NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt soccer opens the 2024 season on Thursday afternoon, traveling to Washington, D.C., to visit Georgetown. The match is slated for 3 p.m. CT and will be shown on Flo TV.
The Commodores return 18 players, including their top seven scorers in Rachel Deresky (seven), Ella Eggleston (five), Courtney Jones (four), Addie Porter (three), Abi Brighton (two), Mia Castillo (two) and Hannah McLaughlin (two). Vandy also returns both keepers in Kate Devine and Sara Wojdelko who combined for nine clean sheets, the most since Vandy’s keepers registered 11 shutouts during the 2019 season.
During the offseason, Vanderbilt added five transfers, Vivian Akyirem, Mia Gonzalez, Jessica Hinton, Julianne Leskauskas and Maci Teater along with four freshmen, Neliaj Deleon, Ellie Fife, Mary Beth McLaughlin and Ava Slay, to its roster. The Dores finished 8-5-5 overall last season, just shy of qualifying for their ninth consecutive SEC tournament.
Vanderbilt landed seven players on the SEC Preseason Watchlist, announced by the conference this morning. Fifth-years Abi Brighton and Leskauskas, seniors Rachel Deresky and Addie Porter, junior Hannah McLaughlin and sophomores Ella Eggleston and Courtney Jones represent the Dores. The Commodores were also picked to finish ninth in the coaches’ poll.
Georgetown, ranked No. 21 by Top Drawer Soccer and receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches polls, finished the 2023 season 13-2-7 overall and won its fourth consecutive BIG EAST tournament title. The Hoyas made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to St. Louis 2-1 at State College.
Thursday’s tilt will be the first between the schools in program history.
The Commodores will open the home portion of the schedule with six consecutive games starting Thursday, August 22, against Belmont.
