Season Opener and Celebration
Pepperdine’s women’s soccer team opens the 2026 campaign at home against Colgate at 3 p.m. on Thursday, a match that will also serve as a celebration of the program’s 2025 West Coast Conference championship. Fans will be treated to giveaways at the gate as the Waves look to build on a historic season.
Head Coach Tim Ward praised the blend of experience and youthful energy in the roster, noting that the team’s back‑to‑back conference titles and a third straight postseason bid reflect the program’s upward trajectory. The Waves were also preseason favorites in the coaches’ poll, underscoring the confidence surrounding the squad.
Returning Stars and Fresh Faces
Three senior leaders — Peyton Leonard, Kyra Murphy and Julia Quinonez — earned preseason all‑conference honors, with Leonard and Quinonez additionally named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list. Leonard, a centerback, is ranked No. 60 on the Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Players list, while Quinonez topped the WCC with 11 goals and four assists last year. Midfielder Murphy, a two‑year starter with 70 career appearances, anchors the midfield, and junior goalkeeper Jillian Medvecky posted a 1.23 goals‑against average and 123 saves over two seasons.
The incoming freshman class adds depth, featuring standouts such as Eva Awoyinka and Fiona McCormick, while returning talent like Lily Stewart will provide additional options in attack.
Nonconference Challenges and the Colgate Opponent
Pepperdine’s schedule pits the Waves against powerhouse nonconference opponents including USC, Texas Tech, Baylor and a rematch with UCLA, preparing them for the rigors of conference play. This will mark the first meeting with Colgate, a Patriot League program that finished third with a 9‑6‑4 record and a 6‑2‑1 conference slate. Senior goalkeeper Ella Poppinga was recently named preseason Goalie of the Year in the league, and teammate Josie Tunney led the team with six goals and a .727 shooting percentage.
With a mix of seasoned veterans, recognized honorees and a promising freshman cohort, the Waves aim to translate early‑season momentum into a deep NCAA tournament run, beginning with a strong performance against Colgate.