MALIBU, Calif.  – The Pepperdine women's soccer team fell 2-1 to #23 Santa Clara in a nail-biting match on Saturday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field. This was the regular-season West Coast Conference finale.
 
The Waves (9-4-5, 3-3-3 WCC) went ahead early on a penalty kick, but two second-half goals for the Broncos (10-6-3, 7-0-2 WCC) propelled them to the win. Both teams had equal possession for about the first 60 minutes, but the Broncos picked up the pace for the final half-hour to earn the comeback win, and clinch the WCC title.
 
This game was the Waves' Senior Day and they honored Carlee Giammona, Kelsey Hill, Alex Hobbs, Shelby Little, Leyla McFarland, Helen Schaefer and Trinity Watson.
 
GOALS
 
Pepperdine 18': Senior midfielder Carlee Giammona (Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde HS/Alabama) was fouled on the left side of the box. Giammona earned a penalty kick that senior defender Trinity Watson (Ocean Beach, Calif./Point Loma HS) successfully converted on. This was Watson's second goal of the season and her eighth penalty kick of her career, which is also a new school record.
 
Santa Clara 73': The Broncos' Annie Karich sent the ball up the left side of the field to Colby Barnett. Barnett sent a cross towards the right side of the box and Santa Clara's Ellie Glenn hit a perfect one-timer from about 10 yards out into the back of the net.
 
Santa Clara 84': As the Waves tried to clear the ball from midfield, on the deflection, Karich sent a right-footed pass to Izzy D'Aquilla, who sent a rocket from about 30 yards out into the back of the net.
 
STATS

Shots: Pepperdine 5, Santa Clara 12
Shots on Goal: Pepperdine 4, Santa Clara 4
Saves: Harlee Head (Pepperdine) 2, Marlee Nicolos (Santa Clara) 3
Corner Kicks: Pepperdine 0, Santa Clara 7
Offsides: Pepperdine 6, Santa Clara 3
Fouls: Pepperdine 19, Santa Clara 9

QUOTABLE 

Head coach Tim Ward said: "Congratulations to the Broncos on the WCC championship, their WCC results were impressive. 

"And to our team and to our seniors, just wanted to say thank you! I know we're all hoping that we might have a postseason game in us, but whatever the committee decides, we're extremely proud of this group. We've played 19 games this fall and have only lost four, all of that while dealing with an injury list the likes of which I've never seen in my 29 years of coaching. I'm proud that our team was able to stay positive and hardworking through it all. These really are special young women of character. 

"And to our seniors on senior day, I just want to say thank you, thank you for all you are, all you have given and all the joy you have brought into this Pepperdine community. We're so proud of you!"
 
UP NEXT
 
The Waves are believed to be on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show for the postseason will be on Monday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. PT streamed live at NCAA.com