No. 3/1 Vanderbilt scores three times in the second half to win in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 3/1 Vanderbilt picked up its first win at Regal Soccer Stadium since 2018, riding a Sydney Watts brace to a 3-1 victory over No. 9/6 Tennessee Sunday afternoon.
The Commodores (10-0-1, 3-0-1 SEC) collected their second top-25 win of the season and their first top-10 SEC victory on the road since they defeated the Lady Vols in Knoxville eight years ago.
Watts registered the sixth brace of the year and second of 2025, scoring in the 47th and 62nd minutes to put Vanderbilt in control after a scoreless first half. Freshman Mia Hebert continues to produce, claiming an assist on both goals.
Tennessee (6-1-3, 1-1-2) scored in the 74th minute, but the Dores instantly responded through Megan Hinnenkamp, who connected on a lovely backheel for her fourth goal of the season. Olivia Stafford picked up her eighth assist, tying her for the most in the country this season.
It’s the first match this season in which the Lady Vol defense has conceded three goals, and the first time they’ve done so in a home SEC match since 2025. The Commodores now have 41 goals through 11 matches, the third most in the nation.
Alexa Gianoplus made three saves in net, and Adysen Armenta added her first assist of the year on Watts’ opener.
Vanderbilt is back home on Friday for a 6 p.m. showdown with Kentucky.
