Oct. 25, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt Commodores (10-6-1, 5-3-1) return home this week for Senior Night as they take on Auburn (7-4-5, 4-1-4) in the final regular season match of the year.
Stephanie Amack, Simone Charley, Cristina De Zeeuw, Kaitlyn Fahrner, Danae O’Halloran, Lydia Simmons and Danielle Snajder will all be honored prior to Thursday’s match. The match will be televised nationwide on the SEC Network and will start at 8:00 pm CT with the senior ceremonies beginning at 7:45 pm.
The Commodores are coming off a 1-1 week in which they upset No. 11 Tennessee at home 2-1 on Thursday and fell on the road against No. 14 Texas A&M 2-1 on Sunday.
The Dores played in front of a packed house Thursday as they renewed the rivalry with in-state foe Tennessee. Myra Konte drew a foul in the box that resulted in a penalty kick for Stephanie Amack in the 16th minute. Amack beat the keeper for the game’s first goal and gave the Dores a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Lydia Simmons sent a free kick into the box and Paola Ellis was there to head it past the keeper for her first career goal and put the Dores up 2-0. Tennessee would get a goal back but the Commodores held on for the 2-1 win.
Sunday in College Station, the Commodores ended up shorthanded due to an injury in the first half and relied heavily on their freshman. In total, eight freshmen saw the field against the No. 14 team in the country and they held the Aggies scoreless for the first 55 minutes of the match.
Simone Charley scored the first goal of the match in the 47th minute to give the Commodores the lead. The Aggies answered and scored twice within three minutes to take a 2-1 lead. The Commodores had a few chances down the stretch but couldn’t finish them off and fell 2-1.
Scouting the Tigers:
Auburn enters the final match of the regular season with a 7-4-5 overall record, 4-1-4 in conference play and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The Tigers are coming off a week where they earned a draw in both matches. They tied Ole Miss 2-2 on the road and then had a scoreless draw with LSU at home.
Kristen Dodson holds the team lead in goals with eight and points with 19. Bri Folds and Alyssa Malonson are tied for the team lead in assists with six each. Sarah Le Beau has played every minute for the Tigers in net this season. She has made 58 saves, holds a 1.18 goals against average and has seven clean sheets on the year.
Vanderbilt holds a 6-10-4 all-time record against Auburn. The two teams met last season in Auburn with the Tigers winning the SEC opener 2-1. Sasha Gray scored the Commodores only goal off the assist from Nia Dorsey. Vanderbilt is looking for its first win over Auburn since 2005.