NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 4/3 Vanderbilt exploded for five goals on Friday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex, earning a 5-0 win over Texas A&M.
The Commodores’ (8-0-1, 1-0-1 SEC) attack was once again blistering, scoring four-plus goals for the fifth time this season. Courtney Jones opened the scoring in the 26th minute and added a penalty in the second half, the third brace of her career. The senior now has 53 career points, just the fifth Dore to reach 50 since 2011.
After Jones broke through, Sydney Watts found the back of the net six minutes later for her ninth goal in as many games this season. She is now tied with Haley Hopkins for second place in career goals at Vanderbilt (34).
Jones’ penalty in the 65th minute put the game out of reach, and after an Aggie defender was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, Vandy kept their foot on the gas for their second-highest goal tally of the year. Lena Tusche added a fourth in astounding fashion, and Mia Hebert scored her first collegiate goal in the 81st minute.
It was the usual suspects in the assist column, with Olivia Stafford picking up two and Tusche adding one. The duo is tied with a team-best seven assists each which sits atop the SEC. Grace Freeman and Lawson Hopkins also added their first assists of the season.
The Dores will hit the road to take on Ole Miss Thursday at 7 p.m. before a top-10 showdown with No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville on Sunday.