TAMPA, Fla. – Senior Candace West scored the game’s only goal as the Commodore women’s soccer team won on the road Friday night at South Florida in the second game of the 2011 Dafeldecker Classic.
“This was a great opportunity for our team,” VU Head Coach Derek Greene said. “We faced a great challenge on the road in an SEC environment against a fantastic USF team. Up front, [the Bulls] have some great attacking players and it’s a testament to how hard our defense battled that we got this victory.”
The game’s lone tally was created by some wonderful midfield play for the Commodores in the 37th minute. Senior Emily Grant was freed up behind the USF defense after she combined with freshman Kirsten Evans on a 1-2 near the top of the 18-yard box. Grant’s shot was saved by USF goalkeeper Nicole McClure, but the rebound was tucked home by West on the far post.
Play was stopped for nearly 40 minutes in the second half when VU goalkeeper Alexa Levick took a knee to the head. Facing a South Florida breakaway, the redshirt-freshman came off her line to take the ball from an attacking player after a long touch. Levick was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.
True freshman Brittanie Barbero saw her first collegiate minutes over the game’s final 33:27 and made two saves. Levick was credited with two saves before leaving the game. Overall, South Florida outshot Vanderbilt, 9-5, and held a 6-1 shot advantage in the second half.
“We saw our team grow up in front of our eyes tonight,” Greene said. “After a disappointing loss last Sunday, they had the ability to bounce back. I’m really proud of the way we stepped up when Alexa went out; the team responded and played for their teammate. This was a big win for us, but we have to put it behind us tomorrow and get ready for another challenge Sunday against the College of Charleston.”
Vanderbilt will face Charleston on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. CT. Live stats will be available on USF’s website at game time.
The Commodores return home next weekend to play host to Middle Tennessee State on Friday, Sept. 9. Game time at the VU Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
