NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Sarah Dennis scored three goals to lead Vanderbilt to a 6-0 win over Tennessee Tech in the soccer home opener Sunday afternoon at the VU Soccer Complex.
The Commodores dominated throughout, holding a 33-8 shot advantage to improve to 2-1-1 on the year. The defense recorded its third shutout in four games and allowed only one shot on goal.
“Today was a great step in getting better,” said head coach Ronnie Coveleskie. “Every player on the roster played. We had quality minutes and I saw some really good things.”
Freshman Molly Kinsella put the Dores on the board early, scoring off a cross assist from Megan Forester. Dennis followed with her first goal of the game at the 14:45 mark off an assist from Taylour Claxton to make it 2-0.
“It’s good to finally get one under my belt,” said Kinsella. “We worked on our offense in practice and that was our goal today, to try and score as many goals as we could.”
Senior Amy Baumann scored her first goal of the season at the 21:14 mark off of assists from Molly Kinsella and Forester to give Vanderbilt a 3-0 lead at the half.
“We needed a little confidence booster today and tried to score as much as possible and remind ourselves that we can score,” said Baumann.
The Commodores continued the scoring onslaught in the second half with Dennis scoring her second and third goals of the game at the 54:27 and 57:20 mark respectively.
Megan Forester then closed out the scoring at the 66:45 mark with a rocket shot past the Tech goalkeeper from 20 yards out.
“Goal-scoring is a mentality,” said Coveleskie. “I think we have always worked hard and no matter what happened during the match I have never stepped off the field thinking that we didn’t hustle. We have focused on being more aggressive offensively this year and I think it is starting to pay off.”
The match was called at the 83:46 mark due to persistent rain and lightning in the area.
The Commodores will be back in action next weekend as they host Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s on Friday and Sunday.
