Pepperdine Waves
Overall Rank: # 25
Conference Rank: # 4 West Coast
Pepperdine Team Page
The Waves are coming off of their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, one which saw them lose to Cal in the first round, 1-0. The team was also ranked in the Top 25 every week. Two of the 14 season wins were over ranked teams, including the squad's 1-0 win over then No. 5 Boston College. What made the season even more impressive was the way the team fought through injuries, including numerous ones before the season began.
2012 Record: 14-7, 5-3
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tim Ward
Strengths:
Pepperdine loses only six seniors from a team that featured nine sophomores and six freshmen. The experience and youth from last season will help the Waves as they attempt to go for a third consecutive trip to the tournament. Back for the 2013 season is junior Amanda LeCave, who tied for the team lead in goals last season with 10. Lynn Williams, who is also a junior, scored eight goals on the season, which was second on the team. Michelle Pao, who had a team-high nine assists, also returns. A freshman that may be able to help right away is Taylor Alvarado. Alvarado scored 45 goals in her prep career and has played on Mexico's team in the U-17 World Cup.
Weaknesses:
The Waves scored 37 goals last season. Unfortunately, three players scored 28 of those goals, and Anisa Guajardo, who scored a co-team-high 10 goals, graduated. With her 10 goals, she also took her eight assists. She isn't the only big loss for the Waves though. Pepperdine also loses starting goalie Roxanne Barker, who saw over 1,700 minutes of action last season and made 90 saves in goal. Last year's backup, Erinn Middo, who filled in for Barker when she was injured and played 180 minutes, is also no longer on the roster. That leaves incoming freshman Hannah Seabert as the only goalie on the roster. Seabert was a four-year starter at Woodcrest Christian High School in Riverside, CA.
Final Projection:
The Waves bring back considerable talent from last year's 14-7 team, but will have to replace Guajardo's scoring abilities. Having LeCave and Williams back is good, as well as four other players that scored. If any of those can step up, the offense should be ok. The real worry is the goalie situation. If Seabert struggles, there isn't anyone on the roster that can step in, so Pepperdine is really counting on the true freshman to be good and quickly, as the nonconference schedule doesn't do the Waves any favors. The Waves start off the year with a rematch against Cal before embarking on a road trip that sees them play Michigan, USC and Texas A&M. That start, followed by games against San Diego State, UICLA, Fresno State and Cal State Fullerton before conference play, will be tough.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Amanda LeCave, Junior, M/F, 10
Assists: Michelle Pao, Senior, D/F, 9
Shots: Lynn Williams, Junior, F, 97
Saves: None
Madness 2014 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#24 Michelle Pao
Madness 2013 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#124 Meagan Harbison
See All Women's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
