Aug. 26, 2005

Box Score

Malibu, Calif. - The Pepperdine women's soccer team kicked off its 2005 campaign in victorious fashion as senior forwards Megan Woods and Jenna Fodor each scored goals in a 2-1 victory over No. 28 Central Florida Friday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

It marked the third straight year and fourth time in the last five years that the Waves have opened their season with a win.

In Friday's season-opener, Pepperdine jumped to a lead at the 18:08 mark when junior defender Courtney Nelson served a ball into the box that Woods received and scored from 10 yards out for the Waves' first goal of the year.

Woods and senior midfielder Kelsey Quane set up Pepperdine's second score as they each were credited with an assist following Fodor's goal at the 21:32 mark. Quane set up the score after feeding the ball to Woods, whose shot rebounded off Central Florida goalkeeper Jennifer Manis to Fodor, who shot the ball into the left side of the goal to give the Waves a 2-0 lead.

Pepperdine controlled the tempo and possession in the first half as the contest was played mostly on Central Florida's end of the field. The Golden Knights managed just one shot during the first 45 minutes.

The Waves held Central Florida scoreless until the 64:21 mark when Roberta Pelarigo received a pass from Jessica Newport and shot the ball into an empty net for the score. Pelarigo had beaten Pepperdine goalkeeper Anna Picarelli to the ball after the Waves' senior came out beyond the box to play it and left the goal open.

The match was closely contested as the Waves held a 9-8 advantage in shots, while the Golden Knights held a 5-3 edge in shots-on-goal.

With a goal and two assists, Woods moved to within one point of tying Jennifer Peterson (1996-97) for sixth place on Pepperdine's all-time points list. Her goal also tied her with Peterson and Kristi Bissonnette (1999-02) for fifth place while her assist tied her with Kristi DeVert (1993-94) and Fodor for eighth place all-time.

Fodor's goal moved her past Tasha Spangler (1999-02) into eighth place on Pepperdine's all-time points list with 48.

"Our seniors came out and set the tone for us early and allowed us to get into a nice rhythm," head coach Tim Ward. "It was good that Megan and Jenna scored as it got their senior seasons off to a good start. Throughout the their careers at Pepperdine they played key roles in the team's success and their play will help determine how far we go this year."

Friday's contest also marked the collegiate debut for three Pepperdine freshmen as Ashley Copp, Amanda Rupp and Emily Wynne saw their first action for the Waves.

Pepperdine returns to action on Sunday when it hosts No. 18 Arizona at Tari Frahm Rokus Field beginning at 1 p.m.