Oct. 12, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Sunday, goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami made sure Vanderbilt’s shutout streak stayed intact.
On Monday, the Vanderbilt sophomore was recognized for an impressive weekend as she was named the SEC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Ogunsami posted two shutouts and made 10 saves in a scoreless tie at No. 20 Kentucky on Friday and a 1-0 home victory over Arkansas on Sunday.
Headed by Ogunsami’s play in goal, the Commodores have rattled off three shutouts in the midst of a four-game unbeaten streak. Ogunsami and the defense hasn’t allowed a goal since Sept. 27  a span of two weeks, four games and 375 minutes. Vanderbilt last had three straight shutouts in 2009.
Against No. 20 Kentucky on the road on Friday, the 5-foot-11 sophomore from Cherry Hill, N.J., had arguably her best performance of the season in a 0-0 tie. She made eight saves against a Kentucky attack that fired off 25 shots. Ogunsami was especially big in the clutch. She made four saves in the two overtimes, including a leaping stop to her left in the 108th minute to preserve the tie.
She then notched her fifth shutout of the season and third straight in a 1-0 victory over Arkansas on Sunday. She made two saves and on three occasions jumped out and intercepted corner kicks, preventing plays from developing.
Ogunsami ranks in the top three in the SEC in saves (62), saves per game (4.13) and save percentage (.886). Her goals against average has dropped to 1.00 for sixth-best in the league.
Vanderbilt and Ogunsami return to action at 6 p.m. on Friday against No. 20 South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.