Vanderbilt Captures SEC Championship in Penalty Kick Thriller

Jonathan Turner
Nov 10, 2025
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Vanderbilt soccer is back on top of the SEC.

In a dramatic showdown at the Brosnaham Soccer Complex on Sunday, No. 8 Vanderbilt edged No. 25 LSU 8–7 in penalty kicks to capture the SEC Tournament Championship, marking the program’s fourth title and second under head coach Darren Ambrose since 2020.

Resilient Comeback

After falling behind 1–0 in the 25th minute on a goal from LSU’s Gabbi Ceballos, Vanderbilt battled through adversity in a match that tested both grit and composure. The Tigers carried their lead into halftime with a 6–3 shot advantage, but the Commodores refused to fold.

Double Overtime Drama

The two teams traded blows through regulation and both overtime periods, combining for four yellow cards in a hard-fought contest. Neither side could find the winner, forcing a penalty shootout — the first SEC final decided by PKs since 2018.

Wojdelko’s Championship Moment

Graduate goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko, recently named 2025 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year, became the hero once again. With Vanderbilt trailing in the shootout, Wojdelko made a diving save to deny Gadea Blanco González, then stopped another potential game-winner from Morgan Witz to keep the Commodores alive.

After Mary Beth McLaughlin converted to give Vanderbilt an 8–7 lead, Wojdelko sealed the championship by stopping Jazmin Ferguson’s shot, setting off a celebration nearly three hours in the making.

“If you watched the Florida State match from last year, [Wojdelko] did the same thing,” said Ambrose. “We said before we went out for penalties, ‘We’ve got Wojo, they don’t.’ And that was all we needed.”

Championship Legacy

Vanderbilt’s victory marked its eighth straight win, snapping LSU’s 10-match unbeaten run. Four Commodores earned spots on the SEC All-Tournament Team — Jones, Wojdelko, Sydney Watts, and Olivia Stafford — with Jones also named Tournament MVP, joining Myra Konte (2020) as the only Vanderbilt players to earn that distinction.

“Tactically, this was not the game we wanted,” Ambrose reflected. “But this was not about tactics anymore; this was about our desire to win. We were on a mission here, and we were not leaving without a trophy.”

Looking Ahead

With the SEC crown secured, Vanderbilt (15-3-2) now turns its focus to the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, set for 3 p.m. Monday on NCAA.com.