Lady Vols Soccer ⚽️ Selection show: 4 p.m. ET Monday, Nov. 11 on NCAA.com

[MAD]

Our next opponent #18 Kentucky



The accolades continued to pour in for the Kentucky women’s soccer program on Tuesday as the Wildcats were selected as NCAA Soccer’s “Team of the Week” while also garnering a top-25 ranking from United Soccer Coaches for the first time since 2015.

The NCAA named the Kentucky women as their Team of the Week following the Cats’ 2-1 upset over No. 9 Alabama last Friday. The victory was the first SEC win for the Wildcats since 2021, their first over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 15 Arkansas in 2016, and their first over a top-10 team since taking down No. 5 Florida in 2014.

The Wildcats found themselves at No. 18 in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Poll, the first time the Cats have been ranked in the top-25 since they appeared at No. 20 in the USC rankings on Oct. 6, 2015. In other national rankings this week, Kentucky came in at No. 23 (Top Drawer Soccer) and No. 16 (College Soccer News).

Kentucky faces its next test this Thursday on the road at Tennessee. Match time is set for 7 p.m. with live streaming available on SECN+.

 

[MAD]

Newly Ranked Wildcats Head to Knoxville on Thursday​

LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 18 Kentucky women’s soccer (7-0-4, 1-0-3 SEC) plays its first match as a ranked team since 2015 when the Wildcats visit Tennessee (6-2-3, 1-1-2 SEC) this Thursday at the Regal Soccer Stadium. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and can be streamed live on SECN+.

The Wildcats are coming off an upset win over No. 9 Alabama last Friday, the program’s first SEC victory since 2021, their first over a ranked team since 2016 and first against a top-10 side since the 2014 season.

The night was highlighted by a record setting performance from Jordyn Rhodes who scored two goals to reach 45 total tallies for her collegiate career, becoming the new Kentucky record holder. Rhodes is tied for the SEC lead in goals with nine thus far this season, including two multigoal matches. The fifth year was selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this year this past Monday.

Kentucky’s upset victory over the Crimson Tide also marked the first win in conference action for second year head coach Troy Fabiano and led to the Wildcats appearing in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 this week. UK is unbeaten through its first 11 matches for just the second time in program history, the first coming back in 2005. Kentucky has never started a season with 12-straight results. The Cats are the last unbeaten team standing in the SEC and one of just nine sides without a loss in Division I.

Tennessee has drawn its last two matches entering Thursday, most recently erasing a three-goal deficit with 18 minutes remaining to take a point at Mississippi State. Sophomore Kameron Simmonds leads the team with six goals this year, while Ally Brown has a team-high four assists. Ally Zazzara (six starts) and Abby Reisz (five starts) have split time in net for the Vols.

Kentucky trails the all-time series vs. Tennessee 12-17-3, its last win against the Volunteers coming during the 2014 SEC Tournament. The Wildcats dropped a 4-1 contest to UT last season in Lexington with the two rivals last met.

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

Tennessee soccer needs to ‘get back to who we are’ against Kentucky​

Kameron Simmonds (9) dribbles the ball downfield in a win over Rashford. Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Ashley Jackson / Contributor
Tennessee soccer looks to return to winning ways when it faces No. 18 Kentucky on Thursday.

The Lady Vols (6-2-3, 1-1-2 SEC) completed their two-game road trip with draws against South Carolina and Mississippi State, while the Wildcats (7-0-4, 1-0-3 SEC) are coming off a win against Alabama, its first in conference play.


Against Mississippi State on Friday, Tennessee overcame a three-goal deficit with 20 minutes remaining to secure a draw. Head coach Joe Kirt believes that his team’s toughness was what allowed the Lady Vols to get a point.

“There’s a lot of little things that contribute to it in terms of our competitive fight and doing our job,” Kirt said. “I think that’s at the heart of it.”

