MORAGA, Calif. – It was a chilly Wednesday evening in Moraga, as the Saint Mary's Women's Soccer team took on the Pepperdine Waves in their final home game of the season. 
 
Eight Gaels seniors were honored before the game, as they looked to snag a win in their final game at Saint Mary's Stadium.
 
HELPING HANDS
The Waves came out of the gates hot, playing direct, fast paced soccer. They nearly caught the Gaels off-guard in the fourth minute of the game, as they connected on a through ball leading to a one-on one with Taylor Poland. The Pepperdine player scuffed the shot, hitting the left post. It was an early wake up call for Saint Mary's, but they remained composed. 
 
The first chance for the Gaels came in the 12^th minute, as a set piece cross from Savannah Schwarze found the head of Brianna Salvetti. Salvetti did well to connect with the header, deflecting it towards the bottom right corner of the goal, before it glanced just wide in the end.
 
Saint Mary's continued to increase their offensive pressure, as Alessandra Towle charged down the right side of the field, before unleashing a powerful left footed shot, forcing a tricky save from the Pepperdine keeper. 
 
Despite a few chances to open the scoring for the Gaels, the star of the half was Taylor Poland, who made fantastic save after fantastic save. Her first came in the 17^th minute, as she fully extended to her right to keep the Waves out of the net.  
 
Poland continued to one-up herself throughout the match, as she made another save in the 30^th minute, fully extending to her right and palming the ball past the post with her right hand. 
 
The Waves continued to bring the pressure, as Poland punched away two corners in a row in the 35^th minute. 
 
Although Pepperdine had the better chances in the first half, the Gaels nearly snatched the lead in the 39^thminute through Brynn Mitchell. She connected with a right footed shot from the middle of the box, just glancing off the right post. 
 
SECOND HALF STALEMATE
The second half got off to a tamer start compared to the first half, as both teams were unable to link passes together during the opening 15 minutes of the half. That didn't stop the Waves from testing Taylor Poland, as she made two more saves in the 52^nd minute. 
 
Saint Mary's remained compact, slowly connecting more passes as the half went on. Although the chances were few and far between, that didn't stop the Gaels from pushing for the winner.
 
Pepperdine sensed Saint Mary's building momentum, continually fouling the Gaels as the ventured up the field. 
 
The best chance of the game for the Gaels came in the 83^rd minute, as Alessandra Towle charged through the midfield and towards the Waves penalty area. She unloaded a right footed shot from 25 yards out, smashing the crossbar with her shot. 
 
TERRIFIC TAYLOR
Pepperdine sensed blood after Towle's unlucky miss, as they flew down the field to search for the winner. Their opportunity came in the 87^th minute, as the referee awarded the Waves a penalty after Jessie Hawes committed a foul on the Pepperdine attacker.
 
After making save after save throughout the game, it was only fitting for Taylor Poland to make one more otherworldly save to clinch the tie for the Gaels. 
 
The Waves attacker had a short run up, and smashed a low shot toward Poland's right corner of the goal. Poland read her like a book, springing to her left, palming the ball clear of her post and sending the Gaels fans in attendance into an absolute frenzy. 
 
Taylor Poland finished the match with eight saves, her third highest save tally of the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will conclude their season on Saturday, November 5 as they head to Negoesco Stadium to take on University of San Francisco at 7 pm.