NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt soccer’s duo of Sydney Watts and Olivia Stafford were awarded SEC weekly honors Monday after leading the Commodores to a 2-0 weekend with wins coming over Auburn and at Kentucky.
Stafford, SEC Freshman of the Week, played a crucial role in Vanderbilt’s unbeaten week, contributing directly to two of the Commodores’ three goals in victories over Auburn and Kentucky. In Thursday’s 1-0 win over Auburn, the Arlington, Virginia, native set up the game-winning goal in the 13th minute. She continued her strong play in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Kentucky, where she delivered the assist on Watts’ game-winning goal in the 75th minute.
Watts, SEC Offensive Player of the Week, scored all three Commodore goals over the weekend. Against Auburn, the Lenexa, Kansas, native struck early with the match-winner in the 13th minute, finishing a feed from Olivia Stafford and Maci Teater to give Vanderbilt a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish. She followed that performance with a dominant outing at Kentucky, scoring both of Vanderbilt’s goals in a 2-1 road win. Watts opened the scoring in the 66th minute with an unassisted strike and then delivered the game-winner just eight minutes later.
Vanderbilt returns to action Friday night, hosting Missouri. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.
