NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 9 Vanderbilt scored a pair of second-half goals six minutes apart to defeat the Colgate women's soccer team 2-0 on Friday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.
The game was scoreless after 45 minutes thanks to three saves from
Kelly Chiavaro. The senior keeper finished with three saves in the half with heavy pressure from the Commodore offense.
Sage DiGiulio took the Raiders lone shot in the first half but it sailed wide of the right post.
Colgate (0-4-1) generated an early chance in the second half with possession.
Mara Cosentino found an open look and struck a low shot on net but it found the hands of Vanderbilt keeper Taiana Tolleson and the Commodores were able to clear.
Chiavaro and the Raider back line continued to shine and carried a goose egg late into the second half. But Vanderbilt broke through in the 72nd minute on a goal from Haley Hopkins to take a 1-0 lead. Hopkins caught a pass at the top of the 18-yard box, dribbled right, and drove a low shot past Chiavaro for the go-ahead marker.
The Commodores (5-0) doubled their lead in the 78th minute. Olivia Simmons spun a throw-in toward the center of the box, where Nia Dorsey connected on a one-timer header inside the left post.
The Raiders were held without a shot over the final 12 minutes, and Vanderbilt secured possession to claim the victory.
BOTTOM LINE
No. 9 Vanderbilt 2, Colgate 0
QUOTES
Head Coach Kathy Brawn
On the game:
"I am so proud of the phenomenal team effort out here tonight. Against one of the top teams in the country, our players battled hard and played as a team for 90 minutes.
"Kelly denied Vanderbilt several opportunities, and Leah, Sydney, and Ruby showed skill and determination at the highest level. While it certainly was not the result we worked for, we took another step in the right direction."
NOTABLES
- This is the second straight year the Raiders have squared off against a top 10 opponent, with last year's season opener at No. 8 Virginia.
- Colgate in 2016 stunned SEC foe LSU 2-1 behind a 74th-minute goal from Abby Sotomayor.
- Chiavaro's eight saves were her most in any game this season and matched her season high from last year against Virginia and La Salle.
- Cosentino and DiGiulio tallied the two shots for the Raiders.
- Vanderbilt has yet to concede a goal in five regular season matches and has won 16 straight at home.
UP NEXT
Colgate wraps up the Music City Invitational on Sunday with a noon (CT) kickoff against Lipscomb at Vanderbilt.
