The Pepperdine women's soccer team is set to host the California Golden Bears on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Malibu, California, a meeting that could shape the momentum of both programs as they navigate a demanding schedule.
Coach Ward’s long‑term vision
Tim Ward, who has guided the Waves for 28 years, says the focus remains on incremental improvement and preserving the strengths that have defined recent performances. Under his stewardship the program has amassed more than 300 victories, captured five West Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors and produced double‑digit NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
The roster features a core of experienced talent, including senior defender Peyton Leonard, midfielder Kyra Murphy and forward Julia Quinonez. All three earned preseason All‑West Region honors and were selected to the West Coast Conference preseason all‑conference team, marking the third straight year Pepperdine placed three players on the squad. Quinonez’s early‑season form also earned her the conference’s offensive player of the week award after scoring her third goal in just two matches.
Pepperdine’s recent track record underscores the program’s consistency. The team secured its second consecutive WCC title, extending its total conference championships to six, and has reached the NCAA Sweet 16 on four occasions. Ward’s leadership has also launched ten players into national team consideration.
Next up, the Waves confront a rugged nonconference slate that includes a cross‑town showdown with USC, trips to Texas Tech, a matchup against sixth‑ranked Baylor and a contest with twentieth‑ranked UCLA, testing the squad’s depth early in the campaign.
Historically, the series against California is evenly matched, standing at 2‑2‑5 in favor of the Bears. A win in Malibu would mark Pepperdine’s first victory over the Golden Bears at home, adding another chapter to a rivalry that dates back decades.
Cal arrives with its own threats, led by returning scorer Soleil Dimry, who has already netted four goals this season, and goalkeeper Alyssa Savig, who will look to protect the net against a Pepperdine attack that has shown flashes of potency.