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Daily Beacon
The Lady Vols celebrate after scoring against FAU at Regal Soccer Stadium. Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024
Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee soccer returns to the win column after its tie with UCLA, knocking off the Florida Atlantic Owls, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Vols (4-1-1) set the tone early, scoring their first goal of the night just three minutes into the contest to defeat FAU (0-4-2).
Here are some takeaways from the win.
First Five
Tennessee started the game aggressively. Mac Midgley found the back of the net for the second time this season, knocking in a pass from Kate Runyon and Reese Mattern to set the Lady Vols up 1-0 just three minutes into the game.
“From the start, we want to attack straight away,” Midgley said. “We were definitely down their throat for the first five.”
Despite opening fast, Tennessee quickly slowed down the pace.
Although Tennessee controlled the ball for 58% of the first half, it couldn’t capitalize on the rest of its opportunities, managing only two shots. Midgley’s goal stood as the only Tennessee shot on goal as well.
“It’s within them to execute for 90 minutes,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “We came on and did it for about 50 minutes. We took about 40 minutes off in the first half, but we responded well in the second half.”
Zazzara continues impressive streak
Tennessee goalie Ally Zazzara extended her shutout streak to five straight games. She made an incredible save in the first half, taking the ball off of a FAU player’s foot in the box to prevent a score.
She finished the game with two saves, bringing her season total to 13, including 12 consecutive saves.
Tennessee finishes strong
After the first half, Tennessee and FAU were knotted up in the stat sheet, tied at three shots each, as well as only one shot on goal for both teams.
In the second half, the Lady Vols came out rejuvenated and controlled the game. Tennessee tallied 13 shots in the final 45 minutes, compared to the Owls’ 2. Four Lady Vol shots were on goal, including Sammi Woods’ goal in the 68th minute.
“Sundays are always hard, especially against a team that didn’t play Thursday,” Kirt said. “There’s a standard for ourselves, and we showed it in the second half. It comes down to whether we are willing to do all the things for 90 minutes, or do we feel like we can cut corners?”
Woods seals the victory
Woods doubled Tennessee’s lead in the 68th minute. Finding the ball after a ricochet off the right upright, she slotted it in, making the final score 2-0.
This put her on the scoreboard for the second time this season, and her first time since the Lady Vols' home opener against Chattanooga on Aug. 18.
Woods tallied four shots in the game, with the only shot on target being the goal.
“I’m trying to focus on executing my role,” Woods said. “A goal in there is great. Being gritty and being hungry to get those goals is a mentality we’re trying to preach.”
Tennessee soccer starts strong, defeats FAU 2-0
- Tyler Edmands, Contributor
The Lady Vols celebrate after scoring against FAU at Regal Soccer Stadium. Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024
Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee soccer returns to the win column after its tie with UCLA, knocking off the Florida Atlantic Owls, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Vols (4-1-1) set the tone early, scoring their first goal of the night just three minutes into the contest to defeat FAU (0-4-2).
Here are some takeaways from the win.
First Five
Tennessee started the game aggressively. Mac Midgley found the back of the net for the second time this season, knocking in a pass from Kate Runyon and Reese Mattern to set the Lady Vols up 1-0 just three minutes into the game.
“From the start, we want to attack straight away,” Midgley said. “We were definitely down their throat for the first five.”
Despite opening fast, Tennessee quickly slowed down the pace.
Although Tennessee controlled the ball for 58% of the first half, it couldn’t capitalize on the rest of its opportunities, managing only two shots. Midgley’s goal stood as the only Tennessee shot on goal as well.
“It’s within them to execute for 90 minutes,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “We came on and did it for about 50 minutes. We took about 40 minutes off in the first half, but we responded well in the second half.”
Zazzara continues impressive streak
Tennessee goalie Ally Zazzara extended her shutout streak to five straight games. She made an incredible save in the first half, taking the ball off of a FAU player’s foot in the box to prevent a score.
She finished the game with two saves, bringing her season total to 13, including 12 consecutive saves.
Tennessee finishes strong
After the first half, Tennessee and FAU were knotted up in the stat sheet, tied at three shots each, as well as only one shot on goal for both teams.
In the second half, the Lady Vols came out rejuvenated and controlled the game. Tennessee tallied 13 shots in the final 45 minutes, compared to the Owls’ 2. Four Lady Vol shots were on goal, including Sammi Woods’ goal in the 68th minute.
“Sundays are always hard, especially against a team that didn’t play Thursday,” Kirt said. “There’s a standard for ourselves, and we showed it in the second half. It comes down to whether we are willing to do all the things for 90 minutes, or do we feel like we can cut corners?”
Woods seals the victory
Woods doubled Tennessee’s lead in the 68th minute. Finding the ball after a ricochet off the right upright, she slotted it in, making the final score 2-0.
This put her on the scoreboard for the second time this season, and her first time since the Lady Vols' home opener against Chattanooga on Aug. 18.
Woods tallied four shots in the game, with the only shot on target being the goal.
“I’m trying to focus on executing my role,” Woods said. “A goal in there is great. Being gritty and being hungry to get those goals is a mentality we’re trying to preach.”
