STANFORD, Calif. — The Pepperdine women's soccer team's season came to an end with a 3-0 loss to the No. 2 Stanford Cardinal in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament on Friday night.
The Waves (9-5-5, 6-2 WCC) looked to pull a major upset in their 13th postseason appearance, but the Cardinal (16-0-4, 8-0-3 Pac 12) scored two goals early in the second period to put Pepperdine at arm's length for good.
"Congratulations to Stanford; they're excellent," Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward said. "I actually thought our performance was really solid tonight. I'm really proud of the ladies."
While Stanford controlled possession in the early goings, Pepperdine strung together a few early chances thanks to a few runs from Tori Waldeck and Ava Verplancke up front. Just as Pepperdine became more aggressive offensively, Stanford broke through with a top-shelf strike from Jasmine Aikey — the Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year — in the 32nd minute. Stanford would take a 1-0 lead into the break, yet the Waves still hung around in the second period.
After both teams combined for zero corner kicks in the first period, the Cardinal scored on their first corner kick opportunity in the 52nd minute. Aikey's cross caromed off a pair of players beside the near post, bounced off the turf, and found Kennedy Wesley, who gathered the ball and struck the ball through with her right foot.
"In the second half, we told our team to stay in the game," Ward said. "Anything could happen. But the moment the second goal went in was tough. We scouted that set piece — I don't know if the ball skipped in — but it was a bit unfortunate. At that point, that was the game."
Then in the 75th minute, Stanford's Andrea Kitahata scored on the break, as Shae Harvey found Kitihata just outside the box, who slotted a right-footed shot just inside the near post. The 3-0 score held, giving Stanford a matchup against South Carolina in the second round.
"I told the team after the game that I'm proud of this team, what we've been through, and what we've overcome," Ward said. "It hasn't been an easy season on a lot of fronts — whether it's injuries or the events that have happened at Pepperdine. But through it all, they've done an amazing job of being light, honest and strong."
Friday's game marked the final game for seniors Skylar Enge, Julianna Duckett, Alex Sampson, CC Maloof and Kam Pickett — who, despite sustaining a season-ending injury earlier this fall, was still on the sidelines with the Waves.
"To our departing seniors, what an incredible group of Waves," Ward said. "I'm so proud of their careers and what they've blessed us with all they've given to our program. It's a special group of women, and we couldn't be more proud of who they are, what they represent and how they've conducted themselves. They're all-time Waves for sure."
STATS
Shots: Pepperdine 8, Stanford 16
Shots on Goal: Pepperdine 4, Stanford 7
Saves: Taylor Rath (Pepperdine) 4, Ryan Campbell (Stanford) 4
Corner Kicks: Pepperdine 1, Stanford 4
Fouls: Pepperdine 10, Stanford 11
Offsides: Pepperdine 1, Stanford 1
