NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Vanderbilt suffered its second loss of the season Wednesday, 18-6, against No. 12 Notre Dame at the Loftus Sports Center.
It was a back-and-forth game early in the first half before Notre Dame was able to pull away. The Commodores (7-2) were able to answer the Fighting Irish goal-for-goal until it was tied up at 3-3. Notre Dame (9-0) managed to outscore Vanderbilt, 15-3, for the rest of the way.
Gabby Fornia and Emily Mathewson led the offensive attack for the Dores with Fornia having two assists for her sixth multi-assist game of the year. Mathewson finished the game with two goals for her sixth multi-goal game this season, coming in six of the last seven games.
Freshman Maddie Souza delivered her second career multi-goal performance with two goals. Melanie Becker and Cassidy Orban were the only other Commodores to score with a goal apiece.
Vanderbilt did force 11 turnovers in the game, to outperform Notre Dame’s seven caused turnovers.
The Commodores couldn’t quite control possession of the game as Notre Dame beat them in draw controls, 19-6, to control the pace of play.
Vanderbilt managed to fire off 25 shots, but Notre Dame goalkeeper, Samantha Giacolone, posted a season-high 10 saves to halt the Commodore attack.
The Commodores were two-for-three on free position shots to help improve their nationally-ranked 15th free position percentage.
The Commodores return home where they are 4-0 this season to take on Butler at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