Tennessee allowed a season-high 23 shots to the Bulldogs, but only five came on goal. As the Lady Vols have moved into conference play, their defense has not met the challenge of stronger opponents. Tennessee has allowed seven goals in four SEC games, which is more than they had been allowing over the non-conference portion of the schedule.

This was especially evident against South Carolina and Mississippi State, as the two combined for 42 shots across the two games.

“Both South Carolina and Mississippi State were pretty direct and put balls in behind us,” Kirt said. “Getting balls closer to goal allowed a few more shots than we would have liked.”

The strength of Kentucky’s offense is its consistency. The Wildcats average over 13 shots per game, but they have only scored 19 goals in their 11 games.



Jordyn Rhodes has scored nine times for Kentucky this season. In five seasons with the Wildcats, Rhodes has recorded 45 goals and is the career leader for her program. Kirt believes she will be a challenge to defend because of her ability.

“She’s similar to Jaida (Thomas),” Kirt said. “She’s really good in the box. She puts herself in great spots. She’s a physical presence. She has a knack for putting herself in some really good positions, and she can finish chances, certainly with her head.”

On defense, the Wildcats have only allowed five goals all season, but two goals came in their last two games. Because they allow so few opportunities, Tennessee’s priority will be focused on making the most of the chances it does get.

“I think we were impatient against Mississippi State,” Kirt said. “We got away from some of the things we like to do. We have got to be more patient in the final third. We rushed some chances.”

Kentucky averages 5.3 shots allowed per game while allowing 2.2 shots on goal. The Lady Vols have had trouble with their conversion rate all season, and Thursday’s game will be a test in this area.

Kameron Simmonds returned from her two-game absence to play for Jamaica against Mississippi State, but she did not record a shot in 65 minutes of play. Simmonds’ play could make more of an impact as she re-acclimates to playing for the Lady Vols.

Kirt believes that if his team can stay true to its identity, Tennessee should be able to get something from Thursday’s game.

“We have got to get back to who we are and what we’re about,” Kirt said. “I think if we can do that, we’re going to be fine.”

 

[MAD]

MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee vs. #18 Kentucky​

Tennessee is back home on Thursday after two games on the road, hosting No. 18 Kentucky in a 7 p.m. ET matchup in Regal Stadium.

In their last outing, the Lady Vols (6-2-3, 1-1-2 SEC) scored three second-half goals to erase a three-point deficit, playing Mississippi State to a 3-3 draw in Starkville on Friday. Graduate Sizzy Lawton and junior Jordan Fusco found the net for the Lady Vols (6-2-3, 1-1-2 SEC). A third goal was the result of an MSU own goal off a UT corner kick. Redshirt-freshman Abby Reisz made the start in goal, earning two saves on the night. Redshirt-sophomore Ally Zazzara took over in the second half but did not record a save.

The Wildcats (7-0-4, 1-0-3 SEC), who are still undefeated on the season, jumped into the United Soccer Coaches rankings this week following a 2-1 upset of ninth-ranked Alabama at home on Friday.

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:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Game (Pink Match)
• UTAD/SAAC's UNITY Game
• $1 Hot Dog night
• Food trucks: Gypsy Kitchen and Irvey's Ice Cream
• Raffle Prizes for Students
• Ultimate Frisbee Club at halftime

THE LAST TIME WE MET: The Lady Vols took a decisive 4-1 victory in Lexington on Sept. 25, 2022. Freshman Kameron Simmonds had a pair of goals, and redshirt-junior Jaida Thomas also put one in the net for Tennessee, while UT got a fourth by way of a Kentucky own goal.

VS THE WILDCATS: Tennessee's all-time record against UF is 17-12-3, with UT riding a two-game winning streak. When playing in Regal, the Lady Vols are 7-5-1.

SCOUTING KENTUCKY: UK was picked to finish 12th in the SEC as voted on by the league's coaches. Kentucky added 23 newcomers and returned 12 from the 2022 squad that finished 7-9-2. One of those returners is graduate student Jordyn Rhodes who, with a brace against #9 Alabama on Friday, became UK's all-time leading goal scorer with 45 career tallies.

