Last November, the Commodores’ season ended following their loss to Louisiana State in the Southeastern Conference tournament, shutting them out of the NCAA Tournament yet again.
“It was hard getting there and losing to LSU,” said Senior Defender Megan Eddings. “I believe our team's foundation is built around hard work and while the loss was extremely upsetting, we have come back more focused than ever before.”
In 2010, Vanderbilt seeks to conclude its season on its own terms.
“We are all on the same page with our season goals,” Eddings said. “We know what we want and come to practice and work hard to get it. I think that while a loss, especially in the SEC tournament, is devastating, we are now better and stronger because of it.”
The Commodores will certainly have youth on their side, as they return all but one starter from a squad that finished last season with a record of 11-8-1. Coach Ronnie Woodard’s 2010 unit features fifteen freshmen and sophomores.
Molly and Megan Kinsella, both of whom enter the final year of their decorated careers, will figure prominently. The sisters will need to provide offensive firepower and set an example for the underclassmen.
“We need them on our field this season for us to win, not only because of their leadership on the field, but also for their leadership off the field,” Woodard said.
Molly Kinsella will spearhead the offensive attack, as the preseason all-SEC nominee has garnered conference honors in each of the last three seasons. The Memphis native has led the Commodores in scoring every year on campus.
For the sisters to find success, they will look the remainder of the squad for support.
Anchoring the backline, seniors Eddings, Katherine Dean and Kristine Chaklos and sophomore Amanda Essay will join forces on a defense that complied seven shutouts in 2009.
Moreover, goalie Rachel Bachtel, who has started every contest of her Vanderbilt career, aims to finish as one of the most prolific stoppers in Commodore history. With 16 shutouts, the Ohio native currently ranks third in career solo shutouts.
Yet, the squad will not necessarily be dominated by upperclassmen — there are six incoming freshmen adding to the mix. For the Commodores to consistently perform well in the SEC, the freshmen will have to adjust quickly to the pace of SEC soccer.
With one win under its belt, the squad opens a three-game home stand against Minnesota on Friday at 7 p.m. CST.
"Minnesota … is a fantastic team; they just went nose-to-nose with Notre Dame, which is one of the top teams in the country,” Woodard said. “They are going to be an amazing opponent for us.”
After Friday night’s contest, Tennessee Tech and Southern Miss will pay a visit to the Commodores in the next week.
