Vanderbilt Soccer (7-2-1, 1-1-1 SEC) hosted No. 24 Oklahoma (8-2-1, 1-2) in search of its SEC win after drawing with LSU 0-0 in the opener and losing to No. 10 Arkansas 2-1 in Fayetteville. The Commodores triumphed 3-0 to get back in the win column thanks to a trifecta of goals by Vivian Akyirem, senior captain Maci Teater and Sydney Watts.
The first half saw a flurry of shorts by the Commodores, none of which found the back of the net — a problem that has plagued Vanderbilt so far this season. However, the team flipped the script in the second half, converting three goals to pull away from the Sooners. Goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko’s seventh clean sheet of the season ensured that Vanderbilt’s offensive efforts did not go to waste.
“I think we’re the toughest, fittest, most prepared team in the SEC,” Teater said after the game. “We’ve lived by that day-in and day-out, and you can see it when we play.”
First half
After the Commodores kicked off, they kept the pressure on in Oklahoma’s half for the first few minutes of play but ultimately couldn’t produce a shot on net. The Sooners countered with calculated play down the wings, but Vanderbilt’s stout defense kept them from centering the ball. Vanderbilt finally broke through in the 10th minute, as Olivia Stafford had a contested chance right in front of the goal. However, Oklahoma’s physicality prevented Stafford from getting a clean strike on the ball.
Momentum swung to the Commodores’ favor after Stafford’s attempt. Right back Grace Freeman played a dangerous cross into the box in the 13th minute, but it was booted away by a defender. In the 14th minute, Teater beat a defender with a flashy dribble then ripped a shot from outside the box that flew wide of the net.
After a quiet period of back-and-forth, Wojdelko came up with a sprawling save on a point-blank shot to keep the score level. Vanderbilt brought the pressure after a short timeout in the 20th minute. Freeman dribbled dangerously into the box, and the Commodores kept the ball rattling around the Sooners’ 18-yard box but couldn’t capitalize.
Vanderbilt’s defense kept its composure after another dangerous cross into the box to set up a counterattack. Courtney Jones took Vanderbilt’s fourth shot of the game, but it again flew wide like its predecessors. The Sooners were on the brink of a breakaway at half field, but a clinical slide tackle from behind by Bollig halted the advance.
In the 35th minute, Akyirem surged for the box, weaving between defenders. A quick one-two with Victoria Pugh in the box set up the best opportunity of the game for the Commodores, but the shot sailed off-target. As the first half waned, Susanna Soderman whipped a cross into the box that found Ellett Smith. Smith’s header was saved handily by Oklahoma’s keeper, but it marked Vanderbilt’s first shot on goal of the game. In the final minute of the first half, Wojdelko thwarted a dangerous Oklahoma through ball with a diving interception to keep a clean sheet.
Second half
The Commodores got off to a hot start to the second half. Akyirem surged on the right flank early, rocketing two threatening shots on goal thanks to her ability to separate from defenders. Bollig got her head to a corner kick in the ninth minute, but it was easily grabbed by Oklahoma’s keeper. Freeman won a corner shortly after, but the Commodores failed to capitalize again, bringing their total shots without a goal up to 10.
Vanderbilt finally broke through in the 55th minute thanks to an unassisted effort by Akyirem. The senior shook off a defender before whipping in a shot that sailed over the keeper and found the back corner of the net. Teater extended Vanderbilt’s lead in the 61st minute after persistent build up play left her with an open shot near the penalty spot. Freeman set up the chance with her work on the right side, but Jones was credited with the assist after teeing up Teater.
The Commodores almost broke through again in the 65th minute, as Bollig volleyed a corner kick by Jones on target — but Oklahoma’s keeper was ultimately there to make the save. Freeman had another great chance out on the net in the 70th minute but couldn’t make solid contact with the ball. A dangerous slide tackle from behind earned Teater a yellow card in the 80th minute.
Shortly after Teater’s booking, Melania Fullerton missed a great chance on a breakaway. Watts made up for the mistake quickly, tucking away a first-time volley for Vanderbilt’s third goal. Watts broke through again in the 85th minute, but her shot sailed just wide of the top-right corner. Safe, calculated play kept the score stable through the end of the game.
The Commodores will face their next challenge against Texas on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. CDT in Austin.
