NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Senior Gabby Fornia set the program career assists record as the Vanderbilt lacrosse team closed the nonconference schedule with a 20-13 win over Kennesaw State on Wednesday at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt (5-2) is a perfect 5-0 at home this season and has now won three a row with American Athletic Conference play on the horizon.
Fornia entered the day tied with Sarah Downing for first in program history with 88 career assists. She broke the record with an assist to Cassidy Orban in the first half and finished with four assists on the day.
“Watching Gabby (Fornia) break the record today in the football stadium was pretty special,” Vanderbilt head coach Beth Hewitt said. “We’ve been kind of watching that for a couple games now thinking she’s going to get it done… I think the one that finally got the job done was pretty awesome. Her vision is just so incredible, and to see someone of her caliber be able to break it in such a hard year I think the whole squad was just really excited for her.”
That’s a school record for Gabby Fornia.
Congratulations to the senior.
Her 89 assists are more than any Commodore in program history. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/ekSQNml1DW— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) March 10, 2021
A total of 12 Commodores scored goals Wednesday led by four from Callie Sundin, three from Orban and two apiece from Maddie Souza, Bri Gross and Kayla Rieu.
Vanderbilt scored the first four goals to take the momentum in the early going. After a Kennesaw State goal, the Commodores answered with the next three for a 7-1 edge.
Back-and-forth play put the score at 9-4 in favor of the Dores until the home side put away the final two goals of the half to take an 11-4 lead into the intermission.
Here’s the school record.
Gabby Fornia is now our all-time assists leader 💪#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/ZEZrvUR2CX
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) March 11, 2021
In the second half, Kennesaw State hung around and used a 5-1 run to trim the Vanderbilt lead down to 18-13 with five minutes to play. Rieu posted both of her goals in the final two minutes to ice the game.
Kennesaw State had 22 turnovers on the day, 17 of which were caused. AAC Defensive Player of the Week Melissa Hawkins anchored the defense with four caused turnovers. Vanderbilt held a 19-16 edge on draw controls thanks to seven from Gross.
In goal, Paige Gunning played the first 36:35, making five saves to pick up the win. Freshman Lexie de Roziere was strong in relief, making seven saves in the first home action of her collegiate career.
Vanderbilt is now 9-0 in the all-time series versus Kennesaw State.
Next on the schedule is the AAC opener at Cincinnati on March 19.
