NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Gaels split their Tennessee road trip with a victory against Tennessee Tech on Thursday before falling 4-1 to SEC member Vanderbilt to conclude the weekend. Sydney Middaugh scored her first goal of the season to knot the game at one but the Commodores responded with four unanswered goals to secure the non-conference victory.  

FIRST HALF SMC 1-2 VANDERBILT

Saint Mary's started off the match with a shot by Taylour Mendoza two minutes into the game; however, Vanderbilt got on the scoreboard with a shot to the bottom left corner in the 8th minute. . Four minutes later, Kate Plachy made her first save of the day as the Commodores attempted another shot on goal.

Four minutes off the bench, sophomore Sydney Middaugh was able to even the score at one in the 22nd minute, launching the ball into the top left corner of the goal. With the help of Tessa Salvestrin and Savannah Schwarze, Middaugh scored her first goal of the season.. 

In the 37th minute, Vanderbilt's Sydney Watts scored her second goal of the match, putting her team ahead just before the half ended. The Commodores outshot the Gaels 10-5 in the first half and Plachy finished with three saves. 

FINAL SMC 4-1 VANDERBILT

Off the bat, Vanderbilt put two goals in the back of the net at the 46th minute mark and the 51st. Shortly after, SMC's Briana Salvetti attempted for the Gaels, but was off target. 

Between the 58th and 59th minute, the Commodores put up three shot attempts  with Plachy saving two and the defense blocking the other. Vanderbilt remained in the Gaels territory with four more shots before Savetti's attempt on goal was saved by the Commodores goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko. 

In the final minutes of the game, the Gaels defense blocked three of Vanderbilt's attempts, and SMC goalkeeper Isabella Banuelos had her save of the season. The Commodores remained on top as SMC Maddie Lucas closed out the game with the last shot of the day. 

Saint Mary's showed good fight early in the match after coming back to tie the game at one a piece, but Vanderbilt went on to score three unanswered and take the game 4-1. The Commodores outshot the Gaels 23-8 and Plachy finished with a season high six saves before making way for Banuelos. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's falls to 1-2-1 on the season and will continue their non-conference slate as they return home for their next two matchups against Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday, August 29th at 5:00 PM and Stanford on Thursday, September 5th at 5:00 PM. Live stats, stream and ticket links can all be found at smcgaels.com. 

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