Sept. 16, 2016
ESPNU | Live Stats
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt soccer team hits the road for its second conference matchup of the 2016-17 season. On Sunday, Sept. 18th, the Commodores take on Mississippi State at 2:00 pm CT. The inner-conference contest will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.
“I don’t think any of our kids are taking this game lightly,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “I think everyone is excited to play again, I know I am. You get away from the weekend, you get a day off and then you’re ready for the next game.”
After dropping its league opener last Friday to Auburn, 2-1, VU heads to Starkville, Miss. with a 4-4-0 (0-1-0) slate. The Bulldogs have fallen to the Commodores in six of the two team’s last seven meetings. VU most recently kicked off 2015-conference play against MSU, walking away with a 2-1 victory. Having not competed on ESPNU in five seasons, the Commodores hope to wrack up and win in front of a national televised audience.
With only one game on the slate, as opposed to the Thursday – Sunday format, the Commodores had the opportunity to rest up, mentally and physically, this week.
“Tactically we’re able to focus on one team. In the past we’ve had a day of recovery and one day to look ahead. It’s very difficult. This is actually refreshing to have an extra day off and look at the team and figure out what’s the best approach for us to go into the game.”
Vandy’s freshmen class will continue to play a huge role for the ‘Dores on Sunday, as the class leads the squad in five of six statically categories; points, shots, shots on goal, assists and game-winning goals. Senior, Sasha Gray, leads the black and gold in scoring with four goals on ten shots.
Freshman Grace Jackson leads the Commodores in points (11), game-winning goals (2) and assists (5). The Atlanta native’s five assists ranks 13th in the nation. In addition, seven Commodores have helped comprise the team’s 17 goals, with six student-athletes securing multiple goals. Only three Bulldogs have two or more goals for MSU.
Scouting the Bulldogs:
Mississippi State boasts a 5-3 record, with losses to the Arkansas, Lipscomb and Virginia Tech. At home on the MSU Soccer Field, the Bulldogs have amassed a 2-2 record. Like Vandy, Mississippi State also dropped its SEC opener, falling to the Razorbacks, 5-2.
Leading the squad offensively are a trio of Bulldogs with two goals apiece in Mallroy Eubanks, MaKayla Waldner and Kennadi Carbin. Carbin, a freshman, secured the Maroon and Whites lone goal against Arkansas.
Defensively, Tanya de Souza has been the Bulldogs predominant goalkeeper, amassing 35 saves in seven games. Courtney Tompkins took the victory in MSU’s 1-0 victory over Southern Miss.
“When there isn’t one leading scorer, you obviously just want to keep the integrity of your defense, the structure of your shape. If we do that, I think we’ll handle everything the best that we can. You try to control the things that you can, which is your shape, how you possess the ball coming out, how hard you tackle and how hard you compete. If we do those things I think we can do well and create some of our own chances. I really want this to be about us, and what we’re trying to do.”