CINCINNATI, Ohio – Trailing by five at halftime, the Vanderbilt lacrosse team used a strong second half to pick up a 16-14 win at Cincinnati on Sunday to complete a sweep of the Bearcats in the opening weekend of American Athletic Conference play.
Ten different players scored for Vanderbilt (7-2, 2-0 AAC), which has now won five games in a row. Senior Griffin Gearhardt fueled the offense with three goals and an assist with Gabby Fornia, Callie Sundin, Maddie Souza and Bri Gross all chipping in with two goals apiece.
Vanderbilt showed its depth, receiving contributions on the offensive end in the form of one goal apiece from Kate Murphy, Lila Huddles and Ella Smith.
“I think that was everybody’s favorite part,” Vanderbilt head coach Beth Hewitt said. “We knew we needed to get some production from somewhere, and we know there’s a lot of people who can do it. We really believe that. I think some of the minutes they received early in the season really helped them in the bigger moment here where we’re down or we’re tied and they just felt confident to go in there, step up and make the play.”
Lila Huddles. Behind the back.
Are you serious??
❗️@espn #SCTop10 | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/qqHBu8ZlzB
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) March 21, 2021
The Commodores held a 2-1 advantage five minutes into the game before the momentum swung to Cincinnati. The Bearcats accounted for eight of the next 10 goals before the half to take a 9-4 edge at the break.
The halftime adjustments worked as the Vanderbilt offense exploded for the first eight goals of the second half to give the lead back to the Commodores at 12-9 with 15 minutes left. Gross and Gearhardt posted two goals apiece as part of the 8-0 run.
Are you kidding?
Kate Murphy 🔥
⚓ 7
🔴 92nd » 23:51#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/fDpFpTNsLu
— Vanderbilt Lacrosse (@VandyLacrosse) March 21, 2021
With the score knotted at 14-14 with five minutes to play, Sundin came away with the go-ahead goal with 4:16 to go. Paige Finneran added an insurance goal with 3:05 remaining on a free position shot.
In the final three minutes, the Vanderbilt defense forced a turnover, and Paige Gunning made the last of her six saves to keep the lead intact. Vanderbilt outscored Cincinnati by a 12-5 margin in the second half.
The Commodores finished with 18 draw controls to Cincinnati’s 14. Cassidy Orban tallied seven draw controls with Gross finishing with five.
Gunning posted six saves in just over 38 minutes between the pipes. Freshman Lexie de Roziere added four second-half saves in goal.
Vanderbilt looks to stay hot with two more AAC games at East Carolina on March 26 and 28.
