The #22 Pepperdine women's soccer team lost a close battle to the University of California, Berkeley 2-1 in double overtime Saturday afternoon at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.
In the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Waves fell to the Golden Bears after the two squads battled for over 100 minutes of play. Pepperdine found themselves down, but battled back in the second half to push the game to overtime. Due to a change in NCAA rules this year, overtime is subject to golden goal rules and as soon as one team finds the back of the net, the match is over.
The first half was a defensive-centric half, but Cal would find the back of the net first. In the 33rd minute, Alexis Wright scored her fifth goal of the year. A cross from the right side of the field found the foot of Wright to put it in the near post.
Pepperdine trailed 0-1 after 45 minutes.
Switching momentum and staying in the attacking third of the pitch, the Waves were determined to find the equalizer. Just 14 minutes after the second half began in the 59th minute, Pepperdine broke through. A corner kick by redshirt junior
Tabitha LaParl (Lakewood, Calif.) found the head of sophomore
Peyton Leonard (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) for her fourth goal of the year, all coming on headers.
The next 30 minutes were fought with chances from both squads, but neither were able to find the winner in regulation.
Overtime is two 10 minute periods before going to penalty kicks. Through the first 10 minute half, it was evident both teams wanted the win. Graduate
Tori Waldeck (Newhall, Calif.) was on the hunt with four shots throughout the game, with three of them being on target.
The second overtime period started chaotic. Both teams struggled to possess the ball and it seemed as though penalties would be the deciding factor. With just four minutes left in the second overtime, Cal got the ball in the back of the net off a corner kick to win 2-1.
Team 32 for the Pepperdine women's soccer team ends the season as the 14th team to earn a postseason berth, the seventh team to earn a first round home game, and just the fifth team in Pepperdine history to win a WCC championship title.
"We love them all and we're so very grateful for the seniors and the way they led this group all fall. Amazing women of character. Thank you Waves." -- Head Coach Tim Ward
"Just incredibly proud of this team and of this season! Today's game was a great one played by two really good teams and we know we had our chances to win that game. I thought they were better than us in the first half and then I thought we did a beautiful job coming back in the game in both the second half and overtime periods," Head coach
Tim Ward said. "To lose it is a massive gut punch but having said that, I don't know if I've ever been more proud of a group of Wave Warriors! The way these women have loved and sacrificed for one another all season both on and off of the soccer field this year is inspiring!
GOALS
33' | Cal snuck a goal in by the near post on a cross from the right side of the field
59' | Leonard notched another header goal thanks to the corner from LaParl, giving the Waves life with 30 to play in regulation.
106' | After a Cal corner bounced around in the box, Courtney Boone knocked it past the defensive line and into the goal.
STATS
Shots: Pepperdine 10, Cal 15
Shots on Goal: Pepperdine 6, Cal 5
Saves:
Jillian Medvecky (Pepperdine) 3, Teagan Wy (Cal) 5
Corner Kicks: Pepperdine 3, Cal 8
Fouls: Pepperdine 12, Cal 11
Offsides: Pepperdine 7, Cal 0
