NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt won its 2022 opener 18-13 over Liberty at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
The Commodores won their eighth straight home opener behind a four-goal performance Saturday from Lila Huddles and eight points from Gabby Fornia. Vanderbilt pulled ahead 3-0 early and never trailed in the contest.
Fornia, a fifth-year senior who broke the program’s career assist record last season, picked up right where she left off with assists on each of Vandy’s first two goals. She finished with a team-high six.
Kayla Rieu scored four minutes in for the Dores’ first goal on the season. Liberty responded with three unanswered goals to pull even at 3-3, but Vanderbilt led 6-4 at the end of the first quarter.
Kayla Rieu with the first goal of the season, @gabby_fornia with the assist.
VU 1, LU 0 | 11:00 | 1st Q#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/l3TGNs3mzi
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 12, 2022
Each side scored five goals in the second quarter to send the game to halftime with Vanderbilt on top 11-9. Senior Bri Gross scored all three of her goals in the first half.
Huddles came off the bench and put a jolt into the Vanderbilt offense in the third quarter. She scored her first goal at the 8:54 mark and added another with 5:49 left in the period.
After Liberty cut Vandy’s lead to 13-10, Huddles score her third goal of the quarter just 62 seconds after her second. With 12 seconds left in the third, Huddles fought through a foul and scored an impressive fourth goal while falling down as the Dores took a 16-12 lead into the final 15 minutes.
👀 Lila’s fourth goal of the third quarter.
We take a 16-12 lead to the final 15 minutes. pic.twitter.com/kB55fLaM94
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 12, 2022
Callie Sundin and Fornia each scored their second goals of the game in the fourth quarter to guide Vanderbilt to the 18-13 victory.
Goalkeeper Paige Gunning totaled 13 saves, just two shy of her season-high last season.
The Commodores move to 1-0 and are back at home Feb. 19 against No. 5 Notre Dame.
