Amanda Rupp: Playing with Passion and Purpose
10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
As a player Ward considers a “blessing,” Rupp has dedicated herself to becoming a better soccer player with each passing day, and now – in the midst of her senior year – is finally reaping the rewards.
Rupp’s hard work and perseverance increased her offensive production through the first three seasons, going from three points as a rookie, to eight as a sophomore and 15 as a junior. Despite this steady year-to-year improvement, most anyone would still be hard pressed to think she’d be able to surpass her 2007 totals through the first 10 matches of 2008.
But she’s done just that and all while coming off the bench. In fact, the 2005 La Costa Canyon High School graduate has only started 14 times though 71 career games.
Thanks to an early season six consecutive match scoring streak and a seven-point outing against
“Amanda has done an incredible job of improving her overall game and I’m proud to see she’s having the season we hoped she would,” Ward said. “She’s been at the field on her own for individual workouts, watches video in the office, and invested herself physically into the summer workout program. The combination of her dedication and experience has equaled a recipe for success.”
Rupp speaks simply of this year’s offensive exploits, revealing little about her on-field success other than it's been about keeping herself in shape and placing herself in the right position to create openings in the defense. By always moving around, Rupp generates more through channels and thus finds herself in a better position to score goals.
“This is my fourth year and I know what to expect and how to train myself,” Rupp said. “I came into preseason camp as prepared as I could, but missed the first few weeks with injuries to my ribs and ankle. Now I consider those injuries a blessing in disguise, because they made me more excited to play and prove myself.”
Even though Rupp’s season has been on the upswing, the same cannot be said as a whole for Pepperdine, which has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows from weekend to weekend.
A 0-2-1 start was quickly followed by three wins in four games, but a winless road trip to
The Bruins are nationally ranked fourth, but could make a case for a higher ranking since they haven’t allowed a goal since the season’s first match on Aug. 26, a 2-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara. UCLA’s current eight-match shutout streak includes wins over
This is a big game for Pepperdine and not because it’s the local rival. The Waves need a win against a marquee school like UCLA and then roll through the ultra-tough West Coast Conference in order to get back on the NCAA selection committee’s radar.
Pepperdine played UCLA to a 1-1 tie a year ago in
“They’re going to be tough, but as long as we keep shooting the ball we’re bound to get one in.” Rupp said. “I expect a good performance from our end, and that we’ll come out with energy and fight. Playing with passion and purpose will be the key.”
“We have a game plan for the Bruins, which I won’t give away, but we need focus on it for 90 minutes,” added Ward. “We’ve matched well with them the last few years, and the girls are up for this opportunity to knock over a giant. It’ll be interesting to see where we’re at if we pick can up a major victory.”
The Waves haven’t beat the Bruins since 1993, meaning Ward will have a story to sell on the recruiting trail as inspiring as Rupp’s if they’re able to pull off the season’s biggest upset.
Pepperdine and UCLA kick off at Drake Stadium Friday at 7 p.m.
