Vanderbilt University’s soccer team celebrated a remarkable week as two of its players received Southeastern Conference (SEC) accolades. On Monday, Sydney Watts was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while Reagan Pentz earned the title of SEC Freshman of the Week following standout performances in victories against Mississippi State and No. 4 Tennessee.
Pentz played a pivotal role in the Commodores’ 2-0 upset over the Volunteers on Sunday. She scored her first goal of the season just nine minutes into the match, giving Vanderbilt an early lead. Throughout the game, Pentz helped dictate the tempo and managed to secure a significant win for her team. In the previous match against Mississippi State, she also contributed to the Commodores’ control of possession.
Watts added to the excitement on Sunday by scoring the second goal in the 82nd minute, effectively sealing the victory. This goal marked a historic moment for the program as it was Vanderbilt’s first win against a top-five opponent. Earlier in the week, Watts had already made her mark by scoring and assisting in a 5-1 rout of Mississippi State on Thursday.
Commodores on a Winning Streak
Vanderbilt’s soccer team is currently experiencing a five-game winning streak, bringing their season record to 12-3-1 and their SEC play record to 4-2-1. After defeating a highly ranked Tennessee squad, the Commodores are expected to rise in the national rankings, having entered the week at 21st place.
The team aims to extend its winning streak to six games in their regular season finale, which will take place on October 26, 2023, against the No. 8 South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
Additional Updates from Commodores Athletics
As the soccer team celebrates its achievements, other Vanderbilt sports are also in action. The women’s golf team is competing in the second day of The Ally, while the women’s tennis team is participating in the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships.
In football news, the Commodores have sold out their upcoming game against No. 15 Missouri, marking the fourth sellout this season. This announcement came shortly after Vanderbilt’s thrilling victory over No. 10 LSU, where they triumphed with a score of 31-24.
With the excitement building across various sports, Vanderbilt’s athletic programs continue to make headlines as they prepare for future competitions.