VS RANKED TEAMS: The Lady Vols are 0-1-1 against ranked opponents this season, falling to No. 11 Arkansas (3-1) at home and drawing at No. 7 South Carolina (1-1).

IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY: Simmonds, who has tallied a team-leading six goals and two assists thus far in her sophomore campaign, would rank ninth in single-season program records for points per game (1.56) and tie for seventh in goals per game (.67).

THOMAS IN THE RECORD BOOK: Before suffering a season-ending injury, redshirt-senior Jaida Thomas moved her career total to 39 goals to trail UT's leading career scorer, Kylie Rossi, by just four goals. Thomas ammassed her 39 goals in just 59 games for a goals-per-game average of .66 to rank third all-time at Tennessee behind only Bunny Shaw (0.77) and Allison Campbell (0.70).

IN THEIR OFFENSIVE THIRD: On the season, UT has taken more than twice as many shots as its allowed, outshooting opponents 198-95, and taking 96 corner kicks while limiting the opposition to just 27. Tennessee currently ranks third in Division I in corner kicks per game (8.64) and ties at 19th in shots per game (18.0).

EVERYONE IS DANGEROUS: UT's 25 goals thus far have been scored by 10 different players. Freshmen Sarah Greiner, Kate Runyon (3) and Keaton Mitchell, sophomore Kameron Simmonds (6), juniors Jordan Fusco (3) and Nolyn Bartholomew, redshirt-seniors Maria Nelson (2) and Jaida Thomas, senior Lawson Renie and graduate Sizzy Lawton (4) have all found the back of the net for the Big Orange. Own goals by ETSU and MSU rounds out the total.

FRESHMEN CONTRIBUTING: All four of UT's active freshmen have recorded at least one goal or assist on the season. Forward Kate Runyon has made six starts, logging three goals and an assist. Fellow rookies Keaton Mitchell and Sarah Greiner have both tallied goals, and Linette Hofmann has started nine contests, recording an assist in the season opener against Cal.

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.

UP NEXT: Tennessee will return to the road, traveling to LSU for a 5 p.m. ET kick time on Sunday.

 

[MAD]

Congrats to LVFL Michelle Alozie

 

[turbovol]

We badly need a win tomorrow night. That means, first, playing better defensively--and to do that we're going to need
our starting centerbacks back. Kirt needs to start focusing now on finding/developing/building a more athletic and deeper back four.

In attack, as Kirt mentioned above, the team needs to possess the ball and stop constantly rushing long passes to forwards who are well-marked--it's just giving the ball back to our opponents. This is especially true of our back four, who against Miss. State did nothing but shoot passes downfield in the naive hope that our forwards were going to overpower two defenders to win the ball and then overpower another two defenders to get a shot off. Use the midfield and connect passes on the ground. UT players need better off-the-ball movement--there is too much standing around. It would nice to see Agresti get more active and show a bit of emotion on the field. Her positioning is usually sound but she plays too much like a China doll. Let's see some passion out there.

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

What a fantastic goal.

 

[MAD]

Hey @turbovol , was looking back at the 2018 roster, that team was loaded.

2018 Soccer Roster - University of Tennessee Athletics

The official 2018 Soccer Roster for the University of Tennessee Volunteers

utsports.com

 

[MAD]

 

[chuckiepoo]

What a fantastic goal.

Amazing. What. A. Shot.

 

[turbovol]

Hey @turbovol , was looking back at the 2018 roster, that team was loaded.

2018 Soccer Roster - University of Tennessee Athletics

The official 2018 Soccer Roster for the University of Tennessee Volunteers

utsports.com

Oh, our most talented team ever. We lost in the NCAA quarters to Stanford, at Stanford, 2-0. I think Stanford made the Final Four.

Bunny Shaw was a beast-- a big woman with suprisingly good athleticism and ball skills. She was the second best player in the country, in my view--only behind, maybe, Stanford's Macario, who won the Hermann Award for Best player.

