FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Vanderbilt on September 18, 2025, in a dramatic SEC matchup that saw the Razorbacks overcome an early deficit to claim all three points at home.
Vanderbilt struck first in the 38th minute when Sydney Watts found the back of the net with assistance from Melania Fullerton, giving the Commodores a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. The visitors displayed disciplined defensive shape and quick counter-attacks to maintain their lead through the first period.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second half as Arkansas intensified their attacking pressure. The Razorbacks found their equalizer in the 78th minute when Zoe Susi broke through the Vanderbilt defense with an unassisted effort, igniting the home crowd and setting up a thrilling finish to the match.
With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Arkansas completed their comeback in the 86th minute. Taylor Berman delivered the decisive blow, capitalizing on a precise pass from Vailana Tu'ua to slot home the winner with just minutes remaining. The late goal sent the home supporters into celebration as Arkansas secured a crucial conference victory.
The statistics reflected Arkansas's second-half dominance, as they controlled 54% of possession and outshot Vanderbilt 10-8 overall, with 5 shots on target compared to the visitors' 3. The Razorbacks also earned 6 corner kicks to Vanderbilt's 1, highlighting their sustained attacking pressure throughout the contest.
Arkansas's defensive unit made 2 key saves to keep their team in the match during Vanderbilt's strong first-half performance. On the other end, the Vanderbilt keeper made 3 saves but could not prevent the two second-half goals that ultimately decided the contest.
The physical nature of the SEC matchup was evident with 15 total fouls committed and 2 yellow cards shown to Vanderbilt players as the intensity increased in the second half. Despite the physicality, Arkansas maintained their composure while pressing for the winner, which proved to be the difference in securing all three points.
The victory marked an important result for Arkansas in SEC play, showcasing their resilience and ability to respond under pressure. For Vanderbilt, despite Sydney Watts' opening goal and a strong first-half performance, the inability to maintain their lead in the face of sustained second-half pressure proved costly.
This result will boost Arkansas's confidence as they continue their SEC campaign, demonstrating their capability to overcome adversity and secure victories in tight conference matchups. Vanderbilt will look to regroup and learn from letting a lead slip away in the final stages of what was otherwise a competitive performance on the road.