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Tennessee soccer falls to Mississippi State in double overtime to end SEC Tournament run
- Tyler Edmands, Contributor
Although the loss will send Tennessee home from the SEC Tournament, there’s still a chance to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s a look at how the Tuesday night thriller shook out.
Own goal ties it in the second half
Needing life, Tennessee received help from an own goal in the second half to knot the score at 1-1.
On Tennessee’s sixth corner kick of the night, Ally Brown charged the back post and found the ball in front of her. She bumped it toward the goal and it bounced off multiple defenders before finding the back of the net.
The goal tied the game at 1-1. Although Brown deflected it, it was officially credited an own goal by Mississippi State. It would have been Brown’s second goal of the season and her career.
Strong second-half forces overtime
Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt came out of the locker room before the second half for an interview with the SEC Network. He mentioned that he liked what he saw, but he wanted to see more aggression —- which resonated with the Lady Vols.
Tennessee dominated the second half, taking six more shots than the Bulldogs and nine more corner kicks en route to tying the match.
Extra time at the SEC Tournament
Since the NCAA eliminated overtime in the regular season after 2022, this was both teams’ first taste of overtime this season.
The Lady Vols and the Bulldogs remained in a stalemate through the first overtime period. Mississippi State took the upper hand, notching three more shots and two more corner kicks than the Lady Vols.
Tennessee nearly clinched the game in the 98th minute with a Mac Midgley place kick. Sammi Woods drew a penalty on goalie Maddy Anderson to give the Lady Vols a shot. Midgley was given the kick attempt but could not put it through.
Anderson’s crucial save gave the Bulldogs a breath of life, which they quickly capitalized on.
Just 11 seconds into the second overtime, Mississippi State delivered the fatal blow, netting a quick goal that ended Tennessee’s SEC Tournament dreams.
The road ahead
Although Tennessee’s SEC Championship run is over, the season may still be alive.
Since the Lady Vols didn’t secure an automatic bid, their season will fall at the hands of the NCAA when it announces the remaining seeds on Monday evening.
Tennessee entered the day ranked No. 39 in the RPI, a spot it should maintain following the loss.
The Lady Vols will be glued to the television on Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. ET when the NCAA Selection show airs. Although the Lady Vols aren’t guaranteed a spot, there is a good chance they make the cut.
