The Pepperdine University women’s soccer team put in a strong performance Friday against visiting fourth-ranked UCLA in a hard-fought draw that went to double overtime. A first-half goal from freshman forward Lynn Williams put Pepperdine on top for much of the game, but the Bruins scored just two minutes before the end of regulation to even the score at 1-1. The game ended in a draw after two periods of sudden death overtime did not yield a game-winning goal.
“It’s bittersweet. I thought we had them,” Pepperdine coach Tim Ward said. “We did a really good job. I’m pleased with the tie. It was a great result for us and something to build on. We are finding ways not to lose games and we are learning about ourselves, so we will take it.”
Before a large crowd at Tari Frahm Rokus Field, the Waves held their own against one of the powerhouse programs in women’s college soccer. From 2000 to 2009, UCLA finished ranked in the top-10 each year, including nine top-five finishes, and reached seven consecutive NCAA College Cups (the final four teams in the NCAA tournament) from 2003 to 2009.
UCLA coach B.J. Snow came away from the game impressed by the host Waves.
“Pepperdine has got one heck of a team,” Snow said. “They are well-coached and have great players. We know every time we come here to Pepperdine that it will be an absolute battle. That was the case to say the least. It was a well-contested, 110-minute, hard fought game by both teams.”
Pepperdine forward Lynn Williams scored her fourth goal of the season with 9:18 remaining in the first half on an assist from Karissa Garcia. Williams, a freshman, received a cross pass from Garcia and one-timed the shot into the upper right corner of the net to give the Waves the early 1-0 advantage.
UCLA controlled possession of the ball in the second half as they put more offensive players forward in search of the tying goal. Playing with a sense of urgency, the Bruins finally cracked the Waves’ armor when freshman Ally Courtnall flicked a shot with her right foot past the outstretched arms of Pepperdine goalkeeper Roxanne Barker to tie the game at one apiece with only 2:53 left in the contest.
Barker then prevented the Bruins from claiming a late, unlikely victory by pushing a UCLA shot over the net with a spectacular one-handed save with 2:25 remaining.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the two 10-minute, sudden death overtime periods, which ended in a flurry of activity. The boisterous home crowd rose to its feet in the last minute of the second overtime as the Waves had a golden opportunity to score, but did not convert. UCLA (4-0-1) came right back and missed a shot off the crossbar with 11 seconds left.
“We wanted the win, but it’s not a bad result,” Barker said after finishing with 10 saves. “UCLA is a good team and a team to be respected. Our defense did a really good job. It’s a lot about solidarity in the back line and sacrificing for each other.”
“I’m really proud of the way we performed,” senior defender Myriah Stockman added. “Obviously we would have wanted to win, but the tie is still fine and we are still undefeated at home and still undefeated in our record.”
Returning all but two players from last year’s squad, Pepperdine will look to continue to improve in nonleague action as West Coast Conference play looms in the distance beginning October 6.
“I think our experience is really helping us. We basically return our entire team from last year and added 10 freshmen,” Ward said. “It’s a group that has grown together and been through a lot of wars together. We are progressing as a team.”
Pepperdine now travels to Baton Rouge, La., to play the University of Illinois and Louisiana State University this weekend in the LSU Tournament.