April 20, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team closed out its spring schedule this past weekend, going 1-1 with a win over the Memphis Tigers while falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
“I was very pleased with our performance in the Memphis game,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. ” I thought we possessed the ball as well as we could have. We created a few chances and took advantage of them and overall our team defending generally was solid.”
Vandy’s third game of the spring resulted in a strong 3-0 shutout over the Tigers Friday afternoon. VU kicked off the contest with a goal by Kelsey Carrier, as the freshman midfielder earned her second goal of the spring off a cross from redshirt-sophomore Carley Bogan.
The Vanderbilt offense went up 2-0 as Danae O’Halloran ‘s shot hit the cross bar only to be followed by Jamie Kator who headed the ricochet into the back of the Tiger net.
Junior Kelsey Tillman quickly passed the ball past the Tigers’ backline and into the 18-yard box with Danielle Snajder there to capitalize on the opportunity, sealing the 3-0 Vanderbilt victory.
The `Dores suffered their first loss in their final spring game, which came on the road against SEC foe Alabama, 1-0. VU closes out the season 2-1-2.
“We just didn’t play up to the expectations we have in our program. Our defending was ok again, but when you don’t possess the ball you end up defending for too long and that was our downfall. When you chase as we did in that heat it wears you down and Alabama took advantage of our mistakes and were very good in possession. ”
“It’s been a long spring given the small size of our squad (12) and I think it just took its toll in the last few days emotionally and physically. It was a little disappointing for us to end with a performance that wasn’t what we are capable of, but it doesn’t take away from the overall effort and progress that we have shown since we began in January. I give the girls a lot of credit for the effort they have put in in the weight room, the classroom and on the field. I think we are in a better place tactically and organizationally than we were a year ago which is very positive “
