For the first time in history, Pepperdine will host an NCAA women’s soccer tournament match. Ranked No. 3 in their division, the Waves (15-1-4, 7-1-0) face Long Beach State for game one at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
They were one of four WCC teams chosen to compete in the tournament. Prior to this, the NCAA has called up the Waves five times, the most recent being in 2005. Out of those five, they have been seeded twice.
“We’re really excited about being back in the tournament,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “It’s been a long time.”
The team, coaches, other staff and a cameraman gathered in the Jones Trophy Room to watch the announcement from a laptop hooked up to a television streaming NCAA.com.
Fidgeting through the commercials, the ladies hollered with joy to see Pepperdine ranked at No. 3 for the tournament.
Last Thursday, the Waves demolished San Francisco 4-0 to secure first place in the WCC.
“The girls knew we had to win that game to have a shot at the championship,” Ward said. “They had an unbelievable game. It was one of our best overall performances of the year.”
San Francisco had no chance, as the ladies took the first possession of the game and never let go. The Dons did not gain true possession of the ball until the 34:00 mark of the first half, and had only three shots to Pepperdine’s 35.
“We dedicated this game to our graduating seniors,” sophomore Michelle Pao said. “We wanted to make it memorable for them. We wanted to get our teams out there and have a party on the field.”
The game served as a special one for the seniors.
All four of them were involved with the goals scored. Seniors Laura Cole, Amanda LeCave and Karissa Garcia hit the back of the net, and senior Myriah Stockman assisted on Cole’s goal. Pao scored the fourth goal with 1:13 left in the game.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard,” Ward said. “I’m proud of our seniors. They dug down and made sacrifices this season.
“The WCC is arguably one of the best soccer conferences in the nation, if not in the top three. For us to win is an exceptional achievement. I’m really proud of the whole team.”
In addition to it being the Senior Day game, AYSO players and families were also invited to watch. Despite the chilly weather, the atmosphere of the crowd was electric.
“Would you look at that footwork,” one father raved as Pao dribbled down the field to attempt a goal.
Ward said he hopes that atmosphere carries into the playoff match Saturday as he explained that, although Long Beach is not ranked, winning will not be easy.
“They’re a good opponent, and it’s going to be a tough game,” Ward said. “We’re excited to host and we’ll do our very best. Hopefully our performance being on our field and our home crowd will help us.”
Ranked behind Duke and UCLA, the Waves have a rigorous schedule ahead of them with six games to make it to their ultimate goal: the national championships. However, first they have to get through game one.
At the end of the meeting, the ladies appeared undaunted with the task at hand as they shouted, “Let’s get these guys!”
