No. 15 Pepperdine took on No. 10 Santa Clara University in a top 15 matchup Oct. 9 at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
Pepperdine wrapped up their first week of conference play with a 2-0 conference record and an 8-2-2 overall record, extending their undefeated streak to eight games.
Pepperdine is entering their third conference match following conference wins against Washington State University 3-2 and Gonzaga University 4-3.
Against Santa Clara, the Waves proved they can go toe to toe with one of the best teams in the nation. Freshman goalkeeper Jillian Medvecky spoke about the role defense and goalkeeping have in a game like this.
“We know that we’ll do each other’s job and help each other out when it’s needed,” Medvecky said.
Santa Clara started the game off strong, controlling possession and shifting the game to Pepperdine’s half. In just the fifth minute, Santa Clara scored a goal and took a 1-0 lead.
In the Waves first two conference matchups this season, Pepperdine was fighting from a losing position at some point in the game before bouncing back to win. This game was no different, as the Waves were looking for an early response.
As the Broncos kept possession of the ball, the Waves answered with a heavy press and worked hard to get the ball back. Pepperdine’s hard work showed with the shift in possession.
“Our girls then settled into the game,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “As the first half continued I thought we did a good job changing our shape and getting on top of them. It was a little bit of a chess match.”
Following the setback, the Waves showed promising signs on offense but couldn’t finish their opportunities.
The tone of the game had largely changed for the rest of the first half. Pepperdine shifted the game to Santa Clara’s half and forced the Broncos to fall back on defense much more than the first five minutes had shown.
In the 41st minute of the game, a dangerous cross from the Waves found itself in Santa Clara’s box. Freshman midfielder/forward Ariana Salvador maximized her opportunity and scored a sliding goal into the left side of the net.
Salvador came off the bench for the Waves and scored her first career goal for Pepperdine.
“The moment was definitely surreal, but my favorite part about it was definitely celebrating with the team,” Salvador said. “It was great to share that moment with them.”
Junior midfielder/forward Tatum Wynalda assisted the goal, marking her third goal contribution in three games.
The Waves went into halftime tied 1-1.
The second half remained scoreless but was nothing short of eventful.
In the 53rd minute, the Broncos were in a threatening position in the Waves’ box.
As the shot went off and Santa Clara’s forward went to the floor, the referee’s whistle signaled a penalty. The referee gave Pepperdine graduate defender/forward Victoria Romero a yellow card.
Before the penalty was taken, the referee took a moment to verify the foul, and after review, confirmed the penalty and the yellow card.
Santa Clara stepped up to the spot and failed to hit the target, steering right of the goalpost.
As play continued, Santa Clara’s attack stayed threatening with another goalscoring opportunity coming close as the ball hit the back of the net, but an offside decision disallowed the goal.
Pepperdine’s second half was highlighted by their strong defense. Through all the threatening opportunities Santa Clara posed, the Waves’ defense played a tough half to keep the score even.
“We knew they were gonna come in stronger than they did in the first half, and we just knew we had to react and be strong ourselves,” Medvecky said.
Pepperdine and Santa Clara had close opportunities for the rest of the half and provided plenty of trouble for the opposing defenders.
Around the 73rd minute, Medvecky stepped up to stop a breakaway to keep the game tied.
In the game’s final moments, Santa Clara got another opportunity to score from a free kick. Medvecky was able to stop a threatening header and confirm the draw for the Waves.
Pepperdine completed the game with five shots to Santa Clara’s eight and four saves to Santa Clara’s two. Pepperdine finished with six corners and 14 fouls, and Santa Clara finished with four corner kicks and eight fouls, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Following this win, Pepperdine extended their undefeated streak to nine games, with their most recent loss coming from USC on Aug. 25, 1-3.
The Waves won their next game against University of the Pacific 5-0 Oct. 12.
The Waves play their next game against Loyola Marymount University on Oct. 19 at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
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Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Email Nick Charkhedian: nareg.charkhedian@pepperdine.edu
