CINCINNATI, Ohio – Three Commodores posted a hat trick to blaze past Cincinnati, 13-8, in the season opener on Saturday afternoon at Nippert Stadium. Brooke Baker, Jaime Biskup and Nancy Halleron combined for nine of Vandy’s goals.
“Today was a total team effort,” said head coach Beth Hewitt. “We had a lot of new faces out there and I thought the girls worked hard as a group to build their game day chemistry. We have a lot to learn from our first game but really excited about the first team win.”
Maddie Barkate powered Vanderbilt (1-0) in her debut, posting six points off two goals and four assists. The graduate transfer also grabbed a team-high four draw controls. Baker, a graduate student, kicked off the scoring for the Dores with two first quarter goals. The midfielder scored again in the fourth quarter to give Vanderbilt its final advantage.
Biskup, who missed the 2024 season due to injury, posted three goals, two of which were assisted by Barkate, and grabbed one ground ball and one draw control in her first official game in black and gold.
jaimeeeeeeeee AGAIN pic.twitter.com/htUxjwO9IO
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 8, 2025
Nancy Halleron returned to the starting lineup after being sidelined all of last season due to injury and put up three goals to earn her fifth career hat trick.
We missed Nancy Halleron hat tricks 🤩 pic.twitter.com/QneRvQ2Gdp
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 8, 2025
In goal, junior Molly Joyce put up a career-best seven saves. Barkate, Biskup, and Joyce, along with Amiyah Turner and McKenna Harden all registered their first career starts for the Dores.
Cincinnati (0-1) was led by Camryn Callaghan, who was named USA Lacrosse Preseason All-American, scored three goals off four shots and dished an assist for a team-high four points. Attacker Lauren Ottensmeyer added two goals, one of which came off a free position.
Vanderbilt returns to Music City for its home opener on Wednesday at 2 p.m. During Wednesday’s game, the Dores will celebrate Black History and all Vanderbilt staff and faculty. The game will broadcast on ESPN+.
