NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore forward Cheyna Williams picked up her second hat-trick of the season, while adding one assist, helping the Vanderbilt soccer team pick up its first conference win over Mississippi State, 5-3, Sunday afternoon from the VU Soccer Complex.
Williams now has 15 goals and five assists on the season, giving her 35 total points. Her 15 goals tie her for fourth-most goals in a season by a Commodore and her 35 points on the season tie her for fifth. Laura Koerner holds both the season goals and points records by a Vanderbilt player when she finished with 19 goals and 46 points during the 1998 season.
Vanderbilt (4-9-3, 1-6-1 SEC) has now scored four or more goals in five games this season, after only doing it twice in 2012. With the win the Commodores have also snapped their 13-game conference winless streak, and three-game losing streak.
After trailing 2-0, early in the game Williams would give the Commodores their first bit of life, scoring on an assist from Simone Charley to cut the State lead to one.
The Bulldogs would score again to go up 3-1 but Williams was able to answer once again. Off a free kick from Ashley Oswald, the Hampton, Ga., native give touch from six yards out to sneak the ball past the keeper, bringing the ‘Dores within one, going into the half.
Vanderbilt was able to take over the game in the second half of play, allowing only three shots in the 45 minutes. Williams, Oswald and Andie Lakin would all score in the second half to seal the win for the Commodores.
Just three games remaining on the 2013 regular season slate. The ‘Dores will now look ahead to South Carolina and Auburn on the road, before coming back to Nashville for the regular season finale with rival Tennessee.
