Pepperdine Women’s Soccer tied the no. 18 Georgetown Hoyas at Tari Frahm Rokus Field on Aug. 17, with a final score of 1-1. Without a cloud in sight, the California sun beat down on the field in 80-degree weather.
The relatively young Waves faced off against the older, more experienced Hoyas. Last year, the Hoyas made it to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer tournament, according to the NCAA. After a scoreless first half, the Hoyas made the game 0-1 during the second half, only for the Waves to score a last-minute goal to tie the game up once more.
“It was one of those games,” said Head Coach Tim Ward. “We put them on the schedule so we could actually learn about who we are.”
New faces that made an appearance in the spring season took the pitch for the Waves’ first official match of the 2023 fall season.
Although the Hoyas seemed to have an advantage early on, taking a corner kick within the first minute, the game soon hit a stalemate. Physical play and staunch defensive performances from both teams marked the first half. This included senior midfielder Julianna Duckett, who broke up several Hoyas pushes.
Duckett’s defensive play would help redshirt junior defender Kam Pickett build fast breaks as she sprinted down the right wing of the field. However, a lack of offensive support hindered scoring.
“My most intense moment was having a three versus one by myself just dribbling down the line and then getting fouled,” Pickett said.
At halftime, the score was 0-0. The Waves came out into the second half with less energy, Ward said.
“Your legs get a bit heavy, and you’re feeling like you’re without oxygen,” Ward said. “And it looked a little bit at times that we were playing without oxygen.”
This was, in part, due to the Waves’ general youthfulness — as opposed to the far more experienced graduate students on the Hoyas — Ward said.
With the Waves exhausted, Georgetown finally broke through. Hoyas sophomore forward Natalie Means scored a goal in the 67th minute.
Looking to respond and draw the game back into a tie, the Waves moved into a slightly more aggressive formation, subbing in sophomore midfielder/forward Tatum Wynalda for senior co-captain midfielder/forward Tori Waldeck.
There was no progression until the 83rd minute when Hoyas junior midfielder Eliza Turner drew a yellow card, awarding the Waves a free kick. Senior co-captain midfielder Skyler Enge took the kick — growing into the role that Shelby Little, alumna midfielder and former Graphic staff member, had filled last season.
Enge’s kick allowed the Waves to keep the ball on the Hoya’s side of the field, resulting in several near goals, including one where Hoyas graduate keeper Allie Augur made a last-second save, interrupting Pickett’s attempted cross to redshirt freshman defender/forward Kendall Campbell.
In the 86th minute, the Waves were awarded yet another free kick, this time in Hoyas territory.
“We knew once we had that foul right outside the box,” said sophomore midfielder Karina Gonzalez. “We really train for those.”
Enge took the kick once more, placing it in front of the goal. The ball bounced around for a few seconds with frantic energy. Campbell, once more with an opportunity, lobbed the ball over to Wynalda, who had the finishing touch, sending the ball into the goal.
The Waves shifted back into a more protective formation for the last four minutes, leaving the score a 1-1 stalemate at the end of full time.
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Contact Max Pohlenz via email maximilian.pohlenz@pepperdine.edu
