NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt continued its unblemished start to the season after its 3-0 victory over Chattanooga on Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
The ninth-ranked Commodores (7-0) controlled the game from the opening whistle and never looked back.
It took less than 10 minutes for the Commodores to notch their first goal, and it was none other the SEC’s leading goal scorer who got them on the board.
Raegan Kelley won a 50/50 ball in the corner of the 18-yard box and sent it outside the box to Nia Dorsey along the right sideline. Dorsey lobbed a cross near the front of the six-yard box where Hopkins leapt higher than a Chattanooga (3-2-2) defender and sent a perfect header into the lower right-hand corner of the net.
It was the second straight game Dorsey has notched an assist and the third straight game she recorded a point. Kelley has also recorded a point in two straight games after she scored twice against Marshall last Sunday.
Hopkins helped set up Vanderbilt’s second goal of the game after she drew a penalty shot in the 52nd minute. Grace Jackson stepped up to take the penalty shot and sent a line drive right below the crossbar.
Jackson has converted each of her two career penalty kicks.
The third goal of the game came in the 59th minute, with Dorsey sending another cross into the box. Kelley and a Chattanooga defender fought for the ball in the air and after deflecting off the defender, it bounced to Hopkins.
Without hesitation, Hopkins sent a sliding shot into the lower-left hand corner of the goal for her second score.
Hopkins leads the team and SEC with nine goals, and it was also the seventh multi-goal game in her short Vanderbilt career.
The Commodore defense was back to its stiffening self, only allowing two shots on goal. The Dores posted their sixth shutout and have only allowed two goals on the season.
After tonight’s victory, the Commodores remained unbeaten in 18 straight games at home dating to 2017.
The Commodores hit the road this weekend and face Louisville on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
