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After a disappointing 2007 campaign of mixed results and missed expectations, the Pepperdine women’s soccer team, piloted by a veteran core of six juniors and six seniors, is determined to do in 2008 what it has not done since 2005 — get back to the NCAA Tournament and become a powerhouse in the West Coast Conference.
“Our team goals are pretty straightforward,” said Head Coach Tim Ward, entering his 11th season at the helm of the women’s soccer program. “We want to win the majority of our games. We want to return to the top 25 in national rankings. We want to go in to the last weekend of the year seriously challenging for the [WCC] crown.”
Ward, who brings an impressive 163-99-33 record as Waves’ head coach into the 2008 season, said he aspires for this year’s team to replicate the winning drive that was present in the successful Pepperdine women’s soccer programs of the not-so-distant past.
“We aren’t talking a whole lot about last year,” Ward said. “If we look in the past, we want to look at those great Pepperdine teams of the past.”
Two years ago, in 2006, Ward and his squad posted an 11-6-3 record that notched a third place finish in the WCC. However, the Waves were denied a spot in the NCAA Tournament, a decision that was questioned by many, especially Ward. Just one season earlier, Pepperdine reached the tourney for its fifth consecutive year and advanced to the Sweet 16, finishing at 15th best in the country.
But the road back to the tourney will not be an easy one, as the Waves are slated to face five nationally ranked opponents during the course of the 2008 season. Their toughest match on paper is scheduled for Oct. 3, when they travel across the 405 to take on No. 2-ranked UCLA.
But, Ward remains optimistic that this year’s squad can play with anybody.
“There is no reason this team can’t compete and win every game on their schedule,” Ward said.
Most of the Waves’ roster from last year is still in tact. The team lost seniors Mckenzie Hill, Katie Rokus and Loretta Younkin, as well as freshmen Kylie McDonald, Nicole Romanowski and Sage Coralli, who transferred. But, they also added eight freshman recruits to compliment their veteran nucleus.
“This year, our senior class is a lot bigger [than last year],” said senior defender Kelsey Baker. “Most of us … are natural leaders, whether it be verbally or by action on and off the field. This year, we’re really trying to instill that everyone is a leader in their own way.”
Baker, who anchors the Waves’ starting defense, which also includes sophomores Cammie Burke and Haleigh Guertin, is one of six seniors on Ward’s squad.
Seniors Emily Wynne and Amanda Rupp and juniors Courtney Price, Sophia Medina and Alexis Farler will lead the offensive attack. At midfield, the Waves will deploy junior Joanna Idom and senior Samantha Hire, with senior Ashley Copp and junior Kelly Reilly also seeing playing time.
Senior Kayla Stolte will be the Waves’ starting goalkeeper for the third straight year. She compiled 73 saves and recorded three shutouts in 2007.
“I think she’s poised to have her best season ever,” Ward said of Stolte. “Her experience now will bode well for her and her defense in front of her.”
One factor that could work in the Waves’ favor is the distribution of home versus road games on their slate. The first seven matches of the year will take place at Tari Frahm Rokus Field in Malibu, where the Waves have a .729 winning percentage in 15 seasons. Pepperdine will also play three of its final four regular season games on its home turf.
“Playing at home, you have the advantage,” Baker said. “You train there every day, you’re used to the conditions of the weather and climate and field and its surroundings. You have all your fans there. It should give us a really solid foundation.”
On the flip side, the imbalance of home games at the beginning of the season means the Waves must push through a daunting stretch in late September through October, in which they are on the road for eight of nine match-ups. They will end a six game road trip in Portland, Ore., against the Pilots, who were picked to win the conference. But, Pepperdine was faced with a similar trial in 2007, when they opened the season on the road and played their first four games away from Malibu.
“I think this team has grown a lot from that experience,” Ward said. “I think this team is going to be capable of winning anywhere we’re at.”
Lose to Fullerton Late
Pepperdine was handed its first loss Saturday, when it dropped a 1-0 contest at home to Cal State Fullerton in the 2008 season opener. Just before the 71-minute mark, Titans’ forward Tiffany Craig delivered a diagonal shot that scored the only goal of the match.
Stolte racked up six saves to keep the Waves within striking distance. Pepperdine made a late push, as a penalty kick by Rupp in the 84th minute missed its mark, followed by shots from Reilly, Copp and freshman Laura Cole in the 86th minute that were blocked by Titan defenders. But, they were unable to score the equalizing goal and took the loss.
The Waves continue their homestand this weekend. They will host Arizona State on Friday and UC Santa Barbara on Sunday.
Submitted 08-25-2008
MALIBU, CA
