NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt soccer team suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of No. 23 Pepperdine on Sunday afternoon at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.
Vanderbilt (2-3-1) fell behind early and was never able to recover as Pepperdine (5-1-0) scored twice in both halves for the win.
“It was a very disappointing result for us today but there were too many instances where we made individual mistakes that hurt us against a very good Pepperdine team,” Vanderbilt head coach Darren Ambrose said. “Our competitive maturity is lacking in key moments and areas in the game, and we need to be better in those moments. We had our share of chances but didn’t convert them when the opportunities were created. The response from the group this week is very important as we get ready for SEC play.”
Pepperdine sprinted out of the gate with a goal in the second minute when Tori Waldeck’s through ball put Joelle Anderson all alone in front of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Maddie Elwell’s blast from 23 yards out in the 15th minute was saved by the Pepperdine goalkeeper – keeping the Commodores off the scoreboard.
The Waves made it 2-0 on a Kelsey Hill header off a Trinity Watson corner in the 35th minute.
Vanderbilt produced another golden opportunity with two minutes to go before the half. Rachel Deresky slotted a ball across the front of the goal and a sliding Sophia Gorski came within inches of knocking it home.
It really doesn't get much closer than this. We are fighting. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/AKvGm593gn
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) September 5, 2021
Pepperdine held a 7-3 edge in shots through 45 minutes.
The Waves jumped on the Commodores early in the second half with goals from Waldeck in the 47th and 50th minutes to put distance between the two sides.
Alex Wagner was fouled in the box leading to a penalty kick converted by Ella Shamburger in the 85th minute to put the score at 4-1. For the All-SEC senior defender, it was her first career collegiate goal.
Ella Shamburger gets us on the board with a PK. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/6MsEKncYm1
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) September 5, 2021
Pepperdine had a 16-9 advantage on shots for the day.
In goal, Kate Devine made five saves in 83 minutes before Sophie Guilmette made one in the closing seven minutes.
Next on the schedule is a short trip across the city to take on Lipscomb at 6 p.m. Thursday.
