Evans Makes, Piles Up Points

Jennifer Evans enrolled at Pepperdine three years ago, hoping to leave a mark on the school’s fledgling women’s soccer program.

As a senior captain and the program’s all-time scoring leader, Evans’ imprint is all over the Waves, whose 6-2 start is the best in their four-year history.

Last season, the 5-foot-5, 135-pound forward became the first Pepperdine soccer player to earn All-West Coast Conference honors. This season, Evans became the first Wave to score more than 100 points in a career.

“Her role in the program is to score goals,” second-year Coach Kenny Dale said. “There aren’t many players in any college program who [score more than 100 points].”

In the talent-rich WCC, Evans’ physical traits do not make her an elite player.

Evans’ instincts, desire and touch inside the penalty area, however, have earned her a reputation as one of the region’s top scorers.

It’s a role Evans, a 21-year old Simi Valley native, also perfected at the high school level.

As a senior at Royal High, Evans was Marmonte League player of the year.

Evans earned a black belt in karate during high school, translating skills in leverage and balance to the soccer field.

Recruited by several schools, she chose Pepperdine for its proximity and fledgling program.

“I thought being on the team from its first year on was a big deal,” Evans said. “The [six] seniors who came in when the program started, we think it’s something special.”

Evans has 47 goals and 13 assists for 107 points in her career. She has Pepperdine records of 20 goals and 45 points in a season.