NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Close friends who have spent the last four years together on and off the soccer field, Ashley Oswald knew exactly what to expect when she dumped the ball off to fellow senior Gena Inbusch.
“She can definitely rip a lot of shots,” Oswald said.
Inbusch showed off her range with her first goal of the season – the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over crosstown rival Lipscomb on Friday night at the VU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex. Inbusch’s goal in the 43rd minute was enough for Vanderbilt to snap a two-game losing streak and stay undefeated at home this season.
Both Oswald and Inbusch came off the bench to provide a spark for the Commodores (4-3), who are 3-0 at home this year.
Off a pass from fellow senior Cherrelle Jarrett, Oswald immediately felt pressure from a Lipscomb defender as she neared the edge of the penalty box. Oswald, picking up her first assist of the season, surged forward to defend against the tackle and the ball popped over to Inbusch. The 5-foot-10 forward from Upper Arlington, Ohio took one dribble and fired a shot with her left foot from 18 yards out that breezed by a defender and soared into top right corner. It was her eighth career goal.
“I definitely saw the pressure coming onto Ashley which was great because that defender stepping to her opened up the space to shoot,” Inbusch said. “As soon as I saw that player go I knew she would get it off to me. From there I just wanted to get it in the back of the net. It felt good, really good. Especially to do it as a senior, in a game where we needed a goal and an assist from another senior, which is fun. To be out here and take advantage of the opportunities, it felt good.”
“One of the things we talked about is getting a goal from distance,” coach Derek Greene said. “I’m really proud of Gena Inbusch for coming in and just keeping her heading up when and being positive when she didn’t get a lot of minutes last week. Just really proud of her for that.”
The Commodores fired off 15 shots, including eight on goal. Sophomore Simone Charley led the way with six shots, including three on goal. Lipscomb (4-3-1) had eight shots, but just two came after halftime as Vanderbilt controlled possession.
The loss snapped a program-best three-game losing streak for the Lady Bisons.
“We had a little chip on our shoulder being from the same city,” Oswald said. “Throughout the full 90 both teams gritted it out. Our coaches said in the first half we were a bit more clean and crisp. We had to do what he had to do to get points on the scoreboard. They were a definitely a good team and it was tough but we gritted it out until the final minute and it was a great win.”
Freshman goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami, who entered the game with a SEC-high 30 saves, made three saves to post her second career shutout. Through seven games, Vanderbilt hasn’t allowed a first-half goal.
“It was great,” Greene said of the win. “We knew Lipscomb was going to pose a great challenge for us. They’re a very good team. They’re very well coached. They’ve got some good wins this year. We knew they would come in and have a game plan. I thought we were really good in the first half. We were buzzing around, moving the ball, created some good chances, had some good chances on set pieces… Just a great win for us.”
The win snapped a two-game winning streak and gave Vanderbilt some much-confidence after a pair of one-goal losses on the road last weekend to Rice and North Texas.
Through seven games, the Commodores already have as many wins as they did in 2013. In addition, they have won three games at home for the most in a season since the 2011 team picked up six wins at home.
Vanderbilt will try to make it four home wins in 2014 as it hosts Chattanooga at 1 p.m. on Sunday in a game broadcast on SEC Network+.
“We’ve beaten a couple really good teams here at home,” Greene said. “It is not easy. We’ve struggled here at home over the years. Hopefully this team is continuing to grow and this program continues to find a way. Our kids are finding a way this year so it is exciting to see. So hopefully there is more to come.”
