NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Gwyn Devin scored five times, but Vanderbilt fell Sunday in the final seconds to No. 21 Penn State 14-13 at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
Vanderbilt (4-4) trailed by one in the waning seconds when Bri Gross’ game-tying shot attempt hit the post. Penn State (5-2) recovered the ground ball and ran out the clock.
It was a back-and-forth first half with several lead changes in the first 20 minutes. Penn State jumped out to a 3-1 lead before Gwyn scored Vanderbilt’s next four goals. The fourth gave the Commodores their first lead of the day 6-5 with 9:03 left in the opening half.
However, the Nittany Lions scored three of the last four goals before the break, including the go-ahead goal with two seconds to go for an 8-7 halftime advantage.
Penn State scored the first three goals of the second half for the largest lead of the game, 11-7, with 22:59 to play.
Vanderbilt battled back with four of the next five goals from four different scorers — Callie Sundin, Karlie Bucci, Gabby Fornia and Gross got the Commodores within 12-11 with 13:50 remaining.
The teams traded goals until Gross took the last shot for the Commodores.
Three of Vanderbilt’s four losses have come against top 25 opponents.
The Commodores held a 15-14 advantage on draw controls and 30-26 edge in shots, though the visitors led 24-22 in ground balls. Freshman Paige Gunning made nine saves while Fornia finished with four points (two goals, two assists) and Gross had three with one goal and a pair of assists.
Vanderbilt concludes its six-game homestand at 4 p.m. Wednesday when Notre Dame visits Nashville.
Dores Nearly Tame Nittany Lions by Vanderbilt Athletics on Exposure
