EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Vanderbilt soccer opened its season at Evansville on Thursday where it defeated the Purple Aces 3-0 at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
With the victory, the Commodores improve to 7-0 against the Aces all-time.
The Commodores maintained control of the ball for a majority of the contest, allowing just one shot on goal and boosting goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko to a shutout in her first career appearance. The sophomore registered one save.
Two individuals held the team-high in points as Caroline Betts and Raegan Kelley each tallied a goal and an assist in the matchup. In her first collegiate game, Betts picked up three points, two shots and 44 minutes on the pitch to help lift her team to victory.
Goals
- Rachel Deresky scored the first goal of the year for the Commodores in the 31st minute to give Vanderbilt a 1-0 lead. Picking up a turnaround pass from Kelley, Deresky beat found the lower left corner for her second collegiate goal. With the opening goal, Deresky picked up her first career game-winner.
- Making her collegiate debut Thursday, Nashville native Betts scored her first collegiate goal. A pass from Kelley at the top of the box found Betts on the outside where she dribbled it in and fired a shot at bottom left.
- Kelley continued her offensive presence with a header goal in the 63rd. After picking up the foul in the midfield, the Commodores were awarded a free kick. Ella Shamburger’s kick sailed into the box where Betts headed a pass over to Kelley who sent her shot into the back of the net.
Key Stats
- Wojdelko made her collegiate debut and first career start in Vanderbilt’s season opener, picking up all 90 minutes in goal and a save in the shutout performance.
- The Commodores dominated control in the attacking third through the early part of the game, outshooting the Aces 8-0 in the first 20 minutes of play.
- Alex Kerr fired the best look on night thus far in the 11th minute when her shot was saved by the Evansville goalkeeper in the center of the net.
- At the half, Vanderbilt had outshot the home team 15-0, including three shots on goal.
- Kelley led the team in shots in the opening half, boasting three total shots as well as an assist on the Deresky goal. Through full time, Kelley had added two more to her tally, including heading in a goal, to boast a team-best five shots and three on goal.
- The stout defensive effort from the Commodores allowed just one shot in 90 minutes of action. The final shot tally saw the visiting Dores outshoot their opponent 27-1.
Up Next
- The Commodores conclude their Indiana tour at noon CT Sunday at Purdue. That game will be available for streaming on BTN+.
- Vandy returns to Music City to host a pair of nonconference foes in Western Kentucky (Aug. 25) and Providence (Aug. 28), respectively.
