March 31, 2007
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite five goals by junior Margie Curran, Vanderbilt (6-4) fell in the final seconds to Stanford, 10-9, at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
With the game knotted at 9-9, Dana Lindsay scored off a behind the net feed from Julie Christy with four seconds remaining to secure the upset for the Cardinal (4-6). It was a fitting end a bizarre game, one which saw five yellow cards and a red card for the 12th ranked Commodores, an empty-net free position shot which was missed by Stanford, and a furious second half rally by Vanderbilt.
The contest began extremely favorably for the Commodores as Curran and senior Kendall Thrift each scored within the first two minutes. After the Cardinal answered with a goal of its own, senior Jennifer Tapscott found the back of the net with 19:19 remaining in the first half to give Vanderbilt a 3-1 lead. But from that point on, Stanford would dominate the rest of the first half, scoring five unanswered goals, including two by Megan McClain, to give the Cardinal a 6-3 lead at halftime.
After Curran began the second half with her second goal of the game less than 30 seconds in, the Commodores began to settle into their game plan to try and cut into the Cardinal lead. What followed over the course of the next five minutes left many shaking their heads and wondering what had just happened.
With just under 28 minutes to go, junior goalkeeper Brooke Shinaberry was given a yellow card, meaning Stanford would have an empty free position goal. The shot somehow hit the post, and the Commodores dodged a major bullet. Another yellow card was given to senior Nicole Pugno, two minutes later, followed by a red card to VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey.
Instead of hurting Vanderbilt, the penalties seemed to serve as a wake-up call, as the Commodores would roar back to take a 7-6 lead with 16:36 remaining, thanks to two goals from Curran and another from Pugno.
Stanford would tie the game again with 15:01 to go, but Curran would once again give the Commodores the lead at 8-7 with her fifth goal of the afternoon at the 13:14 mark. The Cardinal once again reclaimed the lead at 9-8 with 7:04 remaining thanks to goals from Daphne Peterson and Julie Christy. Thrift would then tie the game one last time at nine with her second goal of the game with 4:37 remaining.
Following Thrift’s goal, the Commodores won the draw and were able to maintain possession for nearly the rest of the game. Vanderbilt tried some final shots to give the Commodores the lead, but Stanford goalkeeper Laura Shane kept Vanderbilt shooters frustrated all afternoon, recording 12 saves in the victory.
Stanford regained possession with under 30 seconds remaining and was able to get the ball down field and set up the game winner for Lindsay. The Cardinal then won the ensuing draw, icing the upset for Stanford.
Fortunately, Vanderbilt will not have much time to reflect on the defeat as the Commodores are back on the road this Wednesday when they travel to take on New Hampshire in Durham. Opening draw against the Wildcats is scheduled for 1:30 pm ET.
