After giving up a goal for the first time in over two weeks, the Vanderbilt Commodores struck back quickly and pulled away in the second half to defeat Oklahoma 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Vanderbilt Soccer Stadium.
Molly Kinsella, Chelsea Stewart and Nicole Lukens all scored for the Commodores, who are 5-0 this season heading into their first away games next weekend at the Auburn Soccer Classic in Auburn, Ala. Keeper Rachel Bachtel and the Vanderbilt back line recovered to control the pace for the remainder of the game after Oklahoma forward Whitney Palmer put the Sooners ahead in the 12th minute.
After the Commodores were called for a hand ball in the penalty area, Palmer’s initial penalty kick was met by a diving save from Bachtel. Palmer stayed with her shot, however, using her speed to beat the Vanderbilt defense to the rebound and slipping the ball across and into the right corner of the net to put Oklahoma (4-1-1) ahead.
“We should’ve been following the PK, so Rach (Bachtel) kind of got on us, and then Coley (Nicole Lukens), one of our captains, got us all together and said this is ridiculous, we’re not ready to lose yet, let’s get back at it, and we got the kickoff and went flying at them,” said Molly Kinsella, who delivered the equalizer from just inside the penalty area just three minutes later off of a long cross from Elizabeth Lillie.
The Commodores took the field for the second half determined to prove their fragmented first half play was an aberration, and freshman Chelsea Stewart’s goal in the 53rd minute reestablished the technical, high-pressure style which the team has relied upon during its perfect start to the 2009 season. Stewart controlled a corner from Molly Kinsella at the top of the penalty area and beat the keeper to the top right corner after her initial shot deflected off a defender and straight back to her.
Lukens added the final goal to give Vanderbilt control just six minutes later when she found herself alone in the penalty area with the keeper after crisp passing from CJ Rhoades and Molly Kinsella. With Kinsella drawing the defender, Lukens brought the keeper forward and slid the ball off the right post and in for her third goal of the season.
The Commodores’ offense took pressure off of a defense that had its hands full all game in containing the speedy Palmer, whose goal was her sixth in as many games for the Sooners.
After facing Texas Tech and Missouri next weekend in Auburn, the Commodores return home to play Tennessee-Martin on Sept. 18.
