LEXINGTON, Ky. – In another sign of a growing program under first-year coach Darren Ambrose, the Vanderbilt soccer team once again showed a nationally ranked team it was more than up to the challenge.
And the Commodores left Lexington with a crucial point.
The defense and goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami withstood 25 shots from No. 20 Kentucky and made sure none found the back of the net in a scoreless tie after two overtimes on Friday night.
“I was really proud of how hard we fought tonight,” Ambrose said. “Kentucky is a dangerous team and I thought we did what we had to do. I didn’t think we were particularly good in possession, and at times we were our own worst enemy, giving the ball away in bad spots. However, there are games when we have been very good in all aspects and lost or tied. Tonight we found a way to grab a point when we didn’t play as well as I think we are capable.”
The Commodores, who are trying to make the SEC Tournament for the first time since 2010, now have six points in SEC play. With five league games remaining, VU is tied for 10th place with Georgia. The top 10 teams make the SEC Tournament, which will be held from Nov. 2-8 in Orange Beach, Ala.
Vanderbilt (5-5-4, 1-2-3 SEC) recorded its third straight tie for a 4-2-4 record in its last 10 games. The only two losses during the stretch were to Top 10 foes Texas A&M and Florida, both one-goal losses.
On Friday, the Commodores were outshot 25-7 by Kentucky (9-2-3, 3-1-2). But the Wildcats only managed nine shots on goal. Vanderbilt’s defense, led by the steady play of three-year captain Erin Myers, Cristina De Zeeuw, Kelsey Tillman and Danae O’Halloran, bothered UK all night and forced wayward shots.
When the chances did loom near goal, Ogunsami was there. The sophomore posted her fourth shutout of the year with eight saves. She closed out the game with two big saves in the final minutes of the second overtime, including a great stop diving to her left. She also had some help near the end of regulation when Tillman and the defense cleared a shot near the goal line for a team save.
“I think our back line and goalkeeper deserve a lot of credit for their efforts,” Ambrose said. “But overall it was a good team effort to earn a point. Christiana made a couple of big saves in key moments, which is what the team needed tonight.”
The Commodores haven’t allowed a goal since Sept. 27 against Tennessee for a span of nearly 285 minutes of shutout defense.
Vanderbilt also received stellar play from freshmen Kelsey Carrier and Brook Colangelo. Carrier, who has played in all 14 games, came off the bench for 70 minutes and provided stability in the midfield. Colangelo also added much-needed depth with 58 minutes. It was the first action of the season for the forward/midfielder as she has been sidelined due to an injury in the offseason.
The Commodores return home to host Arkansas at 1 p.m. on Sunday in at the VU Soccer Complex. Admission is free and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network +.
