Tennessee soccer opens SEC play with win over Ole Miss
Kate Runyon (7) during a match against UCLA at Regal Soccer Stadium. Thursday, Sep. 5, 2024.
Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee soccer opened SEC play with a win over Ole Miss, defeating the Rebels, 2-1.
The Lady Vols (6-1-1, 1-0-0) got a goal from Kate Runyon, but the Rebels (5-5-0, 0-1-0) equalized just a few minutes later. Sammi Woods scored the game winner for Tennessee on an assist from Runyon.
Although Tennessee’s six-match run of clean sheets ended on Thursday, the Lady Vols have only allowed two goals this season.
Here are some takeaways from the win.
Lady Vols up-and-down in first half
While Tenessee had moments early in the game where it shined, it also made crucial mistakes, one of which cost it a goal.
In the 22nd minute, the Lady Vols created chaos inside the penalty area. While Ally Brown’s shot was saved, Runyon scored her second goal of the season on the rebound.
Just three minutes later, the Lady Vols failed to protect their own back line, conceding a goal to Kelly Brady. It was the first goal Tennessee allowed since its season-opening loss to Indiana.
Late in the half, the Lady Vols had a chance to take back the lead on a penalty kick, but Sammi Woods’ effort was saved by Ole Miss goalkeeper Shu Ohba. Tennessee finished the first half with 10 shots, but it wasn’t enough to carry a lead into the halftime break.
Sammi Woods puts Lady Vols ahead
After a cagey first 15 minutes of the second half, Tennessee started to build toward getting a go-ahead goal. With the ball in the area, Runyon made a tackle and found Woods, who put the Lady Vols ahead with a strike in space.
Woods earned her third goal of the season on the shot, and Runyon recorded her second assist of the season.
Ally Zazzara saves the game
After allowing just her second goal of the season, Ally Zazzara made two crucial saves to help Tennessee open SEC play with a win. The first came on an Ole Miss corner kick as Zazzara dealt with the shot from the Rebels.
In the second half, Zazzara faced a shot from distance that threatened Tennessee’s newfound lead. The redshirt junior calmly pushed the ball over the goal, saving a potential Ole Miss equalizer.