Schneck, Emily McKenzie, Jessie Heneghan, sophomore Sascha Reed, junior Annie McKinley and senior Alexis Padis — have been evenly scoring and assisting.
“It’s really fun to watch a team try to shut down one of our attackers and then watch another attacker step up,” said Coach Juliet Mittlemann.
Padis echoed Mittlemann’s sentiments.
“Our team is working together to score,” she said. “Over the last few years, it has been individual performances that put goals on the scoreboard. But we’ve become a very unselfish team, willing to work together to win the game.”
Hicks also attributes the team’s success to its ability to play two even halves and finish games.
“Last year I feel like we would play a strong first half and then sort of disappear the second,” she said. “That has not been the case this year. If anything, these girls take the instruction and improve each half.”
This even play helped Pepperdine win a close game Sunday against Arizona State. At halftime the score was tied, 7-7. After a quick talk, Pepperdine came out and improved its shooting percentage, won almost every draw and came up with defensive turnovers and saves. By the last five minutes Pepperdine was able to enjoy a comfortable four-goal lead and finish the game 13-11. Again, Hicks said she does not believe last year would have seen the same outcome.
“Our team has become a very smart team,” she said. “Led by captains Alexis Padis and Alison Britain the girls really work together and make good decisions. I couldn’t be happier about this past weekend.”
Pepperdine travels to No.-1 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday for an important league game.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge, and while Santa Barbara is tough, I am confident that we will give them a run for their money,” Britain said.
The Waves finish the regular season at USC on Wednesday.
“Our girls are executing and playing well,” Hicks said. “They just need to continue to play with that confidence and we’ll be successful.”
04-10-2008
