Oct. 31, 2009
NASHVILLE, TN – In a constant driving rain, the UK women’s soccer team (5-10-4, 2-8-1 SEC) wrapped up its season with a 2-0 loss at Vanderbilt (11-7-1, 5-6-0).
After an evenly played first half, the Commodores netted two second half goals for the victory to solidify a trip to the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach.
“I thought we played extremely well,” said UK head coach Jon Lipsitz. “We created more dangerous opportunities in the play in this game than any other SEC game. We had done well on some set pieces at times, but this game we created many more opportunities in the flow of the game. There was a five-minute period in the second half where we hit the crossbar, their goal keeper had a tremendous save and then they had a back save on a corner kick that we headed and it was going in. That was in a five minute period and at 0-0 at the time, you’re feeling like you’re on them and you’re going to find one, but in the end the game comes down to finishing and Vandy was able to find an opportunity and have a great finish before we were.
“Big congratulations to Vandy, their staff and their team. They’re extremely well coached and well organized and a deserving participant in the SEC Tournament and we wish them well.”
UK had the best opportunity for either team in the first half when the Wildcats lobbed a ball into the box where Laura Novikoff rose above the Vanderbilt defense and got a solid head on the ball. However, Vandy goalie Rachel Bachtel went high in the air to knock the ball over the cross bar to deny Novikoff and the Wildcats.
UK came out in the second half pressuring the Commodores in the 56th minute. Giuleana Lopez split the Vandy defense, carrying the ball to the far corner of the box where she centered to Kirsten Robinson. Robinson fired a shot on goal, but Novikoff who was shielding Bachtel, was called offside.
A minute later, Robinson was streaking down the sideline with the ball and fired a shot that was out of reach of Bachtel, but it skidded off the crossbar and ricocheted out of danger.
The Commodores took a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute. Candace West broke free and fired a shot that UK goalie Laura Burton made a great save on, but the ball deflected back to West who put it inside the left post for the 1-0 Vandy lead.
Vanderbilt put the game away with 10 seconds remaining when Margaux Andrews took a centering pass from Megan Kinsella at the top of the 18-yard box, turned and fired a shot past a diving Burton for the final 2-0 margin.
Novikoff paced the UK offense with two shots, both on goal. Burton finished the night with six saves.
After winning three in a row and eight of nine to Vandy, the Wildcats fall to 11-12-0 all-time against the Commodores.
