MALIBU, Calif. – Ellie Sommers of the #9 Pepperdine women's soccer team had a career-high nine saves as the Waves fell 4-0 to #1 UCLA on Sunday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
 
The Waves (6-1-2) and Bruins (7-0-0) were nearly neck and neck with shots at 7-6 in the first half, but UCLA scored first and captured the momentum and never let up before finishing with a 20-8 advantage in shots. Pepperdine was unable to find the back of the net for the first time this season.
 
GOALS
 
UCLA 18': Brianne Riley of UCLA popped up a pass to a perfectly placed spot.  Reilyn Turner of the Bruins jumped over the Waves' defender and headed the ball right into the back of the net.
 
UCLA 61': The Bruins' Maricarmen Reyes sent a cross from the right side of the box that bounced off the foot of UCLA's Bridgette Marin-Valencia and landed at the right foot of Lexi Wright of UCLA. Wright sent a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
 
UCLA 79': The Bruins sent a pass from just inside the left side of the box. Sunshine Fontes of UCLA controlled the ball with her right foot, and then sent a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
 
UCLA 85': UCLA sent a long ball from the defensive side of the field to the offensive side. Two Waves' defenders crashed alongside MacKenzee Vance of UCLA who finished off the play into an open net.
 
STATS
 
Shots: Pepperdine 8, UCLA 20
Shots on goal: Pepperdine 4, UCLA 13
Saves: Ellie Sommers (Pepperdine) 9, Lauren Brzykcy (UCLA) 4
Corner Kicks: Pepperdine 6, UCLA 4
Offsides: Pepperdine 2, UCLA 2
Fouls: Pepperdine 5, UCLA 11
 
QUOTABLE

Head coach Tim Ward said: "Tough game against a very good opponent today. We struggled in the first 10 minutes to cope with their pace and direct play, and their first goal was very well taken, but after that I thought we came back in the game and did quite well. Their second goal in the second half basically sealed the deal for them as there just wasn't a lot of opportunities for either team up until that point. The final score might have been a little harsh on us as I thought we did well for large stretches of the match but having said that, they are very deserving of their national ranking. IIf we can grow from this experience today, it will really help our group moving forward!"

UP NEXT
 
The Waves will open up West Coast Conference play in two weeks by hosting San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 1. The match is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be live on the WCC Network.