Spangler Keys Win for Waves

Tasha Spangler is used to making a difference on the soccer field.

The sophomore midfielder was instrumental in building the Westlake High girls’ program in the mid-1990s and is bringing Pepperdine to new heights.

With a goal and an assist, Spangler helped lift the Waves over Cal State Northridge, 2-0, in a nonconference game Friday night at Northridge.

“Some of my ex-teammates were on Northridge, so obviously I wanted to win,” Spangler said. “The whole game was a team effort. We haven’t lost to them yet. We wanted to keep that streak up.”

Spangler scored the second goal, in the 83rd minute, when her shot from the top of the box deflected into the net off the hands of goalkeeper Jenny Willemse.

Pepperdine (4-1-1) scored in the 44th minute after Stacia Spangler, Tasha’s sister, ran past a defender on the right flank and sent a ball across the goalmouth, where freshman forward Sarah Rothbaum tapped it in for her first college goal.

“[Stacia Spangler] was at a bad angle. I was just there for her support,” Rothbaum said. “I was just thinking about putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Missed opportunities proved costly for the Matadors (0-3-3). A season-long lack of offense kept the Matadors scoreless. They haven’t scored in the last 412 minutes.

Pepperdine goalkeeper Cheri Phillips made six saves.

“In the first half they dominated. We were lucky to get a goal right before the half. It was a big boost,” Coach Tim Ward said.

“We play two completely different styles of play. They are big, physical and more direct. We like to build from the back and create offense and, in the second half, it showed. Our girls did a good job building.”