MALIBU, Calif. – Columbia women's soccer opened its two-game west coast swing against Pepperdine on Thursday evening in Malibu. The Waves led 1-0 at half, but went on to win 3-0 thanks to two goals in the final 10 minutes ot the contest.
Pepperdine had a great chance early, as Tatum Wynalda found herself wide open directly in front of the net, but Lions' goalkeeper Samantha Mahoney came up with a crucial stop. Already on the ground, Mahoney dove across to deny Wynalda's shot in its tracks and keep the match level.
However, the Waves would still strike first in the 29th minute. Tabitha LaParl lined up for a free kick at the top of the box, and curled it past the Lions' wall and Mahoney could not pick it up in time as the ball snuck under her outstretched arms.
Both defenses were stout for the next 50 minutes, but Pepperdine broke through once again in the 80th minute. Wynalda sent a corner into the middle of the box, and Peyton Leonard finished it with a beautiful header to put the Waves up 2-0.
That lead grew to three goals just 90 seconds later, as Layla Simon snuck one past a diving Mahoney after a beautiful through ball from LaParl set her free in the box. Pepperdine's defense stood strong in the final 10 minutes and put the finishing touches on the shutout.
ON DECK
Columbia will have a couple days to regroup before closing out the California trip against Loyola Marymount on Sunday in Los Angeles at 4 p.m. EST.
The Lions' full 2025 schedule can be found
HERE.
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on X, Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
