NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt soccer team hosts a pair of SEC foes in the squad’s final homestand of the 2016 season. The `Dores square off against the second-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks at 7:00 pm on Oct. 20 and the Ole Miss Rebels on the 23 at 1 p.m. All Vanderbilt soccer games are free to the public with contests also broadcast live on SECN+.
Sitting sixth in the SEC standings, the Commodores own an 8-6-1 overall record going 4-3-1 in SEC matchups. Seven multi-goal scorers and Vanderbilt’s athletic defensive backline have contributed to a 5-2-1 home record.
Grace Jackson leads the team in points (16), goals (5), assists (6) and game-winning goals (3). The Commodores have a four-way tie for second place in scoring with Kaylann Boyd, Jackie Welch, Sasha Gray and Hannon Eberts all netting fours goals this season.
Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Demarchi has made impressive back-to-back starts for the black and gold. The Hudson, Ohio native has 11 saves to her name in 221 minutes of play.
Last Time Out:
The `Dores fell 2-1 on the road to the Missouri Tigers last Friday. After allowing a goal early, Kaylann Boyd secured the equalizer in the 55th minute following a handball in the box.
While the Commodore defense showed off several times in the first half with goal line stands, sloppy possession less than 10 minutes after the Commodores tied it up, led to the Tigers reclaiming the lead. The Vandy stumble allowed Kaitlyn Clark enough time to find Luebbert running into the box. Off one touch, the striker made it 2-1 Mizzou in the 59th minute.
Scouting the Gamecocks:
The No. 2 Gamecocks boast an undefeated 14-0-1 record and are 8-0-0 in SEC. South Carolina heads to West End coming off a tight 1-0 double overtime home victory over the No. 17 Florida Gators. SC has only allowed two goals in league play and six overall. The squad’s one draw this season came on the road in their second contest of the year against Oklahoma.
Junior Savannah McCaskill leads the Gamecocks in nearly every statistical category with 29 points, 11 goals, seven assists, 76 shots and six game-winning goals. SC’s defense has helped record nine shutout victories front of goalkeeper Mika Krzeczoeski. The lone freshman starter boasts 32 saves in 12 competitions.
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series against South Carolina, 14-4-5. Last season, VU downed then-No. 8 SC in double overtime for head coach Darren Ambrose’s first SEC road win. The 2-1 victory in 2015 was the Commodores’ first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 23 Wisconsin on Sept. 6, 2013.
Scouting the Rebels:
Before traveling to Nashville, Ole Miss takes on Georgia Thursday night to begin a three-game road stretch to end the regular season. The Rebels are 9-7-0 (4-4-0) heading to Athens and coming off a thrilling 2-1 win over Texas A&M on Friday, where the Rebs scored two late goals in the second half to claim their first home win over the Aggies.
In SEC play, five different players have found the net, while three additional players have recorded assists. Sophomore CeCe Kizer has earned 11 points in her last six games and is second on the team with 16 points. Sophomore goalkeeper Marnie Merritt continues to climb up the career record charts, sitting fifth in goals allowed average (1.23), eighth in saves (148), sixth in goalkeeper wins (23) and sixth in shutouts (11).
Promotions:
Fans are encouraged to participate in the Commodores’ Neon Out versus SC with the first 100 fans to check in at the marketing table receiving a Vanderbilt Soccer neon shirt.
On Sunday, senior day festivities begin at 12:45 p.m. as the squad honors its three seniors, Claire Anderson, Sasha Gray and Kacy Scarpa.