Women’s Soccer Unanimously Picked to Finish Atop the WCC
8/5/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Pepperdine women's soccer was unanimously selected to finish first in the conference, with all three seniors making the preseason all-conference squad.
Peyton Leonard, Kyra Murphy, and Julia Quinonez were all selected for the 11 person roster. This is the third year in a row the Waves have had three selections to the preseason team. Last season, Leonard and Quinonez notched spots on the First Team All-WCC List while Murphy earned a spot on the second team. The trio returns to Malibu after playing the majority of minutes across all matches last year.
Quinonez is the leading returner in goals for the WCC, netting 11 last season with four assists. Murphy, returning for a fifth year, started all 20 matches last season while earning a spot on the CSC All-District honorees list. Leonard, a key piece on the backline this season for the Waves, was also recently highlighted on the MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist for her position.
Pepperdine is coming off a championship season, securing the WCC Championship title in the final year without a postseason tournament. This season, the inaugural tournament will feature the top four teams of the conference in November. Tied for second in the coaches poll is Portland and Santa Clara, just ahead of Saint Mary's.
The full coaches poll and preseason all-conference team is below. With all nine teams picking Pepperdine to win the conference, the vote for Seattle reflects Pepperdine's vote as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own program.
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pepperdine - 81 points (9)
T-2. Portland - 61 points
T-2. Santa Clara - 61 points
4. Saint Mary's - 60 points
5. Seattle U - 54 points (1)
6. LMU - 39 points
7. Denver - 38 points
8. San Diego - 28 points
9. Pacific - 15 points
10. San Francisco - 13 points
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Amanda Anders, San Diego
Hailey Bagby, Portland
Aliyah Dockter, Portland
U'i Kaaihue, Seattle U
Peyton Leonard, Pepperdine
Kyra Murphy, Pepperdine
Mailin Orozco, Santa Clara
Kate Plachy, Saint Mary's
Julia Quinonez, Pepperdine
Violet Rademacher, Portland
Ashlyn Vaughn, Saint Mary's
TICKETS
Single game tickets are on sale now! For all tickets and package options, visit pepperdinewaves.com/list/WS
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.
Peyton Leonard, Kyra Murphy, and Julia Quinonez were all selected for the 11 person roster. This is the third year in a row the Waves have had three selections to the preseason team. Last season, Leonard and Quinonez notched spots on the First Team All-WCC List while Murphy earned a spot on the second team. The trio returns to Malibu after playing the majority of minutes across all matches last year.
Quinonez is the leading returner in goals for the WCC, netting 11 last season with four assists. Murphy, returning for a fifth year, started all 20 matches last season while earning a spot on the CSC All-District honorees list. Leonard, a key piece on the backline this season for the Waves, was also recently highlighted on the MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist for her position.
Pepperdine is coming off a championship season, securing the WCC Championship title in the final year without a postseason tournament. This season, the inaugural tournament will feature the top four teams of the conference in November. Tied for second in the coaches poll is Portland and Santa Clara, just ahead of Saint Mary's.
The full coaches poll and preseason all-conference team is below. With all nine teams picking Pepperdine to win the conference, the vote for Seattle reflects Pepperdine's vote as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own program.
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pepperdine - 81 points (9)
T-2. Portland - 61 points
T-2. Santa Clara - 61 points
4. Saint Mary's - 60 points
5. Seattle U - 54 points (1)
6. LMU - 39 points
7. Denver - 38 points
8. San Diego - 28 points
9. Pacific - 15 points
10. San Francisco - 13 points
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Amanda Anders, San Diego
Hailey Bagby, Portland
Aliyah Dockter, Portland
U'i Kaaihue, Seattle U
Peyton Leonard, Pepperdine
Kyra Murphy, Pepperdine
Mailin Orozco, Santa Clara
Kate Plachy, Saint Mary's
Julia Quinonez, Pepperdine
Violet Rademacher, Portland
Ashlyn Vaughn, Saint Mary's
TICKETS
Single game tickets are on sale now! For all tickets and package options, visit pepperdinewaves.com/list/WS
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.
