ATHENS, Ga. – The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team couldn’t overcome two first-half goals as they lost to Georgia, 2-0 at the Georgia Soccer Complex Friday. With the loss the Commodores fall to 7-5-1 overall and 1-4 in conference play, while Georgia improves to 4-8-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the SEC. Vanderbilt now leads the all-time series 9-7 over the Bulldogs, with Georgia winning the last two meetings.
“I don’t think our team stepped up to the challenge of what Georgia put in front of us tonight,” head coach Ronnie Coveleskie said. “I am very disappointed in our overall effort as a team and am extremely disappointed with the lack of preparation that we committed to this game, and it showed in the way we played tonight.”
The Bulldogs took the early 1-0 lead at the 30:15 mark as Ashley Miller fired a shot in the upper left corner of the net past a diving Rachel Bachtel from 20 yards out.
Georgia added to its one-goal lead as Natalie Farley fired a strike from over 30 yards to the top-back of the net. Georgia’s Treci Dessen and Olivia West were credited with the assists.
The Commodore offense was unable to get things going all night as the Bulldogs’ defense limited the `Dores offensive attack to a season-low one corner kick. Georgia controlled the tempo of the first half as they had five corner kicks in the first 40 minutes.
The `Dores entered the night with 285-127 shot advantage over their opponents but were outshot 19-7 Friday. Molly Kinsella led the Commodore offense with three shots, including two on goal.
Sophomore Rachel Bachtel recorded a career high 10 saves, including a pivotal stop on a Georgia penalty kick midway through the first half. Bachtel’s previous high of nine saves came in last year’s 1-0 shutout win over Texas Tech.
The Commodores will remain on their four-game road swing as they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday to get ready for Sunday’s game against the Lady Volunteers. Sunday’s game will start at 2 p.m. EDT. Tennessee (6-7 overall, 3-2 SEC) is coming off a 3-2 home victory over Kentucky Friday.
Live audio and live stats will be available on VUcommodores.com during Sunday’s game.
