Aug. 24, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Celebrating 30 years of soccer this season, the Vanderbilt soccer team will accomplish a first for the program. The squad faces the No. 1 team in the country for the first time, as the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles head to West End Thursday night at 7:30 pm CT.
With soccer season now in full swing, the Commodores open up home play against the `Noles for `Back to School Night’. Academic Packs (pencil case, ruler etc.) will be given out to the first 250 grade school kids. Thursday’s matchup will also be the first time students can earn anchor points, as well as enter into a drawing for a 40-inch Smart TV.
“This game is a great opportunity for our team,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “We want our program to ascend to those levels. That’s the idea … to aspire to be better and to push yourself. I think it’s great to play against a team like this. Yes, it’s a challenge, the odds are against us a little bit, but it’s a great opportunity for our team to play against arguably one of the most consistent teams in the last 10 years.”
Vanderbilt heads into the first competition between the two programs with a 1-1-0 record, having defeated Miami of Ohio 2-1 in overtime and falling 2-0 to Lipscomb. Two exhibitions and two matches in, the Commodores have learned a lot about teamselves. With nine of the team’s 12 fresh faces earning minutes, the surprising pace and expectations of college soccer are beginning to soak in.
“I think it (collegiate soccer) has been eye opening for them. Obviously tomorrow night will be the pinnacle of eye opening, but slowly but surly, but I think it is starting to soak in. It all started in practice. We’re starting to really get after each other a little bit, but that’s what we’re going to have to have as we get into the rest of our schedule.”
While two newcomers, Kaylann Boyd and Jackie Welch, secured VU its two goals of the season on offense, it’s the Vanderbilt defense that will need to be on its toes against the Seminole attack. An offensive juggernaut that prides itself on patience, the `Dores will need to stay locked in during 90 minutes of nonconference action.
Thursday’s tilt is also a full circle moment for Ambrose and Kacy Scarpa. Before becoming the head coach at Penn, Ambrose worked as the Seminoles assistant coach in 1999. Scarpa played for the `Noles in 2013 and 2014 before transferring to Vanderbilt, where she has since emerged as the program’s leader.
The last time the Commodores downed a top-10 opponent was last season against No. 8 South Carolina. VU stunned the Gamecocks in Columbia, 2-1, with an overtime goal by Simone Charley in the 97th minute.
Scouting the Seminoles:
FSU kicked off its season on the road, traveling to College Station, Texas for a top-10 matchup against the No. 8 Aggies. The `Noles escaped one of the toughest road trips of the season with a 1-0 victory. A goal from freshman Deyna Castellanos in the second minute proved to be the game-winner in the matchup of non-conference foes.
Out of Cork, Ireland, Megan Connolly, will look to cause chaos for the Commodores. Last season, Connolly posted one of the best freshman seasons in Florida State history leading the team with 28 points on nine goals and 10 assists. She became the first Seminole freshman to be named an NSCAA First Team All-American and also was chosen as the TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year.
Once on the attack, Vanderbilt will look to outmuscle an experienced FSU student-athlete in senior captain and leader of the backline, Kristen Crowley. Crowley helped the Seminoles set two NCAA Tournament records with 10 consecutive shutouts and a consecutive scoreless streak of 931:47 in postseason play.