The Commodores begin SEC play this Sunday when they put their seven-game winning streak on the line against Florida at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
NASHVILLE – The Commodores begin SEC play this Sunday when they put their seven-game winning streak on the line against Florida at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Vanderbilt (7-1) is riding the team’s best winning streak since 2005, when it won 11 in a row. Florida (2-5-1) started off the season 2-0, but has lost five of its last six games.
“I have a lot of respect for Florida and what they do,” head coach Darren Ambrose said. “They’re a good team, but I think this year we’re in a very good spot. We’re pretty confident.”
The Dores are coming off four straight shutout victories, the last of which coming in a 3-0 victory against Georgia State.
The Commodores are outscoring their opponents, 18-2, during their winning streak thanks in large part to the combination of Kaylann Boyd, Madison Elwell and Haley Hopkins. The trio has combined to score 12 goals and add five assists during the streak.
Hopkins leads the team with five goals with three of those being game-winners, which is good for fifth in the nation. Boyd (four goals) and Elwell (three) rank just behind Hopkins.
Vanderbilt has only allowed three goals all season thanks to the duo of Lauren Demarchi and Taiana Tolleson. The pair’s goals against average (.375) is good for 14th in the nation. Also, Demarchi is first in the SEC with a .938 save percentage.
Expert passing has been a big part of Vanderbilt’s success. Leila Azari sits atop the team’s lead with four assists, while Hopkins and Olivia Simmons rank right behind her with three.
Vanderbilt has not beaten Florida since 1997, a 2-0 victory in Gainesville.
Florida was picked to finish first in the SEC preseason coaches’ poll and Vanderbilt was picked to finish ninth. Sunday’s matchup will be the first conference game for both teams.
