No. 12 Vols Take Down Gators, 2-0
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12 Tennessee picked up its fourth straight SEC win on Thursday, defeating Florida in Regal Soccer Stadium, 2-0.
The victory extended UT's win streak over the Gators to four, dating back to 2018, which is the longest stretch in program history.
Junior
Claudia Dipasupil and freshman
Jordan Fusco found the net for Tennessee (11-1-0, 4-1 SEC). In goal, junior
Lindsey Romig made three saves to record her seventh clean sheet of the season. The Vols were dominant offensively, maintaining possession for 64 percent of the game, outshooting the Gators 25-6, and taking 14 corner kicks while limiting UF to two.
Shaye Seyffart had the best chances for Florida (3-7-3, 2-2-1 SEC), getting off four shots, two of which were on frame. UF keeper Alexa Goldberg came up with six saves on the day.
"This (win) was big. Obviously, all the points you can get are important overall in the league and then within the SEC East. It's the first time we've beaten Florida four times in a row, so it's a big achievement for all the kids in that locker room," said Tennessee head coach
Brian Pensky.
"I think our confidence just continues to grow with each game. Tonight was the first night in SEC play where we scored first, so that's kind of a big deal. In our first three SEC wins we had to come from behind. It's also our first SEC shutout. Hopefully those two things can build our confidence going into a very difficult place to play (at No. 19 South Carolina) against a very, very good team on Sunday."
The match against Florida was UT's annual Pink Night in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the team donned pink uniforms for the occasion. Kickoff was slated for 7 p.m. ET but was delayed to 7:30 p.m. due to inclement weather. There were periods of driving rain throughout the match.
Tennessee outshot the Gators 14-3 in the first half, with Dipasupil putting one in the side net on a penalty kick at the 20-minute mark to give the Vols a 1-0 lead at the half. Freshman
Taylor Huff drew the foul that led to the penalty.
Fusco found the goal six and a half minutes into the second half, one-touching a pass from
Jaida Thomas into the top right corner of the net from 15 yards out.
Taylor Baksay got a shot on frame in the 81st minute for the Gators, but Romig was there to make the save, securing the shutout for UT.
UP NEXT: Tennessee travels to Columbia on Sunday for a 2 p.m. matchup with No. 19 South Carolina. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
DIPASUPIL TAKES THE LEAD: With a goal and an assist against Florida, junior
Claudia Dipasupil took the lead in total points with 17. She has six goals and five assists on the season.
TRIPLE THREAT:
Taylor Huff,
Jaida Thomas, and
Claudia Dipasupil are in a three-way tie for most goals scored, each with six.
SECOND HALF TEAM: Tennessee has outscored opponents 23-3 after halftime, has scored seven goals during the final 10 minutes of regulation and has landed two golden goals this season.