Vandy draws vs. Florida in high-scoring affair
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In a high-scoring affair, the Vanderbilt soccer team picked up a 3-3 draw against visiting Florida in SEC action Sunday at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex. The Commodores remain undefeated at home this season with an 8-0-3 mark in Nashville.
Senior Amber Nguyen tallied a goal and an assist to pace the offense, while fellow senior Kate Devine made three saves including one on a Florida penalty kick in the second half.
Florida (6-6-4, 2-5-2 SEC) struck first in the 13th minute before Vandy (8-4-4, 3-4-1) quickly leveled the scoring on a Rachel Deresky goal in the 19th minute. Off a feed from Addie Porter, Deresky ripped a shot from 12 yards out that found the back of the net.
The Gators responded with a 31st-minute goal from Maddy Pirello to put the Dores in a 2-1 hole heading into halftime.
Florida had a chance to take a 3-1 lead on a penalty kick in the 48th minute, but Devine's diving save kept the Dores within striking distance at 2-1.
The Commodores tied it up in the 62nd minute off a set piece when a Florida foul gave the Dores a free kick near the Gators' goal line. Abi Brighton delivered the ball on the ground to the feet of Nguyen, who scored to the far post.
Vanderbilt kept up the pressure and took a 3-2 lead in the 79th minute on a Maddie Baker half volley off a Nguyen cross.
A left-footed strike from eight yards out off the foot of Florida's Megan Hinnenkamp proved to be the equalizer at 3-3.
The Commodores will conclude the regular season on Thursday with a home match against Tennessee. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. start on SEC Network+.