Dores Tripped Up

Vandy falls at Texas A&M, 1-0

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Vanderbilt soccer team fell by a 2-1 final score on the road at Texas A&M in an SEC battle Sunday afternoon at Ellis Field. 

Vanderbilt (7-8-2, 4-4-1 SEC) could not overcome goals in both halves by the Aggies (7-8-2, 3-5-1 SEC).

“We were off a step physically today,” Vanderbilt head coach Darren Ambrose said. “It’s a disappointing result for us, but a lot of our younger players got quality minutes that will be helpful in the future. We weren’t able to create enough offensively and Texas A&M capitalized on two mental errors – which is the most disappointing part for us. We have three days to get it right for Georgia.”

Texas A&M scored the game’s first goal in the 20th minute on a Karlina Sample header from a Barbara Olivieri corner kick. 

The young Dores bounced back with the equalizer in the 30th minute – leveling the score at 1-1. Freshman Rachel Deresky carried the ball down the left flank and found fellow freshman Hillary Schroeder in stride for her second goal of the season. 

Vandy produced a number of chances in the second half. Quinn Cornog’s 56th minute shot was turned away, and Maya Antoine jumped into the offense to rip a shot in the 62nd minute that was saved. 

Texas A&M took the 2-1 lead in the 67th minute on a strike from Olivieri from 25 yards out. 

Down the stretch, Deresky fired a shot that went wide and another offensive push by the Dores was negated by an offside call. 

Coming off a career-high eight saves in a win over No. 10 Tennessee, sophomore goalkeeper Kate Devine tallied two saves on Sunday. 

The Commodores will conclude the regular season Thursday on the road at Georgia.