Waves Take Record Fifth Draw of Season

MALIBU, Calif. Â The Pepperdine women’s soccer team set a dubious school record with its fifth tie of the season after settling for a 1-1 draw against Hawaii on Sunday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

The Waves (2-4-5) are riding a six-game unbeaten streak, but four of the ties have come in the last five games. Pepperdine finished its seven-game homestand today with two wins, one loss and four ties.

The Waves scored on a first-half goal from junior forward Amanda Rupp (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon HS), but the Rainbow Wahine evened the game in the 80th minute on a goal by sophomore forward Ambree Ako.

“What’s unfortunate is that we have been playing really well, and we played really well again today, but the same thing keeps happening,” Pepperdine Coach Tim Ward said. “We need to be able to kill a game off or put the final nail in the coffin. A lot of teams would be pleased with ties but the way we’re playing, it’s unfortunate. I’m proud of our team because we’re playing positive attacking soccer and we’re playing to win. We just have to get better.”

Pepperdine held Hawaii (7-3-2) without a shot in the first half and the game looked like it would be scoreless at the break until junior defender Kelsey Baker (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School), from the Waves’ defensive end, sent a long pass upfield for Rupp. Rupp sprinted past the defense, took the ball into the box and beat the goalkeeper for her team-high fourth goal of the season at 44:09. Rupp has scored the first goal of the game in three of the last four contests, though all three ended in ties.

The second half saw more chances for both teams, and Hawaii made one count late. Freshman midfielder Nicole Mikula dribbled her way out of trouble in the left corner, then sent in a cross that met the foot of Ako right in front of the goal. It was Ako’s fifth tally of the season and it came at 79:11.

Pepperdine outshot Hawaii, 14-6, and had a 7-3 edge on corner kicks. Hawaii junior goalkeeper Kori Lu made eight saves, while Pepperdine junior Kayla Stolte (Santee, Calif./West Hills HS) made three.

The Waves play their final non-conference game this Thursday (Oct. 11) at UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m., then begin West Coast Conference play on Sunday (Oct. 14) at home against Loyola Marymount at 1 p.m.

PEP (2-4-5)           1      0      0      0      =      1

UH (7-3-2)             0      1      0      0      =      1

Goals: Amanda Rupp (Kelsey Baker), PEP, 44:09; Ambree Ako (Nicole Mikula), UH, 79:11.

Shots: PEP 14, UH 6.        Corner Kicks: PEP 7, UH 3.        Saves: PEP 4, UH 8.        Fouls: PEP 17, UH 12.

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