Dores knock off Auburn 2-1 on senior night

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Heading into the 2017 season, one of the goals for the Vanderbilt soccer team (11-6-1, 6-3-1) was to improve on last year’s finish in the league and jump into the top-four by seasons end. They did just that with the 2-1 win over Auburn (7-5-5, 4-2-4) on senior night. The win secures the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament and a first round bye for the Commodores.

Following the match, head coach Darren Ambrose was almost at a loss for words on what this top-four finish meant for the senior class.

“I am almost at a loss for words,” said Ambrose. “I am ecstatic for them, especially for Tina, Lydia and Simone. When I came in here in January of 2015, they were desperate to be successful. They wanted to win, they wanted to know how to win and it is through them and because of them that we are standing here tonight where we are.”

Following the pregame ceremonies for the seven seniors, it was only fitting that the first goal of the match came early on from one of the seniors.

Vanderbilt was able to strike first in the 14th minute and the play got started by Myra Konte. Konte made a run up the left side and sent the ball up to a streaking Rebecca Rossett. Rossett sent the ball towards the middle of the pitch where Simone Charley was settled just outside of the box. Charley stepped back and sent a pass over to Lydia Simmons. Simmons took a few touches, got the ball to her left foot and then fired a shot that ricocheted off the far post and in for the goal.

It was the second goal of the season for Simmons and Charley tallied her team-high sixth assist.

The play went back and forth for the rest of the half and the Commodores looked to take a 1-0 lead into the break but the Dores were able to create an opportunity in the final minute.

Nia Dorsey settled the ball on the left side and sent a through ball up to Myra Konte. Konte tried to send a cross into the box but an Auburn defender deflected the ball. Dorsey was able to get to the loose ball, sent it across to Jackie Welch, who one-timed it into the net for goal and took a 2-0 lead into the half.

In the second half, Auburn upped the pressure and look to cut into the Commodores lead. The Tigers switched up their formation a few times to gain more advantage in the attacking third.

The Dores were able to keep the Tigers off the board until the 74th minute when they finally broke through.

Auburn won a ball at midfield and Taylor Troutman sent a through ball up to Rocio Sanders. She took one touch and sent a shot towards the far post that beat Kaitlyn Fahrner and cut the Commodores lead to one.

The Tigers had a couple of opportunities in the final 15 minutes of play but the Commodore defense was able to hold on and gave the Dores a 2-1 win on senior night.

The Commodores finished the regular season with an 11-6-1 overall record and 6-3-1 in conference play. It is the most SEC wins since the 2006 season when they finished 2nd in the SEC East and clinched their last NCAA tournament berth.

The Dores will head down to Orange Beach, Ala. for their third straight trip to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The Commodores haven’t made it to three straight SEC Tournaments since 2003-06 when they went in four-consecutive seasons.

The No. 4 seed gives the Commodores a first round bye for the second straight year and sets up a rematch with the No. 5 seed Tennessee. That quarterfinal matchup will be Tuesday night with an estimated 7:30 pm CT start. All SEC Tournament matches will be broadcast on the SEC Network.