CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Vanderbilt soccer team looked to rebound from Sunday’s defeat when they took the pitch against Boston College. The Dores did just that Friday night up in Boston, as a first-half goal from Simone Charley was all they needed to defeat the Golden Eagles 1-0.
Head coach Darren Ambrose was thrilled with the whole team’s performance on the road against an ACC opponent.
“I think it was a very gutsy, tough performance,” said Ambrose. “I think we got great individual performances from a lot of players when it was required. When someone had a job to do, they did it and that went all the way from our goalkeeper to our forwards. I am thrilled for our kids, to come in a week from a disappointing loss to putting on that kind of performance tonight, it shows the highs and lows of what we really can be capable of.”
Boston College went on the attack early and peppered Fahrner with multiple shots. In the first 20 minutes alone, BC had six shots on net but she was up to the challenge and kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard.
The Commodores would use the inspired performance from Fahrner and turned it into the first goal of the game.
Lydia Simmons started the attack and sent a cross into the middle of the box. Simone Charley made her run past the two BC defenders to get her foot on the ball and sent it to the far left post for the goal.
That would be the lone goal in the first half as the Commodores took a 1-0 lead into the break. Fahrner continued her great play throughout the first 45 minutes and totaled eight saves in the first half.
The second half was no different for Fahrner and the Commodores. They limited BC’s scoring opportunities and Fahrner continued her superb play which helped the Dores seal the 1-0 shutout win.
Fahrner ended the night with 13 saves and her first clean sheet of the season. The 13 saves tied for the most she has had in her two years with the black and gold. Charley netted her first goal of the season while Lydia Simmons tallied her first assist of the 2017 campaign.
Ambrose believes he saw Fahrner’s best game as a Commodore tonight but she wasn’t the only one to step up against BC.
“Our goal keeper Kaitlyn Fahrner was phenomenal, it was the best performance I have seen from her since she came to Vanderbilt,” said Ambrose. “Today was special, she came up big, especially in the first half. She made three or four absolutely first-class saves in the first half to keep the game tied and then preserved the lead.”
“Again, back-to-front there were girls that contributed in their own way. Kaitlyn obviously stood out but we got performances from our leaders when we needed them and I thought some of the freshmen grew up today.”
Brook Colangelo and Madison Elwell both got their first starts this season for the Dores. The Vanderbilt freshmen continued to see playing time early in the season. Four of the six substitutions were freshmen while two newcomers (Elwell and Konte) got the start Friday night.
The Dores ended up with just five shots on the night but still came out on the winning end. Ambrose believes that is part of the game and was glad to be on the winning end tonight.
“That is the thing about soccer, it is a very tactical game and a lot of times the team that has the ball the most doesn’t win the game,” stated Ambrose. “We know what our strengths and we played to them today.”
Another quick turnaround is in order for the Commodores. They will finish off the road trip on Sunday when they face Massachusetts at 11 am CT.
