STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Vanderbilt began the 2020 season with a thrilling, 14-11 victory over Wagner on Sunday at Hameline Field.
The Commodores (1-0) outscored the Seahawks 8-4 in the second half to complete the comeback after going into halftime down one goal.
Vanderbilt continues its three-game road trip to begin 2020 next Sunday at No. 5 Boston College.
At 10-all with 10 minutes remaining in the second half, the Commodores took over and didn’t look back. Callie Sundin scored what would be the game-winning goal off an assist from Cassidy Orban and would go on to assist Emily Mathewson on the following possession to make it 12-10.
50′ » Callie Sundin with her second of the game.
⚓️ 11
🦅 10
2nd » 10:23
#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/dXiYKnWOj5— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 9, 2020
After Wagner (0-1) answered to make it a one-goal game again, the Commodores turned to the duo of Gabby Fornia and Mikela McCauley. McCauley, a freshman, took the feed from Fornia and scored a highlight reel behind-the-back goal to extend Vanderbilt’s lead.
55′ » Up one. Behind-the-back from the freshman?
No problem.
⚓️ 13
🦅 11
2nd » 5:53
#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/Tcyx1FfSw5— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 9, 2020
Then Fornia would score her fourth goal of the game on the next possession to put the game out of reach and seal Vanderbilt’s first win of 2020.
McCauley scored a hat trick in her first collegiate game while the second half was highlighted by another duo in Karlie Bucci and Bri Gross.
Down 9-7, the tandem teamed up on two straight possessions with Bucci assisting Gross for back-to-back goals and a tie game.
44′ » BUCCI ➡️ GROSS. AGAIN.
⚓️ 9
🦅 9
2nd » 16:04
#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/YZiGTDlmLh— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) February 9, 2020
Both teams traded goals in the first half with Wagner taking the 7-6 advantage into the break.
Gross also finished the game with a hat trick while Sundin added two goals and senior captain Gwyn Devin scored Vandy’s first goal of the game.
Bucci led the way with three assists and several Commodores registered an assist in the contest – Fornia, Mathewson, Orban and Sundin finished the game with one assist apiece.
This is the second straight season Vanderbilt has opened its season against Wagner and for the second straight time the Commodores came out on top. Vanderbilt moves to 2-0 against Wagner and gave the Seahawks their first home loss since 2018.
With a goal and assist, Mathewson now has 151 career points and is just five goals away from scoring 100 for her career.
