Pepperdine University’s women’s soccer team is off to a hot start this season, winning eight of 10 matches behind a number of different players.
As the Waves close out non-conference games and head into their nine game conference schedule, Pepperdine coach Tim Ward expects the trend to continue.
“There is a real balance to our attack,” Ward said after Pepperdine’s 2-0 home win over Boise State University on Friday.
“So, I think if teams were trying to scout us it [would be] really difficult to because we have a lot of girls that can put the hurt on you.”
The 8-1-1 Waves have racked up 17 points from nine different players. Lynn Williams leads the Waves with six goals, followed by Taylor Alvarado, who has three, and Meagan Harbison, who has two. Six players have scored a goal each including Ally Holtz, Colby Carson, Courtney Assumma, Hailey Harbison, Meghan Schoen and Rylee Baisden.
“We don’t rely on anyone too heavily,” said Ward. “We just reward the runners that are on and make good decisions with the ball.”
The Waves’ parity on offense has helped push Pepperdine up to No. 12 in the national soccer rankings and led them to key wins over one of the most prestigious soccer programs in the nation and a top-15 rival.
After their game at Cal State Fullerton on Sept. 25, the Waves begin West Coast Conference play on Oct. 5 by hosting Santa Clara University at Pepperdine’s Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
Ward said the Waves, who won the WCC Championship twice, have a chance to be one of the better teams in the conference.
“We have some short-term goals, weekend-by-weekend, of what we are trying to achieve,” he said. “But it’s our goal to try to win another conference championship.”
The Waves win over the Idaho-based Broncos of Boise State was tough-fought. In the game’s first half, Pepperdine attempted 11 shots at the Bronco’s goal – some missed the goal, while others were blocked by Broncos’ goalie Janelle Flores. However, with 20:54 on the clock, senior forward Holtz scored off a pass from sophomore midfielder Colby Carson.
With 65:15 on the clock in the second half, Waves freshman forward Bri Visalli assisted on senior scoring machine Williams’ goal into the lower right corner of the net, which gave Pepperdine a 2-0 lead.
Williams’ goal against Boise State capped off a week in which she was named WCC Player of the Week for the second time in her career and scored three goals, including two game-winning kicks. She is currently second on Pepperdine’s all-time goals scored list with 31 career goals.
Ward said Williams is one of the best players in the country.
“She is an outstanding talent,” he said. “She an outstanding goal-scorer and a great senior leader. Not only does she lead by example but in the games you will hear her saying, ‘Come on ladies, let’s pick it up.’”
Ward also believes Williams has a chance to play at the highest level of soccer on the globe.
“She has always been highly talented, but I believe she has become a bit more sophisticated in the decisions she makes not only with the ball, but without the ball,” he said. “She is becoming more efficient.”
Also key to the Waves’ good start this year has been their defense. In five the last nine games, the defense, anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Seabert and her 33 saves, has not given up a goal.
“They are really stingy on D,” Ward said. “Defensively, we watch and critique, and we feel if we shutout we are going to give ourselves a chance to win every single game.”
Along with their win over Boise State, the Waves have kicked in wins against highly ranked North Carolina and USC teams, the University of Maryland, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Kentucky and Cal Poly. The Waves tied Washington State 0-0 on Sept. 5. Their lone defeat was to No. 1-ranked UCLA on Sept. 7 by a score of 2-0.
Ward said Pepperdine has always had standout teams, but this season is different.
“Game-by-game we seem to be learning about our team, and as we are learning we are able to get results,” he said.