The Pepperdine Waves women’s soccer team, currently holding a 9-4-2 overall record and 5-1 in West Coast Conference play, prepares to host the Santa Clara Broncos on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 3 p.m. PT at Tari Frahm Rokus Field in Malibu, California. This game marks the beginning of the Waves’ final two home matches as they aim to maintain their lead in the WCC standings.
Senior forward Julia Quinonez leads Pepperdine with 12 goals this season, including five match-winning goals, and leads the nation in shot accuracy at .769. Her 31 career goals rank sixth all-time in Pepperdine history. Alongside Quinonez, seniors Peyton Leonard and Kyra Murphy have been preseason all-conference selections, providing experience and leadership across the lineup.
Under the guidance of coach Tim Ward, who boasts over 300 wins in his 28-year tenure and has earned five WCC Coach of the Year awards, the Waves are pursuing a third consecutive conference championship—a milestone the program has yet to achieve. Pepperdine has won six WCC titles overall and has twice secured back-to-back championships in the past.
The Santa Clara Broncos enter the match with a 7-2-7 record and have tied their last three matches. Their leading scorer, Kennedy Schoennauer, has netted 13 goals this season. Pepperdine holds a home series advantage over Santa Clara at 10-5-1, although the Broncos lead the overall series.
This match also features faculty and staff appreciation as well as a pink-out event to support breast cancer awareness. Fans are encouraged to wear pink, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available on the Pepperdine website.
CSB Take
The upcoming home match against Santa Clara presents a crucial opportunity for Pepperdine to strengthen its hold on the West Coast Conference title race. The combination of Julia Quinonez’s offensive prowess and the veteran presence of players like Peyton Leonard and Kyra Murphy positions the Waves well for success. With only a few regular-season games remaining, protecting home turf will be vital as Pepperdine seeks to secure a historic third straight conference championship and build momentum for the postseason.
Source: Original report
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