Oct. 31, 2008
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team (5-12-2, 3-7-1 SEC) ended their season on a high, sending their seniors off in style with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over Vanderbilt (5-10-2, 3-6-0).
After playing through over 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, and seeing opportunity after opportunity go by the wayside, the Wildcats finally converted in the 101st minute. Senior Nicola Holdsworth hit a streaking Jenna Goblirsch on the left side who dribbled into the Vanderbilt box and ripped off a shot from 15 yards out that barely deflected off a Commodore defender and into the net. It was the freshman’s first collegiate golden goal and her second score of the season.
“We should make every night Senior night,” said UK head coach Warren Lipka. “The emotion that we played with on this field was unbelievable. I think a young team grew up tonight. We’ve had a tough year but, we stuck with it; they deserved this win and they got.
“The seniors, they’ve done it all year; they’ve played every minute, every game. I told them they’ve got to set the bar for these younger players. I think we all finally came together. It was a little too late for the tournament, but I think we grew a lot this last week.”
The Wildcats had the game’s first legitimate scoring opportunity in the 33rd minute. Goblirsch dribbled the ball down to the Vandy end line and centered it to a streaking Emily Rogers who misplayed the ball just over the top of the Vanderbilt goal.
Kentucky had another golden opportunity with 6:30 left in the first half when Holdsworth fired a shot from 25 yards out that banged off the crossbar and was cleared away by the Vandy defense.
The Wildcats had one final chance in regulation to avoid overtime. This time Giuleana Lopez fired a shot from 25 yards out that found its way straight in the arms of Commodore goalie Rachel Bachtel as time expired.
Kentucky attempted to end it seven seconds into the first overtime when Rogers had another chip in front of the Vandy goal, but again the shot sailed just wide.
UK freshman Laura Burton recorded her first collegiate shutout, and did so while holding the Commodores scoreless for just over 101 minutes. Rogers finished with a season high five shots while Lopez paced the team with six.
Kentucky evened the all-time record against Vanderbilt 11-11-0 and has won eight of the last nine against the Commodores. UK has allowed only two goals to Vandy in their last seven meetings.
In addition, senior defender Tara Herold started her 84th straight game and ended her career ranked third on UK’s all-time starts list with 84.
