Box Score Oct. 29, 2017

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Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. " The No. 12 Pepperdine women's soccer team dominated the run of play in every way except for on the scoreboard on Sunday afternoon, playing to a scoreless draw with Saint Mary's in a West Coast Conference matchup. It was the team's program record 12th shutout of the season.

The Waves, who move to 13-2-3 overall and 7-0-1 WCC, still control their own destiny as they lead the conference standings and will have a chance to win an outright conference title and secure and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a win in their regular-season finale next Saturday against Portland. Saint Mary's moves to 6-10-1 overall and 2-5-1 after picking up their first tie of the season.

Pepperdine amassed 32 shots in the game to just two for the Gaels, put 12 balls on target to just one for Saint Mary's and had an 11-1 corner kick advantage. Getting the first start of her collegiate career, Gaels' freshman goalkeeper Maleah Milner had the game of her life, stopping a career-high 11 shots, including several in spectacular fashion.

Pepperdine had several chances in overtime to pick up the win, with a free kick from just outside the box going wide and a last-second shot by Meagan Harbison (Rancho Penasquitos, Calif./Westview HS) in the box saved by Milner. Alex Marmureanu (Los Angeles, Calif./Marymount HS/Texas Tech) also got in behind the Gaels defense halfway through the first overtime, but Milner charged off her line and deflected the shot away.

Pepperdine's best chance of the day may have come in the 55th minute, when Joelle Anderson (San Jose, Calif./Harker School) had what looked like a clean look at the goal, but her shot was saved off the line by a Saint Mary's defender.

The Waves' offense was working against a crowded Saint Mary's half of the field for most of the game, as the Gaels were stifled by the Pepperdine defense all day and only got out on a few counterattacks. Pepperdine has still allowed just one goal in WCC play this year.

STATS

• Shots " Pepperdine 32, Saint Mary's 2
• Shots on Goal " Pepperdine 12, Saint Mary's 1
• Saves " Brielle Preece (PEPP) 1, Maleah Milner (SMC) 11
• Corners " Pepperdine 11, Saint Mary's 1
• Fouls " Pepperdine 13, Saint Mary's 9

UP NEXT

Pepperdine hosts its regular-season finale next weekend, taking on Portland at 1 p.m. in Malibu. The Waves will honor their seniors prior to the game.