Women’s Soccer Takes on First Road Trip to Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas. – Pepperdine women's soccer (2-0-1) hits the road for the first time this season, facing Texas Tech (2-0-1) Thursday before heading to Baylor (2-1) for the inaugural matchup between the two programs.

"We're excited to play two wonderful opponents on the road in great venues in great college towns," Head Coach Tim Ward said. "You learn a little bit about yourself when you have to go in front of the fans of the opponent."

For the first time ever in Malibu, the Waves defeated Cal 1-0 last Thursday for the squad's second win over the Bears in two years.
Sam Hosford scored the lone goal as the third player, and second freshman, to score this season.

GAME NOTES

Unanimous among the WCC coaches poll, Pepperdine was picked to finish first in the conference this year.
The trio of seniors: Peyton Leonard, Kyra Murphy, and Julia Quinonez were selected to the preseason all-conference team, the third year in a row the Waves have had three honorees make the squad.
On their respective MAC Hermann Trophy positional players to watch, Leonard and Quinonez were recognized as returners who made the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team last season.
In the final year with no postseason tournament for the West Coast Conference, Pepperdine secured the title of conference champions for the second year in a row.
Winning the title outright, it is the sixth conference championship for the Waves.
The Waves have only won back-to-back titles one other time in 2016 and 2017, never doing so in three consecutive years.
Over Tim Ward's 28 years of coaching, he has garnered over 300 wins and five WCC Coach of the Year awards, most recently in 2017.
Throughout Ward's tenure, Pepperdine has earned six WCC titles with four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and a total of 10 national team players.
Returning for her senior year, Peyton Leonard is one of the most well-rounded players on the 2026 roster for the Waves.
A steady presence on defense, the Ladera Ranch, Calif. native is also a threat on offense, tallying four goals and three assists last season.
Named to the Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Players across the NCAA, the centerback came in at No. 60.
Starting the season in a sprint, Julia Quinonez has already notched three goals through two matches, earning herself the first WCC offensive player of the week in the opening week.
As the WCC's top returning goal-scorer, Julia Quinonez buried 11 in the back of the net last season, tacking on four assists.
Making the MAC Hermann Trophy Watchlist, the senior is one of 65 across the NCAA and just one of two in the West Coast Conference as the only Wave.
As a fifth year, Kyra Murphy brings the most experience to the Waves this season with 70 matches played, including 41 starts.
Totalling 11 goals and eight assists, the Riverside, Calif. native is a key piece to the midfield for Pepperdine on an underclassmen-heavy squad.
Returning in goal for the Waves, junior Jillian Medvecky has started all but one match for the Waves throughout her two seasons, garnering a goals against average of 1.23, tallying 123 saves.
With two returning on the backline as well, the Waves will have experience in the defensive third of the field.
Senior Peyton Leonard and junior Lily Stewart have 83 starts between the two of them along with 10 goals.
With one of the hardest nonconference schedules in the NCAA, Pepperdine stacked the front end of the 2026 slate.
Earning a 1-1 draw against (RV) USC , before heading to Texas to take on (RV) Texas Tech and (RV) Baylor before returning home, making a short stop at #17 UCLA along the way.
Gearing up for the year, the Waves want to be battle-tested by the time it is time for West Coast Conference play.

SERIES HISTORY WITH TEXAS TECH

All-time, the Waves 1-1-1 against Texas Tech.
The sole win against the Red Raiders came at home in 2017, with the most recent meeting being a 0-0 draw on the road in 2019.

SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS

At 2-0-1, Texas Tech's tie came in a 0-0 draw to WCC foe Seattle.
Mac Hermann Trophy Watchlist Forward Taylor Zdrojewski has scored two of the team's three goals, both in the 2-0 win over Boise State last time out.

SERIES HISTORY WITH BAYLOR

This will be Pepperdine's first match against the Bears.

SCOUTING THE BEARS

Recently dropping a 1-3 result at home against Texas State, the Bears are 2-1 overall including a 4-1 season-opening win against No. 10 Arkansas.
Fifth year goalkeeper Azul Alvarez, a transfer from TCU, made the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist as the only Baylor representative.

Both Thursday and Sunday's matches are scheduled for a 5 p.m. pst kickoff with both matches streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required). Live stats will be available at www.pepperdinewaves.com. If attending the match in Waco, Texas Sunday, fans are encouraged to purchase tailgate tickets which include entry into the team's pre-match festivities as well as a ticket to the match itself. A link to purchase a ticket for just $5 can be found here.

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 24 winning seasons, Ward has proven he can lead consistently with excellence, garnering an overall record of 320-158-78.
TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's soccer news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWSOC.

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Players Mentioned

Sam Hosford

Peyton Leonard

Jillian Medvecky

Kyra Murphy

Julia Quinonez

Lily Stewart

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