Vanderbilt Soccer Falls to Arkansas,Goalkeeper Wojdelko Enters Program’s Top-10 in Saves
FAYETTEVILLE,Ark. – No.17 Vanderbilt soccer suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of No. 10 Arkansas Thursday night at Razorback Field, despite outshooting the Razorbacks 20-10. The loss marked the second of the season for the Commodores.
Junior Sydney Watts gave Vanderbilt an early lead, scoring in the 39th minute off a feed from Melania fullerton – her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Though, Arkansas responded with two second-half goals, equalizing in the 78th minute via a Zoe Susi free kick and securing the game-winner in the 85th minute when Taylor Berman finished a play set up by Vailana Tu’ua. Vanderbilt held an 11-6 advantage in shots on frame and a 5-2 margin in corner kicks, with keeper Sara Wojdelko recording three saves.
Despite the setback, the match marked a notable milestone for wojdelko, who cracked into the Vanderbilt soccer program’s top-10 list for all-time saves. She currently boasts 110 saves throughout her career (2022-present),securing the No. 10 spot. The program’s all-time leader remains Rachel Bachtel with 320 saves (2007-10).
Vanderbilt will next face Oklahoma on Sept. 12 in its conference opener. Oklahoma recently topped Florida 2-1, with goals from Juliette Rayo and Lexi Dendis, and entered the United soccer Coaches Poll at No. 22 on Aug. 19 – the longest stretch of consecutive weeks ranked in program history at five weeks. Key Sooners to watch include transfer forward Kayla Keefer (4 goals, 8 assists) and freshman Ally Laccinole, named SEC Freshman of the Week on Aug. 18. Oklahoma goalkeeper Caroline Duffy has recorded 22 saves this season and holds an 8-1-1 record.
