MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee vs. California
The Lady Vols will kick off their 2023 campaign at home, hosting California on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
In its first exhibition outing, UT came from two goals down against #7 Alabama to draw 2-2. Graduate transfer
Samantha Agresti and redshirt-sophomore
Jenna Stayart were the goal scorers for UT. Redshirt-sophomore
Ally Zazzara and redshirt-freshman
Abby Reisz split time in the net, combining for three saves on the night. Tennessee kept the pressure on offensively, outshooting the Crimson Tide 16-7 and taking 11 corners to UA's four.
Tennessee had a second exhibition match scheduled against Jacksonville State on Saturday, but it was delayed due to lightning 15 minutes after kickoff and was eventually abandoned.
Admission is free for all preseason and regular-season soccer matches. For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's
clear bag policy will be in effect again this season.
GAME PROMOTIONS:
- 2023 Schedule Poster
- Thunderstick Giveaway
- $1 Hot Dog Night
- Food Trucks: Good Hombres and Irvey's Ice Cream
VS THE PAC 12: This is just the second meeting between Cal and UT, and the first of this millennium. In their initial meeting in 1999, Tennessee fell on the road, 1-2. The Lady Vols own a record of 7-15-3 all-time against the PAC 12. In its most recent matchup with a PAC 12 team, UT defeated Washington State 2-0 to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 on Nov. 19, 2021.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN BEARS: Cal was picked to finish fourth in the PAC 12. It's the Bears' highest placement on the poll since 2018 and matches their 2022 finish. UCLA was picked to finish first, followed by Stanford and USC at second and third, respectively. Last season, Cal finished with a record of 10-5-6 overall and 5-3-3 in conference play.
NEW FACES: Tennessee added 10 newcomers in its 2023 signing class. All 10 are versatile field players with six enrolling as freshmen and four arriving as transfers with multiple years of collegiate experience.
BACK AGAIN: The Lady Vols return five starters and 20 letterwinners from the 2022 team that clinched an SEC East Division title for the third straight season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Redshirt senior
Jaida Thomas, senior
Lawson Renie, juniors
Sheridan Michel and
Jordan Fusco, and sophomore
Kameron Simmonds were all named to the SEC Preseason Watch List.
TRACKING THOMAS: Jaida Thomas finished the 2022 season with 13 goals to rank second in the SEC. She enters the 2023 season with a career total of 38 goals, sitting within five of tying Kylee Rossi at No. 1 all time in career goals scored at UT.
UP NEXT: UT will travel to Lipscomb for a 2 p.m. ET matinee on Sunday.