KNOXVILLE, Tn. – No. 19 Vanderbilt knocked off No. 9 Tennessee, 3-1, on Sunday at Regal Soccer Stadium to maintain its perfect conference record atop the SEC standings.
 
Vanderbilt improved to 13-1 overall, and 6-0 in conference play after winning a program-record 13th straight game. The Commodores have now beaten the Volunteers four times in a row and have secured back-to-back wins against ranked opponents for the first time this season.
 
The Dores jumped out to an early lead in the ninth minute thanks to the foot of Haley Hopkins. Hopkins received a pass from Grace Jackson, beat a Volunteer defender and fired a shot that ricocheted into the goal for her 10th goal this season.
 
Vanderbilt's defense stayed solid until it surrendered a goal in the 69th minute. But the Dores bounced back quickly and managed to take the lead minutes later.
 
In the 75th minute, Nia Dorsey broke away on the right sideline and delivered a cross into the box where Peyton Cutshall outjumped a Volunteer defender to head the ball into the net. It was the second straight game that features an assist for Dorsey and the first-career goal for Cutshall.
 
The Commodores stayed on the attack and added another goal 30 seconds later. Hopkins delivered a pass to Olivia Simmons who fired a shot on goal. The ball deflected off the goalie before Hopkins gathered the rebound and fired a shot into the open net for her 11th goal this season.
 
"We were able to come back and fight until the end," Hopkins said. "Our defense's soccer IQ is so high, and I know I trust them to get the ball up there. I owe it to them to try my hardest and run super hard."
 
It was the fourth multi-goal game this season for Hopkins, who was recently crowned SEC Freshman of the Week.
 
Lauren Demarchi got the start in goal for the Dores, and the junior moved to 9-0 on the season after collecting the win.
 
Up next, the Dores come home to face No. 12 South Carolina on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex. The game can be viewed on SEC Network+.