Heck, Rupp Lead Waves to Win Over Tennesssee
9/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The victory improved the Waves’ record to 2-3-1. The Lady Vols fell to 2-4.
“We needed this win in a bad way and our team responded with a gutsy performance,” Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward said. “
Pepperdine led the match from the onset, scoring a goal in the second minute, but didn’t start to breath easy until Rupp (
Senior Emily Wynne (
“She probably doesn’t like this label, but Amanda is our super sub,” Ward said. “She’s been very effective with that scoring streak now going to four games, and I think it’s because she knows how to take advantage of a tired defense. That’s what she did again today and it resulted in two breakaways.”
The Waves’ first goal was the result of keeping and tracking the ball near the goal area – a tactic Pepperdine had been working on in practice this week. Freshman Laura Cole (Whittier, Calif./La Habra HS) served the ball from the near sideline inside the 18-yard box, where it was first headed off the crossbar by Sophia Medina (Downey, Calif./Los Alamitos HS).
Following the rebound, senior Samantha Hire (
“That goal was just what the doctor ordered,” Ward said. “It was a well taken shot and it lifted the spirit of the entire team. That may have been one of the fastest goals scored in our team’s history.”
In between goals, Pepperdine’s defense continually weathered the storm brought on by
The Lady Vols were very adept at maintaining long possessions and often carried an advantage when pressing into their attacking third. They even picked up eight corner kick opportunities. But the Waves were more than determined in keeping them off the board.
In addition to Heck’s (
Ward was quite impressed with Heck’s first collegiate start.
“What an awesome debut, considering she was thrown in the fire last weekend and gave up the game-winner,” he said. “But her response today was a thing of beauty and she just made some great saves for us.”
Pepperdine also finished with 12 shots as five players each recorded two shots.
The Waves look to get over the .500 mark Sunday when they play host to
Sunday also is Malibu AYSO Family Day at Tari Frahm Rokus Field. All Malibu AYSO members and their families with a coupon may purchase tickets at the ticket entrance at a discounted rate of $2 a person.
Ticket coupons will be available in each of the coaches’ boxes at Webster, Bluffs, and Malibu High on Saturday morning.
2008 Pepperdine women’s soccer schedule posters will be available for attending fans, as well as the opportunity to win a Pepperdine mini-soccer ball during a competition at halftime. The Waves’ soccer team will also be available for autographs on the field after the game.
