NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Brittney Thomas scored a goal in the 84th minute to help the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team play visiting South Carolina to draw, 1-1, Sunday at the VU Soccer Complex.
Redshirt-sophomore Alexa Levick made eight saves for the Commodores Sunday, including a key stop in the first overtime period from point-blank range. USC’s Caroline Gray hit the crossbar in the 99th minute, and the rebound fell to Coryan Bajema. Levick closed off any space to shoot and sent Bajema’s shot out of bounds.
The Commodores did not equalize the score until the 84th minute on their first shot on goal. Vanderbilt built up down the right side of the field, with freshman Kelsey Tillman passing to classmate Cheyna Williams at the corner of the 18-yard box. Williams dribbled past multiple Carolina defenders before slotting a low pass to Thomas whose one-time effort rocketed inside the far post.
South Carolina had taken the lead in just the 13th minute. Gamecock Andie Romness sent her third corner kick of the game into the six-yard box and over Levick’s head. Gabrielle Gilbert was there to head the ball into the back of the net and give South Carolina the 1-0 advantage.
The Commodores have earned seven points in six Southeastern Conference games this season, with four of those points coming from draws to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and now South Carolina. The Gamecocks remain winless in SEC play, having posted three ties and three defeats.
Vanderbilt will head back out on the road next weekend, traveling to face Arkansas (Fri., Oct. 5) and LSU (Sun., Oct. 7). The Commodores will return to Nashville for a four-game home stand the following weekend.