AUSTIN, Texas - Texas (3-7-1) secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Vanderbilt (7-3-1) on Friday evening at Mike A. Myers Stadium, with Amalia Villarreal converting a 90th-minute penalty kick to seal the win in front of 1,847 fans.
The match remained scoreless until the 67th minute when Villarreal broke the deadlock, finishing a well-placed assist from Ava McDonald. Vanderbilt's Olivia Stafford equalized in the 79th minute off assists from Mary Beth McLaughlin and Courtney Jones. The decisive moment came in the final minute when Villarreal converted from the spot after being fouled in the box.
The first half saw both teams create opportunities but struggle to find the finishing touch. Vanderbilt's Sydney Watts tested the Texas defense with a shot in the 10th minute that sailed high. The Commodores continued to press, with Ally Bollig forcing a save in the 25th minute. Texas responded through Villarreal's low shot in the 17th minute, while Olivia Ahern had an attempt blocked in the 36th minute.
The second half intensified dramatically. Texas goalkeeper Kendell Williams made crucial saves to keep her team in contention. The match's complexion changed significantly in the closing minutes when Vanderbilt goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko received a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. This set up Villarreal's match-winning penalty kick, which she dispatched into the bottom left corner.
Statistically, Vanderbilt dominated much of the play, outshooting Texas 17-10 with six shots on target compared to Texas's five. The Commodores also held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. The physical nature of the match was evident with Vanderbilt receiving three yellow cards and one red card.
Individual performances shaped the outcome significantly. Villarreal proved decisive for Texas with both goals, while McDonald's creative playmaking led to the opening goal. For Vanderbilt, Stafford showed excellent positioning for her equalizer, while Courtney Jones created multiple dangerous opportunities, including a shot that narrowly missed in the 88th minute.
Tactically, Texas absorbed significant pressure but maintained their defensive shape effectively. The Longhorns' counter-attacking strategy paid dividends, particularly in transition moments. Vanderbilt's high-pressing approach created numerous chances but ultimately left them vulnerable to Texas's quick breaks.
The victory marks a crucial turning point for Texas, snapping a two-game losing streak and providing momentum ahead of their upcoming match against Texas A&M. For Vanderbilt, the defeat ends a positive run that included a convincing win over Oklahoma, though they remain well-positioned in the conference standings.
The match's dramatic conclusion, featuring Wojdelko's red card and Villarreal's composed finish from the spot, provided a fitting end to an intensely contested battle. Both teams showed their competitive spirit throughout, but Texas's resilience and Villarreal's clinical finishing proved the difference.
Looking ahead, Texas will travel to face Texas A&M on October 2, while Vanderbilt returns home to host Auburn on the same date. Both teams will need to quickly regroup from this emotional encounter as they continue their conference campaigns.