TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona soccer team welcomed No. 10 Pepperdine to Mulcahy Stadium on Sunday and after an evenly matched first half, the Waves netted a pair of second half goals to hand the Wildcats a 2-0 loss.
For the game, Arizona (2-2-2) ultimately struggled to connect in the final third, registering three shots compared to 19 shots for Pepperdine. However, the Wildcats continued to get pressure in the final third. And aside from the two situations that resulted in Pepperdine goals, the Arizona defenders were able to deny the Waves or force shots from long range that resulted in easy saves.
Pepperdine (5-0-2) went ahead 1-0 in the 56th minute after the Wildcats were called for a foul in the box. Carlee Giammona stepped up and put home the PK in the bottom right of the goal
The best chance of the day for Arizona came in the 63rd minute when Gianna Christiansen found her way behind the Pepperdine defenders on the right side. As she made her way on goal, her left-footed shot from just inside the 18-yard box on the left beat the keeper but rolled just wide right of the frame.
Pepperdine extended it's lead to 2-0 in the 81st minute when Tori Waldeck's header found the back of the net after ricocheting inside the 6-yard box multiple times and even being saved off the line once by Arizona defender Angela Baron.
Hope comes up with the BIG save!#BearDown #WeAreArizona pic.twitter.com/KUgHFYa0NU
— Arizona Soccer (@ArizonaSoccer) September 11, 2022
55' - Hisey is there to make the save AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/LIeEDwhgeg
— Arizona Soccer (@ArizonaSoccer) September 11, 2022
Arizona goalkeeper Hope Hisey finished the match with four saves – two of which on separate shots from point-blank range. Pepperdine keeper Ellie Sommers did not have to make a save in the match.
"I think we played well…it was a big stepping stone for us in the process."@gchristiansenn's thoughts after today's match vs. Pepperdine. #BearDown | #WeAreArizona pic.twitter.com/5nwnR2zAhi
— Arizona Soccer (@ArizonaSoccer) September 11, 2022
The next match for the Wildcats is on Sunday, Sept. 18 at home against UC Davis starting at 1:00 p.m. PT at Mulcahy Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for as low as $5.
#BearDown