Sept. 18, 2011

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In its final nonconference match of the 2011 regular season, the Samford University soccer team dropped a hard-fought 2-0 decision on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores Sunday at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex (2,400).

The teams battled for nearly 75 minutes without a goal before Vanderbilt (6-2) tallied its game-winning score at 74:45. The Commodores' Dana Schwartz tallied the decisive goal on an assist from Duggan Hahn. Vanderbilt tacked on its second score of the match at 86:32 from Gena Inbusch.

Samford (2-5) faced its fifth Southeastern Conference opponent of the 2011 campaign Sunday. Earlier this year, the Bulldogs squared off against Tennessee, Mississippi State, Alabama and No. 23-ranked Auburn.

Against Vanderbilt, Samford's goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead tallied a match-high five saves. The Bulldogs' 6-foot-3 senior from Hattiesburg, Miss., has compiled 45 saves this season.

Samford's offensive attack Sunday was bolstered by true freshman Amanda Abbott and junior forward Kaley Blanton. Both Abbott and Blanton registered shots on-goal in the contest, while sophomore Michelle Moll and Adrianne Mancino also added shot attempts.

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 6 p.m., as the Bulldogs begin their Southern Conference schedule on the road against the Elon Phoenix. The key SoCon showdown will be held at Elon's Rudd Field (1,000).