SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Pepperdine (9-4-1) continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over San Diego (4-3-6) on Friday evening at Torero Stadium. The win marked Pepperdine's sixth consecutive victory while extending their perfect conference record to 6-0.
San Diego struck first through Tamia Graham in the 45th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Josefine Schlichting. Pepperdine responded in the 68th minute when Julia Quinonez found the net off a combination play from Elle Quinn and Tatum Wynalda. The visitors secured the winner in the 84th minute as Peyton Leonard converted from a Tatum Wynalda assist.
The first half saw San Diego control much of the early possession, with Graham and Schlichting creating several dangerous opportunities. The Toreros recorded six shots in the opening 45 minutes, including three on target. Amanda Anders and Josefine Schlichting both tested the Pepperdine defense with blocked attempts in the 9th and 10th minutes respectively.
Pepperdine emerged with renewed energy after the break, with Victoria Alessandrini and Ariana Markey both forcing saves in the opening minutes of the second half. The momentum shifted decisively after the hour mark, with the Waves generating multiple scoring chances. Kyra Murphy and Peyton Leonard both came close before the equalizer, while Tatum Wynalda's influence grew as the half progressed.
The match statistics reflected the competitive nature of the contest, with Pepperdine recording 14 shots to San Diego's 13. The Waves held a significant advantage in corner kicks (11-0), while both teams managed six shots on target. San Diego's disciplinary issues were evident with yellow cards shown to Daniella Guerrero (70th minute) and Tamia Graham (82nd minute).
Tatum Wynalda's playmaking proved crucial with two assists, while Peyton Leonard's match-winner highlighted her clinical finishing ability. For San Diego, Josefine Schlichting was particularly active with three shots and an assist, while Katelyn Bessemer anchored the defense with several crucial interventions.
The tactical battle saw Pepperdine gradually assert control through their wing play, with Ariana Markey and Victoria Alessandrini stretching the San Diego defense. The Toreros' compact defensive structure initially frustrated the Waves, but ultimately couldn't prevent Pepperdine's attacking talent from finding breakthrough moments.
This victory maintains Pepperdine's perfect conference record and demonstrates their ability to secure results in challenging road environments. For San Diego, despite a strong defensive showing and early lead, their recent struggles continue with their second consecutive loss.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with midweek fixtures. Pepperdine travels to face LMU on October 22, looking to extend their winning streak to seven matches. San Diego hosts Saint Mary's the same evening, seeking to snap their two-game losing streak and climb back up the conference standings.
The match showcased Pepperdine's resilience in overcoming an early deficit, with their second-half adjustments proving decisive. Their ability to maintain possession and create quality chances ultimately wore down a determined San Diego side that had seemed poised for an upset through much of the contest.