SEC Shutout

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt soccer earned its first SEC win on the year with a 2-0 victory over Ole Miss Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.

Senior Abi Brighton and junior Rachel Deresky scored for the Commodores. Senior keeper Kate Devine registered her fourth solo shutout on the season.

The Commodores dominated possession and outshot the Rebels 8-0 in the first half, but the game remained scoreless at the break.

Vanderbilt continued to dominate possession in the second half, finishing with 57 percent possession for the game. The Dores outshot the Rebels 9-4 in the final frame. Brighton found the back of the net for the first time this season in the 52nd minute from the 18-yard box.

“She is a warrior,’ said head coach Darren Ambrose of Brighton. “She is the heart and soul of our team, there is no doubt about that. There is not a game where she doesn’t give every single ounce of her being every single time. Tonight, we noticed it because she scored a goal, but she is just the heart and soul of this team every day. She is fearless and she embodies courage, everything we talk about and strive to be on this team.”

Then, in the 68^th, senior Tina Bruni created traffic on the right side of the goal and served cross-field to Deresky who tapped it in for the Dores’ second score of the night. The goal marked Deresky’s fourth of the season (11th career), to tie for most goals this season (Courtney Jones, four).

The Commodores have outscored their opponent 12-2 in the second half so far this season.

Vanderbilt earned a season-high 10 corner kicks and held Ole Miss to just two.

UP NEXT

Vanderbilt hits the road for the next two matches, starting on Sunday at No. 9 Alabama. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and will air on SECN+.