Cousins was a starter on our U20 Women's National team--stud defensive mid, All SEC.

Gilroy was also a starter on our U20 Women's National Team (year after Cousins, I think)---amazing forward who blew out her knee (for the 2nd
time) in the late-season stomping of Texas A&M (might have been the last regular-season game) and missed the NCAA tourney. That injury ruined her almost certain pro career.

Marcano was an amazing athlete, very speedy, who developed late for us because Pensky stupidly didn't play her much as a freshman or sophomore. Don't ask me why, but I would assert that that was the dumbest mistake he ever made. I mean, she was raw as a freshman/soph--but everybody is. You only build and polish your game by playing. She only really started to show what she could do late in her junior season--and in particular in our NCAA game against Washington State. She scored two goals in that game, which we ended up losing on penalty kicks--and then had a strong senior season.

Bialczak was a super athletic central midfielder. Didn't have the best ball skills but was a very important player for us and that team. She wanted to play pro soccer but not sure if she ever did. Worth checking. She should be playing pro soccer--good size and extremely athletic.

Neal was yet another outstanding athlete--and strong. She came in as a forward but Pensky talked her into becoming a centerback. If not playing Marcano enough early in her career was one of Pensky's dumbest decisions, converting Neal to centerback was one of his best. Neal made all SEC twice as a centerback, largely because of her athleticism and strong body. She was not, in truth, a truly good centerback: Her ball skills were not good---she was not a good passer, at all, and she would be caught out of position a lot, but with her speed always managed to recover. and make the needed defensive stops. She was on our track team--a pentathlete--and so never trained with the soccer team in the spring. That hurt her development as a soccer player. She was really more great athlete than great soccer player--but she WAS a key player on that team. Played professionally for a bad team in the French league, then sat out a year or two and now apparently is playing again in Iceland.

Like Renie, Gouner was another forward who was converted to centerback and became Neal's partner. Good size and another of the many good athletes on that team. Became quite a solid centerback.

Vignola---super-athletic outside back. Perfect combination of qualities you want at that position--good size, very athletic, speedy, good ball skills, could shoot it.

O'Keefe was a three-year starter in the midfield. Slight build but excellent work rate. Very dependable.

Flynn, out of northern Virginia, played a lot as a winger and was a good player. A left-footer who scored some key goals for us in her career.

French played outside back that year, I recall. Solid player. Didn't have Vignola's athletic package, but did well enough.

Paige Franks was a 4-star recruit--a center mid who never got to play center mid at Tennessee, partly because we had good talent ahead of her. Pensky tried her at positions for which she was not well suited and she transferred after 2 years. That was frustrating for her and for me, as a fan, because I'd seen her play in Virginia a couple of times and she was good. Her sister, Claire, ended up starting as a center mid for us in either 2019 or 2020--after this group had largely graduated--but was not a standout.

Just remembering this group and their qualities---so many good athletes-- makes clear that we need more and better athletes going forward--especially on defense. We have talent issues defensively right now. Kirt needs to address this if he wants to have a better team next year because we should be talented in the midfield and at forward.

 

[MAD]

