Section
Pepperdine Links
Online Publications
Despite sound victories during the weekend, Pepperdine (7-1) dropped two notches in the NSCAA/Adidas poll to No. 8, but remained at No. 5 by Soccer American and No. 6 by Soccer Buzz.
“What happens in the rankings is that sometimes you’re a victim of your schedule,” said Head Coach Tim Ward. “I just don’t think we should drop after winning both our games. But we have benefited from that same rationalization.”
Pepperdine will try to gain that ground back this weekend as it travels to Colorado where it faces Colorado College (3-3-1) Friday and Wake Forest (5-1-1) Sunday.
After four consecutive shutouts, Pepperdine finally allowed a goal in a convincing 4-1 victory over Xavier Friday. Their suffocating defense promptly responded with a shutout of Oregon State 2-0 Sunday.
The Waves may have trouble breathing when they try to extend their six-game winning streak this weekend.
“We have (sophomore) Lisa Steepleton from Colorado,” said senior Lacey Ubaldi, who has scored a goal in four consecutive games. “And she’s given us tips on how to handle the thin air.”
Colorado College will have a significant home field advantage at Colorado’s high altitude, where it is 3-1-1 this year and just 0-2 on the road.
“Some people call Colorado College a potential banana peel,” said Ward. “But I don’t think they will be.”
Last year, the Tigers went undefeated at Stewart Field, and they own a .841 all-time winning percentage when playing on their campus.
After playing the home team, the Waves will face Wake Forest, who received votes in Soccer Buzz’s national poll.
Although Wake Forest has yet to crack the top 25, they are ranked No. 5 in the strong Southeast Region.
With victories in both games last weekend, the Waves are nearing the Pepperdine record for most consecutive victories, currently at eight. The record was set during the 2000 season and equaled by last year’s squad. The Waves can again match the record by sweeping the series this weekend.
Pepperdine dominated both games last weekend, out-shooting Xavier 17-2 and Oregon State 21-8 and holding each to just one shot-on-goal.
Ward credits his three seniors with providing the Waves with their solid start to the season. Anchoring the Waves’ victories were defender Mary Stuart’s solid defense in the back, midfielder Janelle Hillseth creating in the middle and forward Ubaldi generating goals up front.
Ubaldi continued her climb in the Pepperdine record books with three goals and two assists over the weekend. The Waves’ forward is now tied for second all time on Pepperdine’s career points list with 70. Ubaldi is also second on Pepperdine’s all-time assists (20) and third in goals (25).
Exemplifying the team chemistry displayed thus far from the Waves, Ubaldi deflects credit for her individual accomplishments.
“You get set up by your teammates,” said Ubaldi. “It’s a whole team effort, and they’ve given me the opportunities. You’ve got to get the ball up to the forward somehow.”
Ubaldi’s charge into the record books may be delayed, however, after suffering an ankle sprain in the Oregon State game that kept her out of practice the first part of the week.
“The girl should have been red-carded,” said Ward of the contact that took Ubaldi out of the game. “But she wasn’t. Lacey’s used to it. Because she’s such a good dribbler, people take shots at her.”
Ward expects Ubaldi back soon, but he recognized that the injury might nag his star goal producer for the remainder of the season.
Oregon State represents the lone team both Wake Forest and Pepperdine have both matched up against this season. Wake Forest, which is riding a five-game winning streak heading into action this week, recorded a 1-0 victory while Pepperdine came out on top 2-0.
Submitted September 25, 2003
MALIBU, CA
