WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Vanderbilt soccer team improved to 2-0 on the season with their 1-0 victory at Purdue Sunday afternoon. A defensive battle throughout, Rachel Deresky’s goal in the 78th minute ultimately lifted the Commodores over the Boilermakers.

The two teams squared off in an evenly contested first half at Folk Field, with Vanderbilt outshooting its opponent 7-5 through the first 45 minutes. After giving up the first two shots of the game, the Commodores maintained pressure in the attacking third t record seven-consecutive shots. Alex Kerr had back-to-back close calls from the left side but was unable to capitalize and the two teams played to a 0-0 score at the half.

The second half saw a lot more back-and-forth action with both sides trading shots early in the second half. The Commodores nearly broke the tie partway through the second half when Deresky’s shot ricocheted off the Purdue goalkeeper where Amber Nguyen found an open net in front of her. A boilermaker defender blocked the rebound attempt and the two sides played on, tied 0-0.

Deresky’s second goal of the year, and third of her career, came in the 78th minute and gave Vanderbilt their second win of the year. She picked up a pass from Raegan Kelley out front and beat the diving goalkeeper on the right. The defensive effort doubled down on the Boilermakers in the final 12 minutes but a yellow card in the box awarded Purdue a penalty kick opportunity with six minutes to play. Kate Devine read the play and made a quick save to keep the Boilermakers off the board. With the win, Devine now holds five career shutouts and tied her career-high saves with four.

Goals

• Deresky broke the stalemate in the 78th minute with a shot from out front. The game-winning goal was Deresky’s second of the season, having scored the go-ahead goal in the team’s season opener at Evansville.

Key Stats

• Abi Brighton’s three shots from the midfield led the Commodores in the opening half at Purdue. Her third shot late in the half sailed just over the goal as Vanderbilt looked to break the stalemate in the 40th minute.

• Goalkeeper Kate Devine registered two saves in the final three minutes of the first half to keep the Boilermakers off the board and the two teams knotted at 0-0.

• Deresky scored her second game-winning goal of the season with her tally in the 78th minute from Raegan Kelley.

• Devine’s four saves in the contest ties her career high, also recorded against Purdue last season in Nashville.

• Including Devine in goal, five Commodores posted 90 minute games in Kelley, Maya Antoine, Ella Shamburger and Alex Wagner Up Next • The Commodores return to Music City to host Western Kentucky Thursday night in their home-opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.