IRVINE, Calif. – Vanderbilt defeated UC Irvine, 1-0, in its first road test of 2019 on Friday night at Anteater Stadium.
The ninth-ranked Commodores (3-0) maintained their perfect start to the 2019 campaign.
“It was a gritty win against a feisty Irvine team,” head coach Darren Ambrose said. “They made it hard for us, but I was proud of the toughness our kids showed.”
Haley Hopkins scored her fifth goal of the season to begin the second half. Maddie Elwell set her up for her team-high fifth assist of 2019.
Hopkins has now scored in five straight games dating to 2018 and all three games this season. She currently leads the SEC in goals and sits at second in the nation.
“Haley and Maddie just understand each other,” Ambrose said. “They are great friends and it translates on the field.”
Elwell has assisted in all three games to start the 2019 season. Her five assists already surpassed her total of four assists in 2018.
Lauren Demarchi started in goal and recorded one save for her second win of the season.
The Commodores stay in California this weekend as they travel to No. 22 Pepperdine on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT. Sunday’s tilt will be broadcast on WCC Network.
“We still have some things to fine tune, especially when it comes to closing a game.” Ambrose said. “But overall, I am pleased with how we played over 90 minutes.”
