Women’s Soccer Adds Maddi Desiano to Coaching Staff
7/16/2026 10:07:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine women's soccer adds assistant coach Maddi Desiano to the staff ahead of the 2026 season, head coach Tim Ward announced Thursday.
"We're so very excited about the arrival of Maddi Desiano into the Waves family," Ward said. "She brings an incredible wealth of unique experiences as a player of the highest level."
"She's been to the 'mountaintop' as a collegiate player but also had to journey through the valleys to get there," Ward continued. "Her recent time as a pro was also a really sweet and formative period for her and I truly believe that her lived experiences will serve our players incredibly well.
Most importantly, I do believe it's her character that will bless these Wave women. She is a remarkable young woman and we're so excited to have her join us on this amazing adventure we call Pepperdine Soccer."
Desiano, a 2022 UCLA graduate, has been a part of three professional soccer leagues, most recently with Spokane Zephyr FC in the USL Gainbridge Super League.
As a Bruin, Desiano played four seasons with UCLA, securing two PAC 12 Championships and the NCAA National Championship in 2022. Drafted 48th in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Desiano started her professional career in Texas with the Houston Dash. Going overseas for one year after two seasons with the Dash, the San Clemente, Calif. native played in the first division in Denmark for a year and a half before for the Odense Boldklub landing back in the states with Spokane Zephyr FC.
Outside of soccer, Desiano recently published her first book: "Bend Never Break," a biographical book retelling the story of the 2022 UCLA Women's soccer run to the National Championship, where she played every minute on the backline.
"I am so incredibly excited to join an elite program and become a part of the Wave Family," Desiano said. "I am grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to get to work with this amazing team and staff. Go Waves!"
TICKETS
For season tickets and information on our upcoming events, visit pepperdinewaves.com/tickets.
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, winning the West Coast Conference six separate times and taking his squad to the round of 16 four times, most recently in 2021. With 24 winning seasons, Ward has proven he can lead consistently with excellence, garnering an overall record of 320-158-78.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's soccer news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWSOC.
"We're so very excited about the arrival of Maddi Desiano into the Waves family," Ward said. "She brings an incredible wealth of unique experiences as a player of the highest level."
"She's been to the 'mountaintop' as a collegiate player but also had to journey through the valleys to get there," Ward continued. "Her recent time as a pro was also a really sweet and formative period for her and I truly believe that her lived experiences will serve our players incredibly well.
Most importantly, I do believe it's her character that will bless these Wave women. She is a remarkable young woman and we're so excited to have her join us on this amazing adventure we call Pepperdine Soccer."
Desiano, a 2022 UCLA graduate, has been a part of three professional soccer leagues, most recently with Spokane Zephyr FC in the USL Gainbridge Super League.
As a Bruin, Desiano played four seasons with UCLA, securing two PAC 12 Championships and the NCAA National Championship in 2022. Drafted 48th in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Desiano started her professional career in Texas with the Houston Dash. Going overseas for one year after two seasons with the Dash, the San Clemente, Calif. native played in the first division in Denmark for a year and a half before for the Odense Boldklub landing back in the states with Spokane Zephyr FC.
Outside of soccer, Desiano recently published her first book: "Bend Never Break," a biographical book retelling the story of the 2022 UCLA Women's soccer run to the National Championship, where she played every minute on the backline.
"I am so incredibly excited to join an elite program and become a part of the Wave Family," Desiano said. "I am grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to get to work with this amazing team and staff. Go Waves!"
TICKETS
For season tickets and information on our upcoming events, visit pepperdinewaves.com/tickets.
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, winning the West Coast Conference six separate times and taking his squad to the round of 16 four times, most recently in 2021. With 24 winning seasons, Ward has proven he can lead consistently with excellence, garnering an overall record of 320-158-78.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's soccer news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWSOC.
