BERKELEY, Calif. – Pepperdine women's soccer (1-2-1) won the first match of the year on the road at Cal, Berkeley (2-1-1) 1-0 Sunday afternoon. 
 
"The reason today's result is so meaningful is because Cal has such a great program," Head Coach Tim Ward said. "Really proud of the girls and the grit, the fight, the control, the composure, the flexibility … I think today we got a little bit better and I am really proud of that."
 
With her first collegiate goal, Lily Stewart headed the game-winner into the back of the net in the 85th minute to secure the first win of the season. 
 
The first half was even in shots with both teams notching four as Pepperdine and Cal struggled to get past each other's back lines.
 
As the second half got underway, it unfolded similarly to the first without a goal through more than 80 minutes of play. With a freekick just outside the box in the 85th minute, Tabitha LaParl soared a perfectly timed ball into the six, finding Lily Stewart's head to dart the ball into the goal and give the Waves a 1-0 advantage.
 
With just over five minutes remaining, the Golden Bears did not have time to equalize as Pepperdine secured the first win of the season, starting the year beating the team that ended the 2024 campaign in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Both teams rattled off six shots on goal, with Cal holding the advantage on total shots 11 to eight. For the first time this season, Pepperdine won the edge on corner kicks five to four, overall holding the possession 51 percent of the time.
 
Securing another six saves on the afternoon, Jillian Medvecky earned her first shutout of the year, averaging 5.75 saves per game.
 
Next up, Pepperdine hosts Ivy-leaguer Columbia Thursday afternoon. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. and the first 100 fans will receive a white retro t-shirt giveaway as the match is a "white out." The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available on pepperdinewaves.com