AUBURN, Ala. – Despite holding a 25-9 shot advantage, Vanderbilt failed to convert on numerous scoring opportunities in a 3-1 loss to Texas Tech Friday afternoon in the first game of the Auburn Soccer Classic at the AU Soccer Complex.
The Commodores, ranked No. 25 by Soccer America this week, dropped their first decision of the year to fall to 5-1, while the Red Raiders improved to 4-2 overall.
“We didn’t play our game today and it showed in the result,” said Vanderbilt head coach Ronnie Woodard. “Even though we may have had the statistical advantage, we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities while Texas Tech did. They deserve a lot of credit for the win, and yet at the same time I know we can play much better than we did today.”
The game was tied at 1-1 at halftime before Tech scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match. Brittney Harrison scored the go ahead goal at the 79:10 mark off an assist from Zhaleh Rezaie. She was able to gain a step on the defense and scored when keeper Jessica Amlaw stepped up in the box to try and make a play.
Conner Williams then sealed the game with 1:27 left, taking an assist from Taylor Little and knocking the ball in from 15 yards out and into the lower right corner of the net to make it 3-1.
The Red Raiders got on the scoreboard first at the 33:13 mark when Sarah Ellison unloaded a shot from 35 yards out that sailed over goalkeeper Rachel Bachtel’s arms and into the upper left corner of the net.
The Commodores stormed right back to tie the game three minutes later when freshman Dana Schwartz took passes from Molly Kinsella and Megan Forester and scored from seven yards out into the near side of the goal.
VU held a 10-5 shot advantage in the first half and narrowly missed goals from Molly Kinsella and Margaux Andrews.
Tech goalkeeper Erin Wikelius made eight saves, holding the Commodore attack at bay several times throughout the match.
Schwartz had a shot to give VU a 2-1 lead at the 70:35, but Wikelius was able to make a diving stab at it with her feet to deflect it away.
Bachtel started in net and gave up a goal in 36 minutes of work, while Amlaw came on in relief and closed out the final 53:49 of the game. The freshman allowed two goals while making two saves.
Nicole Lukens, Molly Kinsella and Dana Schwartz led VU with four shots each, while Brittney Harrison, Taylor Lytle and Dawn Ward led TTU with two shots each.
Vanderbilt will close out its tournament slate against Missouri on Sunday at 9 a.m. MU faced host Auburn on Friday night.
“We need to come back out on Sunday and play our game with more intensity and fight than we did today,” said Woodard. “Missouri is another tough team and will definitely be a challenge for us.”
