MACK CARROLL/Staff Photographer
TAYLOR BIRD
Sports Assistant
The women’s soccer team battled No.-6 UCLA to a 1-1 tie Friday, on a rainy afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field in Malibu.
The game was scoreless until the 42nd minute, when UCLA forward Lauren Cheney delivered a goal that Waves’ Head Coach Tim Ward described as incredible.
“The goal they scored [in the first half] was tremendous,” Ward said. “That was a ridiculous individual effort and a fantastic strike.”
Pepperdine (1-4-2) answered just back minutes later. With only 1:59 remaining in the first period, sophomore forward Sophia Medina received the ball from the right wing and crossed to the middle to slip the ball into the goal for a 1-1 tie.
“That’s the first time all year we’ve gone down and come back,” Ward said. “And to do it against a nationally-ranked team like UCLA is really a testament to how hard the girls have been working.”
The rain started falling in the second half, and each side looked for chances to take the lead. The Waves were out-shot 4-1 in the second period, but junior goalkeeper Kayla Stolte saved two to keep the score tied at the end of regulation.
“Our defensive unit today, Kayla included…played great,” Ward said.
The Waves barely missed the go-ahead goal just three minutes into the first overtime period, when junior defender Ashley Copp smashed a free kick that deflected off the top of the goal.
Stolte saved two more goals in overtime, and the match ended in a 1-1 tie.
“This was definitely a big step for us, to come back from being down for the first time this season,” said sophomore forward Courtney Price. “We’re really pumped right now, and we keep taking steps forward.”
Ward was also pleased by the effort his players showed versus UCLA.
“You can’t really single anyone out because it was a tremendous team effort,” Ward said. “Everybody that stepped on the field today did a great job. Hopefully this is another result we can just build on.”
The Waves will continue their homestand next Friday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m., against the University of Utah.
09-21-2007