Commodores win thriller over Missouri 5-3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt soccer team (8-3-1, 3-0-1) was looking to extend their unbeaten streak Friday night against Missouri (5-7-1, 1-3-0) and pick up a crucial three points. They accomplished that task with a thrilling 5-3 win at the VU Soccer Complex in a game that had eight goals, two ties and a number of swings in momentum.

Following the match, assistant coach Ken Masuhr praised the team’s fight and effort after falling behind early and conceding the second half lead.

“I think we are really starting to get a sense of what this team is capable of doing when they compete and fight for each other,” said Masuhr. “Tonight was a great example of our resilience going down a goal early and then giving up a two goal lead in the second half. Obviously that isn’t something that we are happy with but our young team will learn and grow from games like these.”

“Have to credit our upperclassmen who rallied the team together and settled us down when we needed it most. There were some terrific performances from our seniors and as a coaching staff we are really proud of them.”

Missouri got the scoring started early in the 11th minute following a Vanderbilt foul about 30 yards away from goal. Madison Lewis took the free kick for the Tigers and sent the ball low on goal and got underneath Taiana Tolleson for the first goal of the evening.

The Dores kept their composure and created a few chances immediately following the Tiger goal. In the 24th minute, the Dores would capitalize. Simone Charley received the ball just inside the box on the right side and sent a cross towards the six-meter box. Olivia Simmons positioned herself well, got the ball and sent it home for the equalizer.

Seven minutes later, the Commodores struck again and it all got started with Simone Charley. Charley raced towards the ball on the right side of the box and sent a great service towards the back post. Jackie Welch came racing in, beating her defender and sent the header past the keeper to give the Dores a 2-1 lead.

Vanderbilt wasn’t finished in the first half as they created one more chance before the half and it was started by another great ball into the attacking third. This time it was Grace Jackson with the initial touch and sent the ball past the Missouri defense. Gabrielle Rademaker came flying up the right side and lifted the ball up past the sliding Missouri keeper for her second goal of the season and the Dores third of the game.

The Commodores took the 3-1 lead into the half. Heading into the game, they were 4-0 this year when leading at halftime.

Missouri answered in a big way early in the second half. The Tigers tied the game with two quick goals just 13 minutes into the second half.

Jessica Johnson scored the second Missouri goal of the night in the 55th minute after she lofted her shot over Tolleson. Sarah Luebbert got the equalizer for the Tigers just three minutes later. Tolleson made the save on her initial shot but Luebbert stayed with it and sent the rebound into the net to tie the game at three with 32 minutes left.

This was the second straight game the Commodores surrendered the lead in the second half but like last Sunday against Georgia, the team did not panic and kept looking for opportunities in their attacking third.

In the 67th minute, the Dores got the opportunity they needed. Leila Azari beat her defender down the right side and made a turn into the box. She sent the ball low towards the front of the net where it made a deflection off the Missouri keeper and Simone Charley was all over the rebound to score her first goal of the night to go with her two assists.

Vanderbilt would get an insurance goal in the final 10 minutes as Olivia Simmons had a 1-v-1 situation with the keeper. Simmons decided to go low with the shot and it beat the keeper for her second goal of the night.

The Commodores got fresh legs out on the field and packed it into their own end to secure the 5-3 result for the program’s first ever win against Missouri. They were 0-5-3 against the Tigers entering tonight’s contest.

The five goals were a season-high for the Commodores and the most they have scored against an SEC opponent since Oct. 20, 2013, against Mississippi State. The victory improved the Commodores record to 8-0 this year in games that they have scored and extended their unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1).

The Commodores will have the weekend off as they prepare for their next conference test. They will head north next Thursday to face Kentucky with the match set for a 6:30 pm CT start on the SEC Network +.