Vanderbilt (7-4-1, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) finishes the back half of a four-game homestand this weekend when Arkansas visits Friday at 7 p.m. and LSU plays Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Commodores split the first half last weekend, beating Tennessee in overtime, 1-0, on a sudden death goal by junior forward Molly Kinsella to snap a two-game losing streak.
It was Kinsella’s fifth goal of the season, to go along with her eight assists to lead all Vanderbilt players with 18 total points.
They were shut out by 22nd-ranked Georgia on Sunday however, 3-0.
The opponents this weekend represent the best and worst of the SEC West, as the Razorbacks (6-3-3, 0-3-1) have yet to scratch out a conference victory and sit in last place, while the Tigers (8-2-2, 4-0) are undefeated in SEC play.
The Commodores are 0-2-1 in their last three games against LSU, while they knocked off Arkansas two years ago when the Razorbacks last came to Nashville.
Finishing chances: Vanderbilt’s struggle so far through four games in the SEC has been not making good on scoring opportunities, only notching three goals in conference play.
“Confidence is bred through scoring goals and scoring goals breeds confidence, so when you miss a sitter in front of the net like we have consistently, their shoulders drop a bit and they find themselves chasing, because the other team gets a new life,” said Vanderbilt coach Ronnie Woodard.
The Georgia game in particular was an example of that, as the Commodores had numerous opportunities in the first half to jump out ahead but were unable to do so. Once they fell behind the Bulldogs in the second half, Vanderbilt had to change its approach and it became one long chase.
“The bottom line is if we don’t start finishing our chances, the next seven games are going to be very long for us,” Woodard said.
Sunday marked the first time all season the Commodores were held without a goal.
Game-winners: Kinsella’s heroics against Tennessee marked her second game-winning goal of the season, putting her in a tie with freshman midfielder Chelsea Stewart in that category.
It’s hard to win in overtime,” Kinsella said. “Everyone’s tired, everything is getting pretty slow. It’s always good to get an overtime win."
The 1,657 fans on hand to see the win on Oct. 2 were the most of the season at the VU Soccer Complex.
