WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Vanderbilt soccer team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 1-0 victory at Purdue on Sunday.
A defensive battle throughout, Rachel Deresky’s goal in the 78th minute ultimately lifted the Commodores over the Boilermakers.
The two teams squared off in an evenly-contested first half at Folk Field with Vanderbilt outshooting its opponent 7-5 through the first 45 minutes. After giving up the first two shots of the game, the Commodores maintained pressure in the attacking third t record seven-consecutive shots.
Alex Kerr had back-to-back close calls from the left side but was unable to capitalize and the two teams played to a 0-0 score at the half.
The second half saw a lot more back-and-forth action with both sides trading shots early in the second half. The Commodores nearly broke the tie partway through the second half when Deresky’s shot ricocheted off the Purdue goalkeeper where Amber Nguyen found an open net in front of her. A Boilermaker defender blocked the rebound attempt and the two sides played on, tied 0-0.
😱😱😱#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/743ulICywn
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) August 21, 2022
Deresky’s second goal of the year, and third of her career, came in the 78th minute and gave Vanderbilt their second win of the year. She picked up a pass from Raegan Kelley out front and beat the diving goalkeeper on the right.
What a beauty 🤩#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/k1kqr69DRZ
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) August 21, 2022
The defensive effort doubled down on the Boilermakers in the final 12 minutes but a yellow card in the box awarded Purdue a penalty kick opportunity with six minutes to play. Kate Devine read the play and made a quick save to keep the Boilermakers off the board.
84′ | What. A. SAVE.
Kate Devine keeps it a one-goal game with this improbable PK save!#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/PLWyeggOIL
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) August 21, 2022
With the win, Devine now holds five career shutouts and tied her career-high saves with four.
Goals
- Deresky broke the stalemate in the 78th minute with a shot from out front. The game-winning goal was Deresky’s second of the season, having scored the go-ahead goal in the team’s season opener at Evansville.
Key Stats
- Abi Brighton’s three shots from the midfield led the Commodores in the opening half at Purdue. Her third shot late in the half sailed just over the goal as Vanderbilt looked to break…