NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt soccer continued its shutout streak with a 2-0 win over Western Kentucky Thursday evening. Alex Kerr’s two goals in a five-minute span lifted the Commodores to victory to improve their 2022 record to 3-0-0.

The Commodores and Lady Toppers played to zeroes in the opening half, with Vanderbilt peppering the attacking zone with shots. In the first half, the Commodores were outshooting their opposition, 7-2. Kate Devine faced her first shot on goal late in the first half, punching the shot out of the sky and away from her goal to keep the Lady Toppers off the board.

The Commodores regrouped at the halftime break and came out with a renewed focus.

“The energy of the crowd tonight was great,” head coach Darren Ambrose said following the match. “At halftime we met with the team where we really settled in and focused. I think that helped tremendously going into the second half.” Kerr broke the stalemate in the 51st minute when she caught a pass from Raegan Kelley on the rush. The senior then tipped a shot over the Western Kentucky keeper for the go-ahead goal. Less than five minutes later the North Carolina native struck again for her second goal of the season, grabbing her own rebound to make it 2-0, Vanderbilt.

“After that first goal the team was re-energized and I felt we came together as a team more,” Kerr stated. “It was nice to get that first one of the year at home and we’re really excited for the season ahead.”

The two teams continued to battle with the Commodores pressing a strong attacking game in the late minutes of competition. After just two shots on goal through the first 45 minutes, the Commodores fired four on goal in the second half to clinch victory.

Goals

• Kerr scored her first of the season when she picked up a pass from Raegan Kelley at the top of the box. With the keeper closing in, Kerr fired the shot off her left foot into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 Commodore lead.

• Less than five minutes later Kerr found her own rebound out front to take a 2-0 lead. Kerr beat the defender in the box and fired a shot on goal. The Western Kentucky keeper made the initial save but Kerr rushed to the ball and capitalized on her second opportunity.

Key Stats

• The Commodores outshot the Lady Toppers 16-5 on the night, including a team-high four shots from Kerr.

• In her second consecutive start, Devine registered one save to keep Western Kentucky off the board and continue her shutout streak (two games).

• With the win, the Commodores improve to 6-1-0 all-time against the Lady Toppers.

• Through three games this season, Vanderbilt has not conceded a goal, outscoring their opponents 6-0. Up Next Vanderbilt continues its home-stand Sunday with Providence at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and Pack the Plex for the first ever matchup between the Commodores and Friars.