Georgia Returns to Road to Face Vanderbilt Sunday

NR / #19 Georgia (4-3-2, 0-1-0 SEC) at NR Vanderbilt (5-0-3, 0-0-1 SEC)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 22
Time: 2 p.m. EDT
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Site: Vanderbilt Soccer Complex (2,400)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Stream: SEC Network+ (Alex Gould, PxP / Maddie Elwell, Analyst)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Vanderbilt leads 15-13-2
In Athens: Tied, 7-7-1
In Nashville: Tied, 6-6-1
Neutral: Vanderbilt leads 2-0-0
Last Meeting: Georgia – W, 2-1 (Sept. 29, 2023 – Athens, Ga.)
Current Streak: W1
GF / GA: 41 / 48

QUICK KICKS
Return to the Road
Georgia, ranked 19th in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings and 58th in the NCAA RPI rankings, opens its SEC road schedule with a matchup at Vanderbilt Sunday afternoon, the team's first contest away from Athens in three weeks. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound from a tough 2-1 loss to South Carolina Thursday, while the Commodores return to Nashville following a 2-2 tie on the road against No. 6 Auburn. Georgia is looking to continue its two-match unbeaten streak against Vanderbilt, following last season's 2-1 victory in Athens. Prior to tying the Commodores in 2022, the Bulldogs had lost six meetings in a row; additionally, the Dawgs have not prevailed in Nashville since a 3-1 win in 2015.

Cut Down by Carolina
Following three straight wins, Georgia opened SEC play with a tough 2-1 loss to South Carolina Thursday evening. In the 11th minute, the Bulldogs were unable to clear three straight Gamecock shots before Corinna Zullo scored on a bicycle kick for the early lead. South Carolina added to the lead in the 48th minute with a top-shelf goal from Cuyler Zulauf. Six minutes later, redshirt sophomore midfielder Summer Denigan cut the deficit with a goal off Devon Winters' first career assist. The Bulldogs had multiple opportunities to find an equalizer but were turned away by the Gamecock defense.

Commodore Homecoming
Two members of Georgia's roster are making their returns to Nashville after beginning their careers with Vanderbilt. Graduate midfielder Amber Nguyen appeared in 66 matches with 47 starts, scoring five goals and assisting on 11 while helping the Commodores win the 2020 SEC Tournament championship. Junior defender Maddie Baker played in 30 matches with 10 starts over two seasons, tallying three goals.

Dominant Closer
Georgia wrapped up a difficult non-conference schedule with a 4-1 win over Washington State last Sunday, boosted by a career-high two goals from graduate midfielder Dasia Torbert, her first scores in two seasons. Both of Torbert's goals were set up by assists from redshirt sophomore midfielder Summer Denigan, setting her new career best total. Washington native Aly Akers opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with a goal off Maddy Pirrello's first assist as a Bulldog, while graduate forward Margie Detrizio tacked on a goal against her former team with a service from sophomore forward Jocelyn Chinea. While junior keeper Jordan Brown only tallied two saves, the Bulldogs' defense only allowed seven shots (three on frame) and two corner kicks.

Dynamic Detrizio
Graduate midfielder Margie Detrizio has provided a boon to the Georgia offense after transferring this offseason from Washington State. Detrizio leads the team in all offensive categories, including a team-best six goals, already matching the leading total turned in by three Bulldogs last season. With her goal against her former team Sunday, the Chandler, Arizona native became the 13th player in program history to score in three-consecutive matches - the first since Dani Murguia in 2022. Detrizio also ranks seventh in the SEC in scoring.

Nation's Strongest Slate
Throughout his early tenure in Athens, Keidane McAlpine has made it a point to challenge his team with a difficult non-conference schedule. Last season, matches against UCLA, Clemson, and UCF helped Georgia finish No. 7 in the NCAA RPI and earn a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament. This year's schedule is no different with the slate currently ranking as the toughest nationally, with a current .735 win percentage.

In 2023, the Bulldogs were the only Power 5 school to play a team from each of the other four leagues. This season, they are one of five with the distinction, joining Texas, Iowa, Michigan, and Baylor. The Bulldogs and Hawkeyes are the only two P4 institutions to face each of the other Power conferences, as well as take on a remaining Pac-12 school (Georgia - Washington State, Iowa - Oregon State).

Dawg Bites

Assistant coach Rade Tanaskovic is away from the team as he serves on staff for the United States at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia. In his absence, director of recruiting and player development Sammy Towne has been elevated to assistant coach.
Against one of the nation's strongest slates, Jordan Brown leads the SEC with 53 saves and ranks first in saves per game (5.89), two more than Texas' Mia Justus at 3.89.

Up Next
Georgia remains on the road to face No. 20 Kentucky on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+. The Bulldogs won both matchups last season against the Wildcats, winning 1-0 in Athens before a comeback 2-1 victory in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

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Players Mentioned

Aly Akers

Maddie Baker

Jordan Brown

Jocelyn Chinea

Summer Denigan

Margie Detrizio

Amber Nguyen

Maddy Pirrello

Dasia Torbert

Devon Winters