Congrats to LVFL M.A. Vignola

Angel City Extends Contract with Defender M.A. Vignola​

10.05.23
Today, Angel City announced that defender M.A. Vignola has agreed to a contract extension through the end of the 2025 NWSL Season. Vignola, the third player to be named to the inaugural roster in 2021, joined the club via a trade with the Washington Spirit.
“I am so excited about my new contract and the opportunity to continue this journey. The coaching staff has helped me come out of my shell on and off the field,” said Vignola. “Angel City feels like home. There is no other fan base like ours. Getting to play in front of sellout crowds brings unbelievable energy, and it is a huge part of who we are and what it means to play here. On a personal level, I want to continue to improve my consistency of play and do everything I can to help the team win on and off the field.”
“We are thrilled that M.A. will continue her career at Angel City,” said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “We know that we haven’t seen nearly all that M.A. can do on the pitch, and we look forward to seeing her progress on her pro soccer journey. Her tenacity combined with her positive attitude and energy truly makes her a key part of the squad.”
Vignola, who recently earned her first U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) cap in her hometown of Cincinnati on September 21 against South Africa, has appeared in 21 total matches in all competitions for ACFC. Since returning from an injury at the end of the club’s inaugural season, Vignola has clocked 1,195 total minutes on the pitch, scoring her first two career goals in the 2023 NWSL regular season.
A standout at the University of Tennessee, Vignola started for the Volunteers from 2016–2019, recording 14 goals and 13 assists in 57 career games. In her junior and senior seasons, she was named to the All-SEC and United Coaches All-Region teams. Vignola also competed in Iceland for the Icelandic Women’s Football league clubs Thróttur FC and Valur before being signed by the Washington Spirit.

 

[MAD]

Oh, our most talented team ever. We lost in the NCAA quarters to Stanford, at Stanford, 2-0. I think Stanford made the Final Four.

Bunny Shaw was a beast-- a big woman with suprisingly good athleticism and ball skills. She was the second best player in the country, in my view--only behind, maybe, Stanford's Macario, who won the Hermann Award for Best player.

Cousins was a starter on our U20 Women's National team--stud defensive mid, All SEC.

Gilroy was also a starter on our U20 Women's National Team (year after Cousins, I think)---amazing forward who blew out her knee (for the 2nd
time) in the late-season stomping of Texas A&M (might have been the last regular-season game) and missed the NCAA tourney. That injury ruined her almost certain pro career.

Marcano was an amazing athlete, very speedy, who developed late for us because Pensky stupidly didn't play her much as a freshman or sophomore. Don't ask me why, but I would assert that that was the dumbest mistake he ever made. I mean, she was raw as a freshman/soph--but everybody is. You only build and polish your game by playing. She only really started to show what she could do late in her junior season--and in particular in our NCAA game against Washington State. She scored two goals in that game, which we ended up losing on penalty kicks--and then had a strong senior season.

Bialczak was a super athletic central midfielder. Didn't have the best ball skills but was a very important player for us and that team. She wanted to play pro soccer but not sure if she ever did. Worth checking. She should be playing pro soccer--good size and extremely athletic.

Neal was yet another outstanding athlete--and strong. She came in as a forward but Pensky talked her into becoming a centerback. If not playing Marcano enough early in her career was one of Pensky's dumbest decisions, converting Neal to centerback was one of his best. Neal made all SEC twice as a centerback, largely because of her athleticism and strong body. She was not, in truth, a truly good centerback: Her ball skills were not good---she was not a good passer, at all, and she would be caught out of position a lot, but with her speed always managed to recover. and make the needed defensive stops. She was on our track team--a pentathlete--and so never trained with the soccer team in the spring. That hurt her development as a soccer player. She was really more great athlete than great soccer player--but she WAS a key player on that team. Played professionally for a bad team in the French league, then sat out a year or two and now apparently is playing again in Iceland.

Like Renie, Gouner was another forward who was converted to centerback and became Neal's partner. Good size and another of the many good athletes on that team. Became quite a solid centerback.

Vignola---super-athletic outside back. Perfect combination of qualities you want at that position--good size, very athletic, speedy, good ball skills, could shoot it.

O'Keefe was a three-year starter in the midfield. Slight build but excellent work rate. Very dependable.

Flynn, out of northern Virginia, played a lot as a winger and was a good player. A left-footer who scored some key goals for us in her career.

French played outside back that year, I recall. Solid player. Didn't have Vignola's athletic package, but did well enough.

Paige Franks was a 4-star recruit--a center mid who never got to play center mid at Tennessee, partly because we had good talent ahead of her. Pensky tried her at positions for which she was not well suited and she transferred after 2 years. That was frustrating for her and for me, as a fan, because I'd seen her play in Virginia a couple of times and she was good. Her sister, Claire, ended up starting as a center mid for us in either 2019 or 2020--after this group had largely graduated--but was not a standout.

