Joelle Anderson

Classroom

Anderson boasts a 3.47 GPA as a psychology major with a minor in social work. She is scheduled to graduate this fall.

In both 2019 and 2020, Anderson was named a WCC All-Academic honorable mention. She has also received WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete acclaim each year at Pepperdine.

Joelle Anderson:
“I have always had an interest in working with kids, particularly within our public education system and helping children who come from lower-income families receive the education they deserve. I fell in love with my social work classes and my plan right now is to hopefully try and play professional soccer for as long as possible and then pursue a career in social work or counseling/therapy.”

Character

Head Coach Tim Ward:
“Anderson is one of the most interesting and fascinating leaders we have on this team. The staff and her teammates trust her completely. Whether it was taking the critical penalty kick to tie the game in last year’s NCAA Tournament or simply looking for her to calm a chaotic moment in the game, her teammates go to her for strength, composure, poise, and confidence. In a quiet way, Anderson has been one of the most unbelievable leaders we have ever had in this program. She has a really big heart, but she doesn’t wear it on her sleeve. Rather, she is the kind of woman that blesses others without making a big fuss about it. Anderson is one of the hardest workers on the team, a champion and a fierce competitor.”

Joelle Anderson:
“For me, I try to be a leader on and off the field through my actions. I want to leave a lasting impact on the soccer program and University. I show up to practice every day knowing that each day is an opportunity to become better. I have dealt with obstacles—both emotionally and physically—at my time at Pepperdine, but grew tremendously from all the hardships I experienced. I broke my face at the end of my freshman year, which was probably the toughest challenge I have dealt with in college, but I became stronger in the end from that experience.”

Community

Joelle Anderson:
“Our team has done a tremendous job of reaching out to our community, and I have loved all of the events I have been a part of. My freshman year, our team traveled to Costa Rica (which was a trip of a lifetime) and got to play a few matches against local teams and serve the community as well. We went to a school for children who come from lower-income families and had the opportunity to play with them and bring them a little joy. It was rewarding to see all of the smiling faces on the children and know that you made a difference—even if it was small. I have also participated in numerous Step Forward Days (the University’s annual day of service), which have been rewarding.

After the fires happened in Malibu a few years ago, our soccer team decided to do something for the community. We put together a free Malibu Soccer Academy clinic for those families in the area who might have been affected by the fires. The clinic was successful and it felt good knowing that our team was able to provide a few hours of fun and happiness to those children. I also recently just participated in a program where we wrote letters to Special Olympic athletes, who were not able to compete in the Olympics this past year due to COVID-19.”

Competition

Anderson has enjoyed a career full of accolades on the field. She has been a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-West Region selection and a four-time All-WCC selection, earning first team honors twice for both.

In her time at Pepperdine, Anderson has recorded 24 goals and 16 assists for 64 points. She ranks fourth on the program’s career goals list, one of the seven categories that she sits in the top 10.

Leading the team in goals as a sophomore and junior, Anderson also finished second as a freshman and senior. In her first year as a Wave, she scored a point in six consecutive games, which was one shy of the school record.

In Anderson’s first three years, the Waves won at least 11 matches each season and have gone 37-15-8. During last year’s condensed season, they went 6-5-1. Anderson has helped lead the team to a 2017 WCC title and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

In the 2021 NWSL Draft, Anderson was selected in the third round by the Houston Dash. Before she pursues her professional career, she will graduate from Pepperdine.