NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head coach Darren Ambrose earned his 200th-career win as Vanderbilt defeated Colgate, 2-0, Friday evening at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
Ambrose recorded 148 victories in his 15 seasons at Penn and is currently sitting at 52 at Vanderbilt.
The ninth-ranked Commodores (5-0) remained undefeated in 16 straight games at home and have yet to surrender a goal in the 2019 campaign.
The Dores didn’t strike until the 72nd minute and the game’s opening goal came after they forced a turnover in their attacking third. Kaylann Boyd stole a pass from a Colgate defender and started a fast break.
She sent a through ball to Haley Hopkins, who caught the pass outside the 18-yard box, stopped on a dime and sent two defenders flying past her. She took one dribble to her right and sent a powerful shot into the back-left corner of the net.
Hopkins continues her impressive start to her sophomore season with seven goals in five games, including three straight game-winning goals. She’s also scored in every game this season and seven straight games dating to 2018.
The Commodores added onto their lead six minutes later in the 78th minute. Nia Dorsey dribbled up the sideline and forced a Colgate defender to kick the ball out of bounds. Olivia Simmons took the throw-in and launched a perfect pass from the left sideline right to Dorsey, who proceeded to head the ball into the net for her first goal of 2019.
Simmons is Vanderbilt’s throw-in specialist as she also had two assists off throw-ins last season.
Vanderbilt continued its second half dominance and 11 of its 14 goals this season have come in the second half of games.
Lauren Demarchi and Taiana Tolleson split time in net for the Commodores and they combined for another shutout for the season.
The Commodores wrap up the Music City Invitational on Sunday against Marshall at 2:30 p.m. CT. Sunday’s slate is free admission and will also be broadcast on SEC Network+.
