NASHVILLE — The WKU women's soccer team was held to only four shots Friday night as it dropped its first match of the 2011 season, a 2-0 defeat at Vanderbilt. The Commodores' defense held the Lady Toppers to one shot in the second half.
WKU (2-1) had the first quality chance on goal 18 minutes into the game. Mallory Outerbridge split defenders to get into the 18-yard box and let loose a shot from about 10 yards out. A Vanderbilt defender came to the ball as it was about to cross the goal line and cleared it out of play. In the 31st minute, the Lady Toppers had another quality chance when Outerbridge backheeled a corner to Torrie Lange who had her shot deflected. Amanda Buechel fired the deflection on net but it went wide.
Vanderbilt (2-0) tallied the first goal of the game in the 35th minute. After WKU committed a foul in the 18-yard box, CJ Rhoades scored on the ensuing penalty kick to put the Commodores ahead 1-0. Despite giving up a penalty, the Lady Toppers played a pretty even half with Vanderbilt who held a 4-3 advantage on shots through 45 minutes.
The Commodores took a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute when Candace West put an Ashley Oswald cross in the net. From there, Vanderbilt's defense held the Lady Toppers in check, allowing only one shot in the second half. That came in the 75th minute, when an Outerbridge shot from a free kick was stopped by Commodores goalkeeper Alexa Levick.
"It was really nice to see our kids fight through some adversity from the first half," said head coach Jason Neidell. "We started putting some things together in the second half but it was too little too late. Vanderbilt is a very athletic and strong team and we were definitely going to need to bring our 'A' game from the opening whistle in order to compete tonight."
For the match, Vanderbilt held an 8-4 advantage on shots on goal. Three of the Lady Toppers' four shots went on net. Senior goalkeeper Libby Stout made two saves for WKU while Levick had three stops for the Commodores.
WKU is next in action next Friday, September 2nd when the Lady Toppers travel to Clarksville, Tenn. to take on Austin Peay. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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