(September 5, 2008) -Despite playing with a lot of effort and toughness throughout the match, the ETSU women's soccer team dropped its first contest of the season, as Vanderbilt defeated the Buccaneers 3-0, Friday at Summers-Taylor Stadium. ETSU falls to 2-1 on the season, as Vanderbilt improves to a 4-0 mark.

The Commodores got on the board first, as Vanderbilt took advantage of an ETSU foul. On the ensuing free kick, Vanderbilt senior forward Amy Wilcox crossed a pass inside the box, which was then battled for and knocked in by Megan Eddings, in the 22nd minute. After the first goal, both teams would continue to battle for the remainder of the half as the Commodores would take a one goal lead into the intermission.

"We have to learn to not to make fouls when the opposing team gets the ball in that situation," head coach Heather Henson said. "But give credit to Vanderbilt for doing a good job getting the ball in that defensive third of the field and taking advantage of that opportunity."  

As the intensity picked up in the second half, Vanderbilt's offense would go on the attack again. Sophomore forward Megan Kinsella gained possession of a loose ball inside the Bucs box and fired home the second goal of the match. Vanderbilt would add one more insurance goal as freshman midfielder Elizabeth Lillie, would take advantage of a crossing pass by freshman midfielder Emily Grant for the final goal of the match.

For the Bucs, junior forward Jordan Monty (Mesquite, Texas) led ETSU with two shots. The preseason All-Atlantic Sun member continued to push for offensive opportunities for most of the match, but great defense by Vanderbilt's back four defenders and sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Bachtel shutdown any offensive chances for the Bucs.

"Jordan did a good job in the first half getting the ball in center back and trying to create scoring chances," said Henson. "The one thing we needed to do is get one of our forwards to slip around the Vanderbilt defense and try to get a run that way. Vanderbilt has great team speed and when you play a team like that you have to increase your speed of play and try not to play the ball all the way to the back of your offensive sets."

Defensively, f-freshman goalkeeper Megan Masch (Virginia Beach, Va.), made a career-high seven saves in 90 minutes of play.

ETSU returns to action with a four game road trip, starting with an 8 p.m., September 12th contest at North Texas.