NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team won its 2011 regular season opener 1-0 over visiting Furman Sunday at the VU Soccer Complex.
The Commodores out shot the Paladins, 20-6, on the day, but the game remained scoreless into the 84th minute. That’s when sophomore transfer Abby Carr dribbled toward the end line and crossed the ball toward sophomore Claire Romaine, who was making a run toward the penalty spot. A Furman defender slid to clear the ball, but the attempt found its way just inside the Paladins’ near post to give the Commodores their decisive 1-0 advantage.
Coming off the bench to play center forward, Carr led all players with five total shots, including three shots on goal. Freshman Alexa Levick made two saves to earn a shutout in her first collegiate action. The Ohio native redshirted last season.
After a slow start, the Commodores would reel off 14 shots in the first half against only three for Furman. The Paladins played more evenly in the second stanza, only being out shot 6-4. In the final 10 minutes, the Commodores ramped up the pressure and finally broke through at 83:58.
The Commodores continue their season-opening three-game homestand next weekend when Western Kentucky and Missouri State are scheduled to visit the VU Soccer Complex. On Friday, August 26, Western and Vanderbilt will kickoff at 7 p.m. CT. Sunday’s game against Missouri State will be a 1 p.m. kickoff.
