Feb. 27, 2018
Vanderbilt lacrosse battled back from multiple deficits Tuesday, but ultimately lost a nail-biter to Louisville, 17-15.
The Commodores (3-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) suffered their first loss of the season against the Cardinals (5-1, 0-0 ACC) in a battle of teams that received votes in this week’s Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. Vanderbilt’s appearance in the poll marked their first since April 2012.
Senior attacker Kayla Peterson tied the Vanderbilt program record set by Sue Napolitano on March 25, 1996, with a career-high eight goals for the Commodores, who trailed 6-1 in the first half and 17-11 with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation before nearly forcing overtime.
“I could see it in my players’ eyes,” Vanderbilt head coach Cathy Swezey said after the game. “I could see it in the way they were carrying themselves. They truly believed they could come back and win. Louisville was a tough team, they’re well-coached, and I was really excited to see that kind of fortitude in our players.”
Trailing by six with 7:37 remaining, junior midfielder Julie Blaze answered what would be Louisville’s final goal just 23 seconds later with a goal of her own to cut the deficit to 17-12. Moments later, freshman attacker Gabrielle Fornia charged out from behind the net and scored with 4:41 remaining, making it 17-13.
Freshman attacker Sophie Furlong made it 17-14 with 2:51 left, and Peterson’s eighth goal of the game established a new career-high and pulled the Dores within two just past the two-minute mark of regulation. Vanderbilt, however, could not capitalize on a man-up opportunity in the game’s final minute to drop the team’s first game of the season.
Peterson scored five of her eight goals in the second half, surpassing her previous record of seven against Butler on March 25, 2017.
“She’s an unbelievable cutter, the way she gets open,” Swezey said about her senior scorer. “She’s on the receiving end of some kids that just know how to get her the ball. They know she will come up with it, and she just doesn’t drop passes. In the end, she’s just such a great finisher.”
Sophomore attacker Emily Mathewson assisted on three of Peterson’s eight scores, and Blaze set up a pair. Both players finished with four points. Freshman attacker Sophie Furlong scored three goals for her first collegiate hat trick.
The Commodores conclude their three-game homestand on Monday, March 5, with opening draw at 1 p.m. against William & Mary. Admission is free at the VU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
