No. 11 Vanderbilt was off to a scorching start this season after picking up three straight wins – and shutouts – through its first three games. They cooled off a bit on Sunday, however, failing to overcome the lone goal of the match on the road against No. 24 Memphis.
Despite the loss, the Commodores have still amassed an impressive 15 total goals through their four matches while allowing just one. They will look to improve their +14-scoring margin when they host Yale for the team’s Senior Night on Aug. 29.
“Watts” up, doc?
Sydney Watts has, unsurprisingly, been the star player for head coach Darren Ambrose so far this season. Watts has found the back of the net three times and assisted on one occasion through just 286 minutes of action. Last year, she scored nine goals in 21 games played, and through four games this year, she is already a third of the way to that tally. Better yet, she’s already matched her assist total from the 2024 season.
The junior forward from Lenexa, Kansas, was named to the 2025 SEC Preseason Watchlist earlier this month. As just a sophomore, she was tied for the team high in scoring alongside former Commodore Caroline Betts. If the Black and Gold find themselves in need of a goal in the back half of their upcoming match against Yale, they will certainly know who to turn to.
Hands of steel
It goes without saying that Sara Wojdelko is the anchor of this team. While the sample size has been small, Wojdelko is putting up a career-best in average goals allowed with 0.287 goals per 90 minutes of game time. She’s been the primary factor for Vanderbilt holding three of its four opponents to shutouts this season. The graduate goalkeeper is also posting a career-high 0.833% save percentage, with her season-high of three coming against Louisville just over a week ago.
On the other side, Kyla Holmes, a junior goalkeeper for the Bulldogs, has been just as much of a force in net. She has yet to allow a goal through Yale’s two games in the 2025 season and has racked up 11 saves across shutout victories against Vermont and Hofstra. This match will be a test for both Holmes and Wojdelko to see who can withstand the opposition’s attack and potentially add another shutout win to their resume this season.
Firepower up front
A team that scores 15 goals in three games isn’t just lucky. Vanderbilt’s forwards and midfield unit form a dominant attacking presence, led by none other than the aforementioned Watts. It hasn’t been a one-woman job, though, as freshman Olivia Stafford has also scored three and assisted one through the team’s first four matches. Seniors Vivian Akyirem and Maci Teater have made their presence known, each adding a score of their own to the mix.
A similar story exists for Yale, with five goals in two games all coming from different scorers. Sophomore stars Vienna Lundstedt and Reagan Exley both accounted for three points on the season with a goal and an assist.
Vanderbilt will honor its seniors as it welcomes Yale on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. CDT. The game will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
