NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Less than two minutes in, Vanderbilt found itself in an uphill battle.
The Commodores never recovered, suffering a 3-1 loss to Georgia on Friday night at the VU Soccer Complex. A goal in the second minute from the Bulldogs proved to be a telling sign as Vanderbilt trailed by three goals at halftime. Kelsey Tillman’s goal in the 74th minute wasn’t enough to spark a rally as the ‘Dores suffered their first loss since Sept. 25, snapping a five-game unbeaten streak.
With Mississippi State and Alabama losing on Friday night, the Commodores (7-6-4, 3-3-3) could have clinched a spot in the SEC Tournament with a win. Instead, with two regular-season games remaining they’ll have to wait until Sunday against Missouri to try to lock up a berth. A Vanderbilt win and a Georgia loss or tie Sunday would secure a trip to the SEC Tournament.
“It’s a humbling game,” Vanderbilt coach Darren Ambrose said. “I said it earlier in the week, ‘Are we ready to play with something to play for?’ The answer tonight was obviously no. We’re strolling around thinking we’re a really good team. But what we forgot tonight and what has made us a good team is the competitive fight. We kick, we fight, we scratch, we run through tackles. We didn’t do any of that. We absolutely got what we deserve and we were beaten by a better Georgia team. They played with freedom. They came with a desire to win. And we played like a team trying not to lose.”
The Bulldogs (4-10-1, 3-6) came out of the gate aggressive. Becca Rasmussen dribbled on the end line and served a pass across the box to Bella Hartley, who booted a shot with her left foot that. Goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami dove to stop the shot but the ball bounced off her hands, banged off the near post and in to give Georgia a 1-0 lead just 1:56 into the game.
In the 17th minute, Marion Crowder scored what would be the game winner to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Sydney Shultis headed the ball into the box, where Rasmussen headed on her pass to Marion Crowder, who got behind the defense and tapped in a goal with her left foot. Cara Smith ended the scoring for Georgia in the 41st minute for a 3-0 halftime lead. Smith was there to pick up the rebound and score off Maddie Burdick’s initial shot, which was saved by Ogunsami.
Tillman prevented a shutout with her first goal of the season in the 74th minute. Lydia Simmons sent a corner kick into the box and Simone Charley blasted a shot that went off the crossbar. But Tillman was there to knock in the rebound to cut the lead 3-1.
The Commodores wouldn’t get any closer, losing their first game in nearly a month. Vanderbilt outshot Georgia 18-17, but only seven were on goal and Georgia goalkeeper Louise Hogrell made six saves. Ogunsami had five for the Commodores. The Bulldogs generated six corner kicks compared to Vanderbilt’s three.
The ‘Dores will try to bounce back on Sunday against Missouri, which is tied with Florida atop the SEC standings. Opening kick is set for 1:05 p.m. at the VU Soccer Complex. Admission is free and the game can be watched on SEC Network +. It will be the last home game of the season for the Commodores and Senior Day as seniors Jamie Kator, Erin Myers, Shannon Morrish, Keegan Thimons, Kelsey Tillman, Taylor Elliott and Andie Lakin will be honored.
