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No. 12 UT Clinches SEC East Title With 2-0 Win Over UK
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12 Tennessee clinched an SEC East Championship on Thursday, defeating Kentucky in Regal Soccer Stadium on Senior Night, 2-0.
It's the first time UT has won SEC East titles in back-to-back seasons since winning four straight from 2002 to 2005. The win was the Vols' 15th victory of the season, setting a new program record for regular-season wins.
Senior Mackenzie George and redshirt-sophomore Jaida Thomas were the goal scorers for UT (15-2-0, 8-2-0 SEC). Senior Ashley Gabor made her first start as a Volunteer, playing the full 90 minutes and making seven saves on the night to earn the shutout.
Kentucky's (7-10-2, 1-9-0 SEC) efforts were led by Marissa Bosco and Jordyn Rhodes who combined for seven shots. In goal, Laura Nielson tallied six saves on the day.
"Winning championships and winning trophies, it's hard. It's hard to do. You've got to be good, and you've got to be consistent over a long period of time," said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky. "To be able to go 8-2 in the league and 5-1 in the East, you've got to go do it over time, and you've got to do it every day, and you've got to show up every day, and that's what our kids did. It starts with our leaders, and it's just hats off to this team."
Before the match, UT recognized Wrenne French, Ashley Gabor, Mackenzie Ostrom, Hannah Tillett and Brooke Wilson for their accomplishments on Rocky Top in a Senior Night ceremony.
George was the first to strike, driving the ball up the center of the field before shooting from inside the 18 to put UT ahead just over seven minutes into play.
Thomas scored in the 30th minute, volleying a shot into the back of the goal off a cross from Taylor Huff.
Bosco got two first-half shots on goal for the Wildcats, but Gabor was there for the saves, and UT took a 2-0 advantage into the break.
In the second half, Tennessee managed seven shots but was unable to find the net.
The Vols nearly added a third goal in the 76th minute when Brooke Wilson ran onto a flick from Cariel Ellis to break behind the Kentucky defense to go one-on-one with the UK keeper, but Nielsen was there to scoop up the ball after a touch went just a hair too long.
Kentucky countered, outshooting UT 8-7 in the second half and putting five of those on frame, but Gabor came up with the stop each time, and Tennessee closed out the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record at home.
UP NEXT: Tennessee will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 2 seed, playing at noon CT on Tuesday against the winner of Sunday's No. 7 vs. No. 10 matchup. The tournament is held in Orange Beach, Ala., and the matches will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
GEORGE HITTING HER STRIDE: Senior Mackenzie George has scored in three straight games, moving into fourth place in total goals with five.
TEN SHUTOUTS: With the win over Kentucky UT posted its 10th shutout of the season and inches closer to the single-season program record of 12.
BALANCED ATTACK: Jaida Thomas took the lead in total goals with her eighth of the season against Kentucky. She is one of four Vols who have scored 5+ goals on the season. Claudia Dipasupil and Taylor Huff each have seven, and Mackenzie Georgesits at five.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12 Tennessee clinched an SEC East Championship on Thursday, defeating Kentucky in Regal Soccer Stadium on Senior Night, 2-0.
It's the first time UT has won SEC East titles in back-to-back seasons since winning four straight from 2002 to 2005. The win was the Vols' 15th victory of the season, setting a new program record for regular-season wins.
Senior Mackenzie George and redshirt-sophomore Jaida Thomas were the goal scorers for UT (15-2-0, 8-2-0 SEC). Senior Ashley Gabor made her first start as a Volunteer, playing the full 90 minutes and making seven saves on the night to earn the shutout.
Kentucky's (7-10-2, 1-9-0 SEC) efforts were led by Marissa Bosco and Jordyn Rhodes who combined for seven shots. In goal, Laura Nielson tallied six saves on the day.
"Winning championships and winning trophies, it's hard. It's hard to do. You've got to be good, and you've got to be consistent over a long period of time," said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky. "To be able to go 8-2 in the league and 5-1 in the East, you've got to go do it over time, and you've got to do it every day, and you've got to show up every day, and that's what our kids did. It starts with our leaders, and it's just hats off to this team."
Before the match, UT recognized Wrenne French, Ashley Gabor, Mackenzie Ostrom, Hannah Tillett and Brooke Wilson for their accomplishments on Rocky Top in a Senior Night ceremony.
George was the first to strike, driving the ball up the center of the field before shooting from inside the 18 to put UT ahead just over seven minutes into play.
Thomas scored in the 30th minute, volleying a shot into the back of the goal off a cross from Taylor Huff.
Bosco got two first-half shots on goal for the Wildcats, but Gabor was there for the saves, and UT took a 2-0 advantage into the break.
In the second half, Tennessee managed seven shots but was unable to find the net.
The Vols nearly added a third goal in the 76th minute when Brooke Wilson ran onto a flick from Cariel Ellis to break behind the Kentucky defense to go one-on-one with the UK keeper, but Nielsen was there to scoop up the ball after a touch went just a hair too long.
Kentucky countered, outshooting UT 8-7 in the second half and putting five of those on frame, but Gabor came up with the stop each time, and Tennessee closed out the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record at home.
UP NEXT: Tennessee will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 2 seed, playing at noon CT on Tuesday against the winner of Sunday's No. 7 vs. No. 10 matchup. The tournament is held in Orange Beach, Ala., and the matches will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
GEORGE HITTING HER STRIDE: Senior Mackenzie George has scored in three straight games, moving into fourth place in total goals with five.
TEN SHUTOUTS: With the win over Kentucky UT posted its 10th shutout of the season and inches closer to the single-season program record of 12.
BALANCED ATTACK: Jaida Thomas took the lead in total goals with her eighth of the season against Kentucky. She is one of four Vols who have scored 5+ goals on the season. Claudia Dipasupil and Taylor Huff each have seven, and Mackenzie Georgesits at five.
