TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team opened its Southeastern Conference schedule Friday on the road with a 2-0 loss at Alabama.
“It’s never easy to open league play on the road,” VU Head Coach Derek Greene said. “The team came out and played well from the opening whistle. We played hard and put a lot of pressure on Alabama.”
The run of play was fairly even in the first 45 minutes, with the Tide breaking through for the game’s first goal in the 32nd minute when Molly Atherton scored off a corner kick.
“Give our kids credit: they came out in the second half and were able to pin Alabama in their own end,” Greene said. “We had plenty of good looks to win it, but [the Crimson Tide] finished their chances and we didn’t.”
Alabama got its second goal in the 73rd minute against the run of play. Kendall Khanna made it to the end line and drew out VU’s keeper before finding Pia Rijsdijk in front of the net for the score.
Overall, Vanderbilt outshot Alabama, 17-15, and put 10 shots on net compared to only six for the Tide. UA goalkeeper Justine Bernier, who was on the bench for the Canadian National Team earlier this week, made 10 saves for the Crimson Tide to register the shutout. Junior Jessica Amlaw had four saves for the Commodores in her second collegiate start.
Senior Candace West led the Commodores with six shots, putting three of those on frame. Junior Dana Schwartz and freshman Ashley Oswald each had two shots.
“Playing well and losing is not our goal,” Greene said. “We have to put this game behind us. We have a huge opportunity on Sunday at Auburn to get a quality win against a very good opponent.”
The Commodores traveled to across Alabama following Friday night’s game and will face the Auburn Tigers on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 2:30 p.m. CT.
