SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For just the second time in the program's history, Pepperdine women's soccer (11-6-2, 8-2-1 WCC) clinched back-to-back West Coast Conference titles with a 3-1 win over San Francisco this afternoon.
 
This is Pepperdine's sixth overall championship, and just second title won outright.
 
"Where do I begin to start to describe such an amazing and resilient group of Wave Warriors and now also known as back to back WCC Champions," head coach Tim Ward said.
 
"First of all, we want to thank our Lord and Savior for blessing us," Ward said. "He's been authoring a story on our behalf that we will get to cherish for the rest of our lives; a story of what can happen when you remain faithful and persevere."
 
Going into the match against the Dons, the Waves knew they had to win to stay alive in the title race.
 
Coming off a 0-1 loss at home versus Portland, Pepperdine wanted to end the regular season on a high note.
 
Scoring in the 21st minute, Tatum Wynalda got her fifth of the year to give Pepperdine the lead. The header goal was Wynalda's first since playing Pacific in Malibu Oct. 4.
 
Headed into half with a one-goal advantage, the Waves wanted more.
 
A beautiful service from Ariana Salvador in the 72nd minute would land at the feet of Julia Quinonez, who doubled the Waves' lead with her 10th goal of the season.
 
Not even two minutes later, Quinonez did it again to put the cherry on top of the cake for the Waves. A corner from Wynalda ricochet off Peyton Leonard's head to the far goal post, landing right in front of Quinonez to give her ample opportunity to poke it in for goal number 11 on the season.
 
Despite the Dons getting one back, it would not be enough to overcome the Waves as they secured the 3-1 victory to close out the regular season.
 
"From the way our seniors 'led and bled' for the cause all the way through every player and every class; what this team embodies is something the University can truly be proud of," Ward said.
 
Eleven of Pepperdine's 15 shots were on frame, good for an on-goal percentage of .733. Jillian Medvecky had five saves this afternoon, including two in the final seconds of the match.
 
With five points today, Julia Quinonez had a hand in all three of the Waves' goals.
 
At the end of the match, the Waves shook out to the top of the West Coast Conference table, finishing with 25 points, just ahead of Saint Mary's who finished with 24.
 
Finishing with an 8-2-1 conference record, Pepperdine has only won eight conference games one other time in history when they went 8-0-1 in 2017, which also happens to be the only other year the Waves took home the title outright as well as in back-to-back years (2016 & 2017).
 
"On behalf of the team and staff, we're so grateful that we get to work and grow at a university that celebrates these kinds of 'faith journeys,'" Ward said.
 
The Waves will tune into the NCAA Selection Show Monday at 1:00 p.m. to learn the first round opponent.
 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S SOCCER
Pepperdine women's soccer has been competitive since season one in 1993. As just the third head coach in the program's history, Tim Ward has led the Waves to 14 NCAA tournament appearances, winning the West Coast Conference five separate times and taking his squad to the round of 16 four times, most recently in 2021. With 23 winning seasons, Ward has proven he can lead consistently with excellence, garnering an overall record of 320-156-78.
 
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