Soccer claims double OT win over Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Tennessee in a double overtime thriller, 3-2. In hostile territory, goals by Brooke Colangelo, Grace Jackson and Kaylann Boyd cemented the Dores’ 100th SEC win in school history and third overtime victory of the season.

Vanderbilt’s game-winning goal came in the 102nd minute thanks to Boyd and claimed Vandy’s 290th all-time win. The victory extended the Commodores SEC winning streak to four games, improving to 8-4-0 overall and 4-1-0 in league competition.

Vandy took two first half goals within the first 20 minutes of play for the decisive upper hand. Scrambling in front of the Tennessee goal box, Nia Dorsey laid off a pass to Boyd, who then found sophomore Brook Colanelgo in the goal box. The Fayetteville, Ga. native fired the ball into the right corner of the UT net for her first career goal.

The Commodores extended the lead in the 18th minute off a little help by Tennessee goalkeeper Shae Yanez as the Vol keeper knocked down a beautiful cross by Lydia Simmons to the feet of Grace Jackson. Jackson earned her fifth goal of the year placing the ball perfectly in between Yanez and the post.

Tennessee ended Vandy’s shutout streak in the 24th minute of play to make the score, 2-1. Over three games, the Commodores held opponents off the board for a total of 305 minutes.

The Vols nearly knotted the match minutes later, however, SEC Defensive Player of the Week Cristina De Zeeuw came through with a team save. In front of goal, the junior Commodore stuck out her right foot just in time to reject the UT shot off a ricochet.

The Volunteers knotted the competition in the 79th minute for the late equalizer off a set piece. Hannah Wilkinson found Rykie O’Keefe’s serve in the goal box and snuck the ball between Kaitlyn Fahrner and the VU left post.

Coming out of the locker room for the second half, the Vols immediately intensified pressure on the Commodore backline. Knocking on the door, the Vanderbilt defense continued to block and clear Tennessee attempts to force an overtime battle.

Once into OT, Sydney O’Donnell generated the Dores’ first shot since the first half in the first 34 seconds of play. Three minutes later and the Novi, Mich. native had another opportunity for the black and gold, which sailed just wide. As the clock expired, the `Dores looked to carry momentum into the second OT period.

That opportunity came in the 102nd minute as Tina De Zeeuw laid off the perfect serve up field to Boyd. The freshman took one touch to sail the ball over Yanez placing the ball straight in the back of the net for the Vanderbilt victory.

VU now leads the series over Tennessee 11-9-4.

Vanderbilt remains on the road for its next competition traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas next weekend to take on the Razorbacks. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT on Oct. 6th.