⚽️Lady Vols Soccer Thread

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Tennessee soccer enters congested stretch, prepares for No. 6 Arkansas​

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Head coach Joe Kirt takes the field for a match against Lipscomb at Regal Soccer Stadium. Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.
Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Fall break marked Tennessee soccer’s only period of rest through the rest of the regular season.

The Lady Vols took two days off from training this week to go along with two days off for class Fall Break as they prepare for their final six games, which come in a span of just 21 days.

“It’s a really congested time,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “So just letting them step away and get what they need individually is what we wanted to do for this little stretch.”


Tennessee has its two toughest opponents this season in its next two matches. On Thursday, the Lady Vols will travel to No. 6 Arkansas before returning home to face No. 14 Auburn three days later. They finish the season with away games at Kentucky and Florida before potentially starting the SEC Tournament just four days later.

For that reason, earning a first-round bye — and the two extra days of rest that come with it — could prove vital for the Lady Vols to accomplish their goal of a conference championship. For that to happen, Tennessee needs to put together six strong performances as the season continues.

“Finishing in the top four is the level that we expect to be at and where we want to be,” Kirt said. “We’re in a great place to do that, but we have got to get some results here in these last games.”

Tennessee currently sits tied with Georgia for fifth in the SEC, one point behind fourth-place Texas A&M. The Lady Vols have played one less match than the Bulldogs and Aggies due to a weather postponement, so there is plenty of room for Tennessee to improve its league position.

A look at the Razorbacks


After entering last week as the No. 1 team, Arkansas lost its first match of the season, dropping a 1-0 result to now-No. 4 Mississippi State. This week, the Razorbacks sit as the No. 6 team in the country and have won eight of their last nine contests.

Arkansas scores goals — lots of goals. The Razorbacks have scored more goals than any team in the country this season with 48 goals in 11 games, good for an average of 4.36 goals per match. The Razorbacks constantly put the ball in dangerous areas, something Kirt specifically targets as a point of emphasis.

“It’s a similar game to what we played against Indiana stylistically,” Kirt said. “They have a long throw and they want to get the ball as often as possible into the opposition’s box and make it difficult to clear your lines.”

Seventeen different Arkansas players have scored this year, and three players have scored seven or more goals for the Razorbacks. Tennessee will have to battle both the depth of its opponent and Arkansas’ strongest players.

The Razorbacks are not as strong defensively, ranking seventh in the SEC in goals allowed. However, Arkansas has only allowed three goals in its five SEC contests so far this season.

For Tennessee, scoring against the Razorbacks will have to come in specific moments. That requires precision and timeliness in the attack, a skill that led the Lady Vols to wins over Memphis and Vanderbilt this season.

“We have got to be able to punish them for some of the spaces that they leave unprotected and be able to get to goal and put pressure on them,” Kirt said. “So I think that’s the other side of it. You have got to certainly manage your opposition and try to take away what they do well, and you have to find the opportunities for us to do well.”
 
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MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee at #6 Arkansas​

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Tennessee soccer team heads west to No. 6 Arkansas for a 7:30 pm ET Thursday matchup.

Tennessee (7-1-3) has gone unbeaten in its last 10 matches and is coming off a 1-0 win over Missouri.

Redshirt senior Jaida Thomas secured the win for the Lady Vols thanks to a 20th minute goal, which marked the 40th of her career. Thomas is only one of two Volunteers to bag 40 goals in her collegiate career and currently sits second all-time in program history behind Kylee Rossi (43).

TRACKING THOMAS: Thomas, who is in her final season on Rocky Top, currently ranks second on Tennessee's all-time goals list with 40 and sits just three back of Kylee Rossi's program-best 43. Thomas recorded her first goal of the season and 40th career goal in the 21st minute against Missouri. The three-time All-SEC player and 2021 All-American appeared in just two matches last season before suffering a season-ending injury. During the 2022 season, Thomas scored 13 goals and posted the best goals-per-game average in the SEC at .68.

SAMMI IN THE ORANGE: Graduate transer Sammi Woods has made an impact in her sole season on Rocky Top so far. The Saline, Michigan, native currently leads the team in goals (4), shots (20) and shots on goal (10).

ALLY BROWN HOLDIN' IT DOWN: Through UT's 11 matches, junior Ally Brown has been an impactful and consistent force. The Brentwood Tennessee, native has played a team-leading 979 minutes while also recording a goal and two assists. Last match against Missouri, Brown assisted on the game-winner to Thomas. Additionally, the defender has been a mainstay on the defensive side of the ball and aided in UT's seven clean sheets on the year.

DEFENDING THE NET: Redshirt junior goalkeeper Ally Zazzara earned her 100th career save during Tennessee's 1-1 tie against Vanderbilt and recorded a season-high 11 saves in the match. Additionally, the Woodstock, Georgia, native has posted seven shutouts.

SCOUTING ARKANSAS: Arkansas (9-1-1) currently co-leads the SEC with 12 conference points. The Razorbacks also lead the NCAA in goals (48), assists (53) and total points (149). Ava Tanksersley and Kate Doyle lead Arkansas with eight goals on the year as Tankersley also has a team-high seven assists. Defensively, the Razorbacks hold a 0.73 goals-against average and have posted six clean sheets.

MATCHUP HISTORY: Tennessee is 14-7-1 all-time against Arkansas and hold a 7-2-1 away record against the conference foe. In 2021, UT defeated the Razorbacks 3-0 to win the SEC Tournament.
 
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It’s no surprise that @aebrown_17 was named to @TopDrawerSoccer's Midseason Top 100⤵️

- A mainstay for the Tennessee defense that’s produced seven clean sheets
- 89 minutes per game (979 total minutes)
- Three goal contributions (1 goal, 2 assists)
#GBO 🍊

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