Tennessee soccer falls to Georgia despite early goal
A goal within 30 seconds for Tennessee soccer ultimately wasn’t enough as the Lady Vols fell short against the Bulldogs 2-1.
Tennessee (6-4-4, 1-3-3 SEC) played well in what was a hotly contested game against top of the division Georgia (7-3-4, 3-2-2 SEC), but once again fell short.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s loss.
Electrifying Start
Friday night’s game between SEC East foes began frantically as each team found the back of the net in the opening moments.
The Lady Vols fired in first, as a powerful Jordan Fusco run resulted in a through ball to Kate Runyon. In a one on one with the keeper, the freshman forward slotted home her fourth goal of the season just 20 seconds into the game. The assist from Fusco highlighted just how much her playmaking ability was missed in the game against LSU.
“I think I really let the team down,” Fusco said. “Getting the red card and not being able to play Sunday, so I definitely wanted to come out and try to make the most of it.”
However, the Tennessee lead was short lasting. Georgia found itself immediately back in the game as a curled shot from Hannah White found the top corner for her fourth goal of the season.
White’s distance from effort was picture perfect, leaving Tennessee goalkeeper Abby Reisz with little chance. The rest of the first half was stark in contrast to the opening minutes as each team looked relatively cagey.
Georgia registered five chances to the Lady Vols’ four and largely had the better opportunities. However, neither team was able to capitalize on their opportunities after the opening minutes.
Lady Vols struggling as SEC tournament looms
Back to back losses for the Lady Vols has them sitting outside the SEC tournament spots.
Tennessee was in 11th place in the SEC before tonight's game, just outside of the top ten spots that qualify for the tournament. Georgia came into the game first in the SEC, despite being only seventh in the SEC overall standings.
Although the game was tightly contested throughout, Tennessee once again was unable to secure a much needed victory.
“I’m incredibly disappointed in the result,” head coach Joe Kirt said. “Because our team left it out there and they continued to fight for 90 minutes.”
The loss tonight puts the Lady Vols at five games without a win. The results haven’t been all bad in this period with a massive comeback against Mississippi State and a hard fought point against a ranked Kentucky team.
However, Tennessee simply hasn’t been able to win games.
For much of the season, the focus has been on the lack of finishing prowess for the Lady Vols. However, Georgia was largely able to stifle the vols creative influences and limited major chances for Tennessee.
Fusco was influential early but waned as the game went on. Mac Midgley was similarly energetic and influential throughout the first half, but like her midfield partner Fusco, began to fade, especially once moved to a deeper position.
Both of Tennessee’s performances against both LSU and Georgia started with extreme promise.
However, the team as a whole seemed to fade in both games and slowly allowed for their opponents to become more prominent in the attacking third.
An injury to star forward Kameron Simmonds in the first half only served to exacerbate the issues for the Lady Vols.
Goalkeeper Dilemma
In every game so far in the Lady Vols season, the goalkeepers have split time. The typical rotation has been one half for Reisz and the other Ally Zazzara, the senior keeper.
Both have been in largely excellent form, with Reisz allowing seven goals this season to Zazzara’s ten. However, Zazzara boasts a slightly higher save percentage.
The goalkeeper tandem has made crucial saves at times, while avoiding many major mistakes.
A hot goalkeeper could be essential for a deep run in the SEC tournament if Tennessee is able to qualify. However, Kirt still has no intentions to decide on a number one anytime soon.
“Both of them are doing well,” Kirt said. “Managing the game and making plays, not much either could do on the goals.”
Reisz and Zazzara are both likely to feature again in the Lady Vols upcoming away game as Tennessee travels to Missouri for their third to
final regular season game.
Tennessee soccer loses to Georgia 2-1, winless streak extends to five games
After scoring just 20 seconds into the game, Tennessee soccer allowed two goals in a 2-1 loss to Georgia.
The Lady Vols (6-4-4, 1-3-3 SEC) have not won in their last five games and are on a two-game losing streak. The Bulldogs (7-3-4, 3-2-2) extend their lead in the SEC East.
“I’m incredibly disappointed in the result because our team left it out there and they continue to fight for 90 minutes,” head coach Joe Kirt said. “We’ve got a lot left to play for.”
After her one-game suspension due to a red card, Jordan Fusco made an immediate impact on the game. She made a massive run and played a through ball to Kate Runyon, who put her shot off the post for her fourth goal of the season just 20 seconds into the game.
“It was a great way to start the game,” Fusco said. “I picked up the ball in midfield and just dribbled. Kate made a great run, and I just laid it off to her and she did what she needed to do.”
However, the Bulldogs struck back within a minute. Hannah White curled a shot from just inside the box past Abby Reisz to level the game. Just two minutes into the contest, each team had its opening goal.
“They put it in the corner, and then she comes inside and hits a pretty good shot to the top corner,” Kirt said. “We have got to defend that a little bit better.”
Tennessee’s next big chance came in the 11th minute, but Kameron Simmonds could not get a clean touch on Fusco’s free kick. Fusco tried from distance a minute later, but Jordan Brown saved her attempt at goal. Both teams got a few more chances, but neither were able to put another shot on target in the first half.
Kirt wishes his team played with a bit more urgency at times in the first half.
“There’s moments where we can catch them in transition, but the game got really stretched at times,” Kirt said. “We’ve got to be able to slow down and keep it.”
The Lady Vols began the second half in control, with Fusco forcing Brown to make a save four minutes into the half. The next big chance went to Georgia in the 58th minute, as Croix Bethune got a light touch on an aerial ball towards goal. Ally Zazzara was able to keep it out with her first save since coming on for the second half.
Georgia took the lead in the 73rd minute as Summer Denigan’s shot found its way past Zazzara after an assist from Mallie McKenzie. As they had many times before, the Lady Vols found themselves playing from behind.
Even though they were able to create a few more chances, the Lady Vols could not find the equalizer in the time remaining. Fusco and Runyon each got one shot away.
“I definitely played higher towards the end of the game, which is something you have to do when you’re down a goal,” Fusco said.
With the loss, Tennessee will remain on the outside of the 10 teams that earn spots in the SEC tournament at the end of the regular season. Wins will be incredibly important for the Lady Vols with just three games remaining.
“Ultimately, it comes down to what we do in both boxes,” Kirt said. “Their keeper made some plays. Ally and Abby did a good job, but we need to make one or two more.”
