Sept. 21, 2013
Box Score | Steve Green Gallery 
NASHVILLE, Tenn.. – Despite 12 saves for keeper Olivia Liebman, the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team fell in its conference opener to LSU, 2-1 in overtime, at the VU Soccer Complex.
Vanderbilt (3-4-2, 0-1-0 SEC) took 16 shots on the night, however, the Commodores were only able to put two on the net.
LSU (5-3-1, 1-0-0 SEC) got on the board first, 27 minutes into the first half. Emma Fletcher sent a good corner kick into the box, where Gracie Campbell was able to head the ball from 10 yards out to Heather Magee. Magee, from the corner of the six yard box then ripped the ball past Liebman for the goal and her first of season.
The Commodores stood pat for the remainder of the half and had their fair share of chances. In the 34th minute, Krystina Iordanou, on the free kick chance from 25 yards straight out sent the ball just high over the crossbar, a goal that would have noted the game at one going into the half.
Vanderbilt was able to come out in the second half with new life, and it payed off. Five minutes into the second half the ‘Dores got on the board when Jamie Kator sent a great ball to the back post where Simone Charley was able to rise up above the defense and head the ball over the reach of the LSU keeper.
Liebman held off an onslaught of Tiger shots in the second half, including making two game-saving saves in which she was fully extended, knocking the ball out by her finger tips.
Both teams had their chances late in regulation, but when 90 minutes were up the game we still knotted at one.
In the first overtime period, Vanderbilt made a costly foul on a ball that otherwise would have been an LSU throw. Instead, the Tigers had a free kick opportunity from about 45 yards out. The ball was sent into the box, where it bounced around off both teams, before LSU’s Fernanda Pina found the back of the net on the header over the outstretched Liebman, for the game-winner.
Conference play will continue for the Commodores next weekend as they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a matchup with the Crimson Tide on Friday, before heading west to College Station, Texas for a matchup with No. 20 Texas A&M.
