NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The rematch of the 2020 SEC tournament championship game turned into an instant classic as the Vanderbilt soccer team came up just short in a 1-0 overtime defeat at the hands of No. 7 Arkansas at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m really proud of the group,” Vanderbilt head coach Darren Ambrose said. “I thought we battled incredibly well. Arkansas is a tough, physical team. They play one way, and I thought we handled it very well. It’s a game of inches at times, and it’s a game of five seconds. I can’t fault our kids. I’m proud of them.”
👊 Proud coach.
🗣️ @Darren__Ambrose #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/UVN8LeYJcd
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) October 10, 2021
Vanderbilt (6-6-2, 3-2-1 SEC) kept the high-scoring Razorbacks (11-2-0, 6-0-0 SEC) off the scoreboard through regulation and into the 93rd minute until Parker Goins broke through for the golden goal.
The majority of the play in the first half was back-and-forth in the midfield.
The Razorbacks outshot the Commodores by a 6-1 margin in the opening 45 minutes. Kate Devine tallied four first-half saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
Just 12 minutes into the second half, Maddie Elwell sent in a shot from 22 yards out that rang off the crossbar and out.
Arkansas had chances to take the lead in the second half. Devine made a pair of stops in the 52nd minute — including a diving save from point-blank range.
So Devine.
Kate doing her thing. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/8nIRDYdsUw
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) October 10, 2021
In the 85th minute, Vanderbilt came within inches of taking the lead when Elwell’s shot from 18 yards out went just wide of the right post.
Moments later, Quinn Cornog’s shot sailed just over the crossbar in the 89th minute to keep it scoreless heading to overtime.
So much skill on display here by Quinn. Just high. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/VaBXW1N7aT
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) October 10, 2021
The Commodores earned two corner kicks in overtime and had a shot on goal, but Arkansas’ defense was up for the task.
Devine finished the match with seven saves.
The Dores are back on the road to take on Ole Miss on Oct. 17.
SEC Championship Rematch by Vanderbilt Athletics on on Exposure
