There aren’t too many certainties in soccer, or in life for that matter, but holding an opponent scoreless tends to result in victory.

And so long as Rachel Bachtel keeps on her recent stellar play as Vanderbilt’s goalkeeper, the Commodores (10-7-1, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) are going to keep being a winning team.

Bachtel, a junior, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday after recording shutouts against Mississippi State on Oct. 22 and then-No. 17 Ole Miss on Oct. 25 to give Vanderbilt a three-game winning streak in conference play, its longest in four years, heading into Friday’s regular season-finale against Kentucky.

“Rachel's done great,” said Vanderbilt coach Ronnie Woodard. “She's got a three-game win streak in goal for us with three straight shutouts. We're hoping that she extends that.”

She had six saves in the 3-0 win over the Bulldogs and another four in a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Rebels, all the more important given that the Commodores are fighting for a spot in the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. starting next week. A win or tie today against the Wildcats will ensure them a spot.

“We're really excited because our team goal all year is to get to Orange Beach and so we're one step closer,” Bachtel said.

The Commodores have been a different team since a 3-0 loss Oct. 16 at Auburn, the last time Bachtel allowed a goal. Mired at 1-6 in conference play and 7-7-1 overall after that defeat, the prospects of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2006 looked grim.

A touching up on defensive schemes that has maximized Vanderbilt’s abilities has been a big difference.

“We’ve worked out corner kicks and set pieces, and we've really organized our backline so balls can't get in behind,” Bachtel said. “I sit more in on my line because shot-stopping is one of my strengths, so we play to my strengths and play to our defenses' strengths, and it seems to be working out.”

It certainly does, as Vanderbilt has not allowed a goal in nearly 300 minutes of action since their last defeat. Redshirt freshman Kate Goldin and sophomore Emily Grant have taken on starting roles in the backfield since the winning streak began and have been difference-makers on both sides of the ball, helping to shut away opposing offensive attacks and also scoring game-winning goals.

“Everyone's really stepped up,” Bachtel said. “Kate Goldin's been playing back there for us, and she came off of a knee injury. And she's stepped in these last few games and done awesome on the right side.”

One more shutout by Bachtel and the rest of the defense and the Commodores will be one of the eight playing in Orange Beach next week.

“Friday's game is going to be a big one and we hope that defensively we can bat down the hatches and help her,” Woodard said. “When you've got something to play for it's always fun. We’re playing for an 11th win and we're playing for an outright bid to the SEC tournament. So we know all the implications.”