2000
Women's Soccer Game Notes
SEC Tournament — Nov. 2-5 — Athens, Ga.
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here for a pdf version of the women's soccer notes
Last Year at the SEC Tournament
As hosts of the SEC Tournament, Vanderbilt hoped the home-field advantage
would lead the Commodores to the tournament title. Lady luck was on
Vanderbilt's side in the first-round game when the 8-9-1 Commodores
defeated the favored South Carolina Gamecocks, 2-1 in overtime. But
that was where the good fortune ended as Vanderbilt's season came
to a close with a 3-0 loss to Florida.
Last Time vs. Tennessee
Vanderbilt lost a 2-1 overtime battle with Tennessee Oct. 13 in Knoxville,
Tenn. The two teams fought to a 0-0 tie after the first half, but
the game quickly changed after intermission. Sophomore Jessie Wolfe
got Vanderbilt on the board at the 56:29 mark, but Tennessee's Rhian
Wilkinson tied the game at the 58:46 mark. Regulation ended with the
two teams still knotted at one goal apiece. But just 3:10 into the
first overtime, Wilkinson struck again when she took a pass from Kelly
Berrall, broke free of the Vanderbilt defense, and scored her second
goal of the game.
Eight is Enough
The Commodores have qualified for eight straight SEC Tournaments,
dating back to 1993. Vanderbilt is 9-4-1 all time in the SEC Tournament
with Tournament championships in 1993 and 1994.
Vanderbilt in the Polls
Vanderbilt enters the SEC Tournament ranked eighth in the Central
Region in both the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz polls.
Hershenow Out for Season
Vanderbilt will be without the services of Laura Hershenow for the
remainder of the season after she tore the anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) in her right knee. The injury occurred midway through the second
half of the Commodores' 2-0 win at Duke on Saturday night. Hershenow
is the team leader with 19 points and eight goals, including three
game winners. The freshman forward from Littleton, Colo., also is
second on the team with three assists and 41 shots.
Shutouts Key to Victories
The Vanderbilt defense has played a big role in the team's success
this season. Of the Commodores' 11 wins this season, six of them have
been shutouts. In SEC play, two of the five wins have been shutouts.
Sproul Climbs VU's Shutout
Chart
Freshman goalkeeper Stacee Sproul has recorded six shutouts this season,
placing her in a tie for fourth place on Vanderbilt's all-time shutout
list. Sproul joined the team late after starter Lauren Whitt tore
her anterior cruciate ligament for the second straight year.
Streaking to the End
After starting the season 2-5, the Commodores have finished the season
winners of five of their last six games and nine of their last 12
games.
Top-Notch Schedule
The Commodores have played four teams ranked in this week's NSCAA
Top-25 poll with a road victory over No. 18 SMU.
Producing When it Counts
Sophomore Jen Talavera battled injuries early in the season, but turned
it on quickly in conference play. Talavera leads the team in SEC play
with 12 points and five goals. Her breakout weekend came against Auburn
and Alabama. Against Auburn, the forward from Kenner, La., scored
two goals, including the game-tying score with just two seconds remaining,
to help Vanderbilt record the 3-2 overtime win. Less than 48 hours
later, Talavera scored the game-winning goal in the Commodores' 2-1
win over Alabama. For her efforts, Talavera was named SEC Player of
the Week.
Youth Movement
Six of the top seven scorers for the Commodores are underclassmen.
Freshman Laura Hershenow leads the team with 19 points and eight goals.
Sophomore Kat Carroll is second on the team with 18 points and seven
goals. They are joined by sophomore Jen Talavera and freshmen Michelle
Bruntlett, Jennifer Lewis and Emily Wilpers.
Dominating the Offensive
Chances
Vanderbilt has dominated the offensive play of its games all season.
The Commodores have outshot their opponents 310-156 on the season
and lead the points scored battle 111-63.
Vanderbilt in the SEC
Rankings
Vanderbilt is second in the SEC in points allowed (63) and goals allowed
(23). In conference matches only, Vanderbilt is second in points allowed
(30), second in goals allowed (11) third in points scored (66) and
tied for third in goals scored (22).
Commodores in the SEC
Rankings
Individually in the SEC rankings, freshman goalkeeper Stacee Sproul
is third in goals against average (1.19) and third in shutouts (6).
In conference matches only, Sproul is third in goal against average
(1.19) and tied for fourth in shutouts (2), while sophomore Jen Talavera
is tied for fourth in goals scored (5).
Commodores Excel in
Classroom
Vanderbilt placed 10 student-athletes on the 2000 SEC Women's Soccer
Academic Honor Roll, it was announced Tuesday by SEC Commissioner
Roy Kramer. Vanderbilt's Honor Roll selections included Laurie Black
(Human and Organizational Development), Kat Carroll (Undecided), Kate
Elia (Sociology), Lizzy Johnson (Mechanical Engineering), Kelly Kulsrud
(Elementary Education), Katie Stegall (Child Development), Kim Szurovy
(Economics/Political Science), Natalie Taylor (Civil Engineering),
Lauren Whitt (Human and Organizational Development) and Jessie Wolfe
(Interdisciplinary Communications/Political Science).
