| 10/1/2006
by Will Matthews
There was something poetically just Sunday afternoon in Tyler Griffin setting a new, all-time Vanderbilt record for career shutouts by a goalkeeper in a game that ended in a 0-0 tie. Despite out shooting the Auburn Tigers 31-8, the Commodores could not manage to net anything other than their fourth scoreless draw of the season and their school record-tying fifth tie of the year, putting a damper on Griffin’s significant milestone. Never one to focus on personal accolades, Griffin was more intent on the outcome of Sunday’s game than her new record. “We’re not happy that we did not manage to find a way to win a game like this,” Griffin said on the heels of an afternoon that necessitated her making only three saves. “I would definitely liked to have come away with a win today.” Griffin’s shutout Sunday was the 29th of the senior goalkeeper’s storied Vanderbilt career — a career that includes her being named an All-American last year and a preseason All-American this season. Griffin’s mark eclipses the previous school record for career saves by a goalkeeper of 28.5, set in 1995 by Christy Barringer. This is meaningful for both myself and the team,” Griffin said. “I am happy for the team because I think they worked extremely hard today. I wasn’t forced to make a whole lot of saves today.” Barringer, a four-year starter for Vanderbilt, said this week that the fact that her record has fallen is indicative of the strides the women’s soccer program is continuing to make. “I have read about her and from everything that I have read and heard it seems like she is just extremely talented and probably far better than I ever was,” Barringer said. “I certainly wish her and the entire team the very best. I think the fact that she [has broken] a record like this is emblematic of the fact that they are continuing to have players there who are playing at a very high level and that is good to see.” Vanderbilt head coach Ronnie Coveleskie, quick to praise Griffin for both her ability and her humble, team-first attitude, presented Griffin with the game ball in a brief ceremony to commemorate Griffin’s achievement after the game. “This is something that is really special for Tyler,” Coveleskie said. “The whole team deserves a lot of credit for this, and Tyler is not one to ever talk about herself. But she is just an outstanding goalkeeper who deserves all the credit in the world.” |
