Sammi Woods scores first goal with Tennessee soccer in win over Chattanooga
Sammi Woods didn’t see her impact show up on the score sheet in her first game with Tennessee soccer, but it did in the second.
With just 14 seconds to go, Woods fired a shot from distance, sealing Tennessee’s 2-0 win over Chattanooga, the first of the season. Woods still tried to spark Tennessee’s attack in Thursday’s loss to Indiana, but the Lady Vols couldn’t find her. On Sunday, that facet of play improved.
“It goes back to us having the ball and the more we have the ball, the more it allows her and Mac (Midgley) to find spaces and put themselves in good spots,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “And I think that’s the difference.”
Tennessee did well to generate chances in the first half, firing 10 shots at the Mocs. Only three reached the target, however, with all three being stopped by Chattanooga’s goalkeeper. The Lady Vols had 65% of the ball and were putting Chattanooga under pressure, but they couldn’t convert that to a halftime lead.
At the halftime break, the Lady Vols didn’t get frustrated. They pushed forward, improving in small areas that allowed them to progress into the game and win.
“We’ve got to be good in both boxes and had certainly more than enough opportunities in the first half, but a little bit of quality on the service and then our organization in the box,” Kirt said. “I think we were better in the second half with that. Didn’t get a goal off it, but I think we were.”
Tennessee’s continued pressure forced Chattanooga into an error, giving the Lady Vols the lead on an own goal. In the final minute, Woods put the finishing touch on a 2-0 win.
With scoring came the honor of receiving Tennessee’s new goal-scoring chain, a prize she celebrated after the game. It’s all part of the culture Tennessee soccer looks to build in the 2024 season.
“I’ve been welcomed very well by a great group as you can see,” Woods said. “It’s something new and it’s different for sure, but I’ve loved every step of it.”
In Kirt’s third season, the program is developing more under his watch than the previous head coach, Brian Pensky. Kirt led a major overhaul of the roster this offseason, bringing in seven transfers and signing 10 freshmen.
Tennessee has high expectations for the 2024 season, but those results take time and effort. Woods, along with her teammates, are trying to start getting strong results now.
“Half of our team is new, whether that’s incoming freshmen or transfers like myself,” Woods said. “So learning how to gel with each other. I think we’re getting those tendencies with every training.”
As the Lady Vols play more games and go through more drills, they will come closer together. Those results will eventually be reflected on the field as Tennessee continues to improve as the season moves along.
Woods came into an inexperienced team looking to bring together freshmen, transfers and returning players. While she wants to be a leadership voice in the dressing room, Woods also finds importance in listening to veteran Tennessee players, such as Jaida Thomas.
“I think with age it comes, but I’ve had a lot of experience with it,” Woods said. “I think it’s again, finding that balance of coming and bringing a ... level of expertise, age and wisdom but at the same time listening and still learning from those who have been here for a while.”