COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Commodores came from behind to extend their winning streak to 10 games in defeating Missouri, 2-1, on Sunday at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium.
Vanderbilt (10-1, 3-0) sits first in the SEC standings with nine points, and its 10-game winning streak is the longest in program history since the 2005 team won 11 in a row. The Commodores ended Missouri’s (4-4-2, 1-1-1) four-game winning streak.
“At halftime we felt we could win the game and there was no doubt in our mind that if we could just eliminate one-two small mistakes, we’ll make that happen,” head coach Darren Ambrose said. Give the credit to our kids. They battle and they believe but they fight really hard. It’s not luck. It’s belief and hard work and a commitment to each other that’s making a difference for this team.”
With the game all tied up at 1-1, Madison Elwell streaked up the left sideline and delivered a cross in the front of the box. Haley Hopkins had a beat on the ball as a Missouri defender tried to deflect the ball out of play, but Mizzou’s player wound up scoring an own goal to give the Dores a 2-1 lead in the 83rd minute.
The Dores were not fazed by an early deficit. They held a 10-1 corner kick advantage, and one of those corners led to the equalizing goal in the game. Elwell took the corner kick in the 60th minute and delivered a perfect cross to Olivia Simmons who headed it toward the goal. Bethany Coons from Missouri raised her hand to block the shot, earning a red card.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Kaylann Boyd stepped up and notched her sixth goal of the season with a shot into the lower left-hand section of the goal.
“I think as a team we played really well not giving up,” Elwell said. “Although we didn’t start and keep the same urgency that we’ve had in the last games, we didn’t let that get to us. Coming out in the second half we were able to reinstall that and play the way we planned to.”
Lauren Demarchi got the start in goal for the Dores, recording two saves in 90 minutes of work. Her lone miscue came after a shot hit the crossbar and found its way to a Tiger who headed it into the back of the net.
The two teams were even in shots and fouls with 12 apiece, but the Dores held a 5-3 shots on goal advantage. It remained a physical play with numerous cards being handed out, all of which came in the second half.
Ella Shamburger and Hopkins received yellow cards for the Dores while Madison Lewis, Cassidy Nurnberger and the Tigers’ bench received yellow cards.
The Commodores are back home next Sunday when they face Georgia (4-3-3, 1-0-1) at 4:00 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
