MALIBU, California – Joelle Anderson of the Pepperdine women's soccer team has been named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, while she and teammate Trinity Watson have been picked to the West Coast Conference's preseason all-league team.
 
Anderson is one of a number of recent Waves to receive MAC Hermann Trophy recognition, which is the most prestigious award in college soccer and is presented annually to the national player of the year. Hailey Harbison made the watch list in 2018, while Lynn Williams and Bri Visalli were semifinalists for the award in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
 
Additionally, the Waves were picked to finish third in the WCC in the preseason coaches poll, trailing just BYU and Santa Clara.
 
Anderson (San Jose, Calif./Harker School), a senior midfielder/forward, is a three-time All-WCC selection (2019 first team and 2017 and 2018 second team) and a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-West Region pick (2019 first team and 2017 second team). She heads into this season having accumulated 21 goals (tied for ninth in program history), 13 assists and 55 points. Anderson was picked by the Houston Dash in the third round of the NWSL Draft two weeks ago.
 
Watson (Ocean Beach, Calif./Point Loma HS), a junior defender, received United Soccer Coaches All-West Region second team and All-WCC first team status in 2019, helping Pepperdine post 10 shutouts in 20 matches. She had three goals and one assist.
 
The Waves, who had their fall 2020 season delayed to spring 2021, open the regular season on February 4 at USC, and begin WCC play on February 20 at home against Santa Clara.
 
In 2019, Pepperdine went 11-6-3, finishing third in the WCC while making it to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in program history. The Waves return eight starters and 17 letterwinners, including five of the top six goal-scorers and their entire defensive back line.
 
WCC Preseason Coaches Poll: 1. BYU, 2. Santa Clara, 3. Pepperdine, 4. Gonzaga, 5. Portland, 6. San Francisco, 7. San Diego, 8. Loyola Marymount, 9. Saint Mary's, 10. Pacific.
 
Preseason All-WCC Team: Joelle Anderson (Pepperdine), Mikayla Colohan (BYU), Isabella D'Aquila (Santa Clara), Julie Doyle (Santa Clara), Alex Loera (Santa Clara), Taryn Ries (Portland), Jamie Shepherd (BYU), Jordan Thompson (Gonzaga), Cameron Tucker (BYU), Kelsey Turnbow (Santa Clara), Trinity Watson (Pepperdine).