Just remembering this group and their qualities---so many good athletes-- makes clear that we need more and better athletes going forward--especially on defense. We have talent issues defensively right now. Kirt needs to address this if he wants to have a better team next year because we should be talented in the midfield and at forward.

Excellent write up, wow, you have an incredible memory too.

 

[turbovol]

Excellent write up, wow, you have an incredible memory too.

It's easier to remember the really good teams! I literally started following Vol soccer the year Pensky was named the new coach. We were talent poor, and it was a long, slow climb to a become a strong program. Even as competitive as the SEC is, UT has the potential to be top 10/15 in every sport. It's a matter of having top-quality coaches. We'll see if Kirt can get it done. I hope he can.

 

[chuckiepoo]

It's easier to remember the really good teams! I literally started following Vol soccer the year Pensky was named the new coach. We were talent poor, and it was a long, slow climb to a become a strong program. Even as competitive as the SEC is, UT has the potential to be top 10/15 in every sport. It's a matter of having top-quality coaches. We'll see if Kirt can get it done. I hope he can.

Brian Pensky - Soccer Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics

THE PENSKY FILE Coaching Experience 2012-2021: Tennessee, Women's Soccer Head Coach 2005-2011: Maryland, Women's Soccer Head Coach 2002-2004: Maryland,

utsports.com

How did we let this guy slip away? This occurred under the current AD and leadership, didn’t it?

 

[MAD]

Brian Pensky - Soccer Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics

THE PENSKY FILE Coaching Experience 2012-2021: Tennessee, Women's Soccer Head Coach 2005-2011: Maryland, Women's Soccer Head Coach 2002-2004: Maryland,

utsports.com

How did we let this guy slip away? This occurred under the current AD and leadership, didn’t it?

As shocking as Kiffin leaving for people who follow Tennessee soccer.

 

[chuckiepoo]

As shocking as Kiffin leaving for people who follow Tennessee soccer.

So he got hired away. Pretty sure he (AD DW) knew who to consult regarding soccer expertise. Wonder if it was a money or relational issue. I guess it may have been a blend of things. He went to FSU.

“Contingent on the successful completion of a background check, Pensky takes over an FSU program that will be defending National Champions in 2022 and has reached the national title game in three of the last four seasons.”

…strange they should mention that.

Florida State Names Brian Pensky New Women’s Soccer Coach

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) - Florida State Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford named Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky as FSU women’s soccer head coach on Monday. Pensky, who led the Volunteers to the 2021 SEC Championship, and has won National, ACC and SEC Coach of...

theacc.com

 

[MAD]

So he got hired away. Pretty sure he (AD DW) knew who to consult regarding soccer expertise. Wonder if it was a money or relational issue. I guess it may have been a blend of things. He went to FSU.

“Contingent on the successful completion of a background check, Pensky takes over an FSU program that will be defending National Champions in 2022 and has reached the national title game in three of the last four seasons.”

…strange they should mention that.

Florida State Names Brian Pensky New Women’s Soccer Coach

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) - Florida State Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford named Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky as FSU women’s soccer head coach on Monday. Pensky, who led the Volunteers to the 2021 SEC Championship, and has won National, ACC and SEC Coach of...

theacc.com

FSU soccer is like Alabama football. I don’t blame Pensky for taking the job when offered, you don’t pass up a chance like that. On the other hand, I think it would mean so much more had he stayed and continued to build the program a la Tony Vitello.

 

[MAD]

 

[turbovol]

Still no Renie, after 2 weeks? Good grief....

 

[turbovol]

Did we really NOT start Lawton tonight? She's been one of UT's best players consistently this year. Dumb.

When I say coaches have to be proactive, here's what I mean: Washington was never going to be a good midfielder. Had the coaches
switched her to centerback early in her career, maybe--and I emphasize that word--she could have become a decent centerback. Didn't happen.

 

[kregman]

Well it appears we cannot breathe on Kentucky tonight. Two big flops by them also.