Women’s Soccer: No. 18 Waves Collect 1-0 Shutout Victory at Gonzaga
Lynn Williams Notches Third Game-Winner of the Season; Roxanne Barker Becomes Pepperdine’s Career Wins Leader (46)

SPOKANE, Wash. – No. 18 Pepperdine wrapped up its final regular season road contest of the season with a 1-0 shutout victory against Gonzaga Sunday in West Coast Conference action at the GU Soccer Stadium. The Waves (13-5-0, 4-2-0 WCC) bounced back from a tough loss at Portland on Friday to defeat a determined Bulldog (7-10-1, 1-5-1 WCC) squad.

Pepperdine created numerous quality scoring chances, but the contest appeared destined for overtime until Lynn Williams (Fresno, Calif./Bullard HS) took a feed from Jackie Pedrazza (Cupertino/Calif./Monta Vista HS) and beat several defenders for a game-winner from close range in the 86th  minute. It was the fifth goal of the season for Williams and her third decisive tally.

“We played really nice soccer today,” Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward said. “I think Gonzaga is a much improved team. This is not an easy place to come and get a result. We feel really good about getting the win in regulation. I thought we created some really good chances in the run of play. Our possessions were fantastic and it was a really great performance today from our back four. I think we learned about ourselves Friday night and we were able to apply those lessons today. In WCC play any win is a great win.”

Pepperdine attacked throughout and held a 18-11 shot advantage including a 8-6 edge in shots on goal. The Waves increased the pressure in the second half outshooting the Zags 13-7. Pepperdine created many dangerous opportunities off seven corner kicks by Michelle Pao (Cupertino, Calif./Monta Vista HS), five coming after the intermission.

Williams fired a match-high four shots, two on frame, while Pedrazza’s two shots were both on target. Pao, Mandy Davis (Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley HS), Allie Holtz (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School), Callie Payetta (Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach HS) and Taylor Vargo (Los Alamitos, Calif./Los Alamitos HS) each notched a pair of attempts. Three Bulldogs fired a pair of attempts.

With the victory, Roxanne Barker (11-5-0) moved into sole possession of first place on the Pepperdine career wins list (46) with her 31st shutout. Barker (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge HS) was tested and collected six saves, five in the second half en route to her seventh shutout of 2012. Susan Brown (7-10-1) suffered the loss for Gonzaga and made seven saves.

Pepperdine returns home to close out WCC play, beginning Thursday, October 1 against Saint Mary’s before hosting No. 5 Brigham Young on Saturday in the regular season finale. Match time against the Gaels is set for 3:00 p.m. at Tari Frahm Rokus Field.

NOTES: Every time the Waves have lost this season, they have responded with a shutout victory and have outscored their opponents 14-0 in those contests … Roxanne Barker entered the match with 45 wins, tied for the all-time lead with former standout Anna Picarelli (2002-05). With 31 shutouts, Barker trails Picarelli by one sheeting … The win in Spokane was the first for Pepperdine since a 2-0 triumph in 2008. The Waves lost its last outing in the Lilac City in a 1-0 overtime setback in 2010 … With two regular season games remaining, Lynn Williams now ranks third in single-season history with 86 shots and needs 11 more to match 2012 Pepperdine Hall of Fame inductee Jennifer Evans, who fired 97 in 1993.