Lady Vols Soccer ⚽️ SEC TOURNAMENT 11/3-11/10

[kregman]

Add set pieces and corner kicks to work on for next year.

 

[MAD]

Wasn't the ending we wanted, but it was a season to be proud of.

 

[Volfan2012]

Tough loss today congrats to the Tennessee Lady Vol soccer team on a great season.

 

[MAD]

No. 6 Vols Fall To No. 9 UM In NCAA Round of 16, 3-0



ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 6 Tennessee's record-breaking season came to an end in the NCAA Round of 16 on Sunday as the Vols fell to the host team, #9 Michigan, 3-0.

With a record of 20-3-0, this squad finishes the season as UT's winningest team in program history, having claimed an SEC East Division title and UT's first SEC Tournament Championship since 2008. They also set new single-season records for longest shutout streak (633:53) and total shutouts (13).

"Congratulations to Michigan. They're a great team. Their shape and their movements obviously caused us some problems today," said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky.
"This of course doesn't take away from the historic season that our team had. The worst part is that the season is over. You never prepare for this moment. You never want this moment, and it never feels good. Our kids are heartbroken that they don't get to play next weekend, and heartbroken that they don't get to do this as a group anymore. We are so thankful to our seniors for what they've given to this program. They have all left an indelible mark, for sure."

Third-seeded Tennessee was led by Jaida Thomas, Wrenne French and Taylor Huff who each tallied two shots and one shot on goal. Lindsey Romig made six saves on the day.

No. 2 seed Michigan's goals were scored by Sarah Stratigakis, Meredith Haakenson, and Sammi Woods.

The Vols were aggressive early, getting a shot off after a corner kick less than a minute into the match and seeing another opportunity on a cross through the box two minutes later.

Michigan countered by picking up the tempo, getting off three shots and forcing Romig into two saves between the five- and 10-minute mark.

Stratigakis struck first for the Wolverines, finding the side net from 12 yards out 14:37 into the game.

Tennessee nearly evened the score a minute and a half later when Huff threaded a pass through the UM defense to find Thomas in the box, but the shot was deflected wide.

The Wolverines added to their tally in the 26th minute when Haakenson got on the end of a corner to put Michigan up 2-0.

Lawson Renie took a look from 25 yards out in the 32nd minute, and Hannah Tillett put a shot on frame right before the buzzer, but neither found the net, and the Vols went into the locker room down 2-0.

Michigan dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, outshooting UT 6-1, but the Vols' defense held tough.

Tennessee got a quality look off a set piece in the 63rd minute, forcing a corner before French got a shot off from inside the box, but the ball sailed high.

The Wolverines notched their third goal of the game three minutes later when Woods broke behind the UT back line and was able to slot a ball near post.

Huff put a shot on frame in the 78th minute, forcing Hillary Beall into a diving save, and Thomas got a foot on the rebound, but a Michigan defender was there to block the shot.

The Vols got one last opportunity on a free kick in the 89th minute but couldn't connect, falling 3-0 in Ann Arbor.

20-WIN SEASONS: The 2021 Vols are the first SEC team to record 20 wins in a single season since Texas A&M in 2014 (22-3-2) and just the third SEC team to reach the milestone in the last 20 years.

NCAA NUMBERS: This was UT's 13th overall NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. UT is 16-11-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, having advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 seven times.

 

[Rickster]

No. 6 Vols Fall To No. 9 UM In NCAA Round of 16, 3-0

View attachment 413683

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 6 Tennessee's record-breaking season came to an end in the NCAA Round of 16 on Sunday as the Vols fell to the host team, #9 Michigan, 3-0.

With a record of 20-3-0, this squad finishes the season as UT's winningest team in program history, having claimed an SEC East Division title and UT's first SEC Tournament Championship since 2008. They also set new single-season records for longest shutout streak (633:53) and total shutouts (13).

"Congratulations to Michigan. They're a great team. Their shape and their movements obviously caused us some problems today," said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky.
"This of course doesn't take away from the historic season that our team had. The worst part is that the season is over. You never prepare for this moment. You never want this moment, and it never feels good. Our kids are heartbroken that they don't get to play next weekend, and heartbroken that they don't get to do this as a group anymore. We are so thankful to our seniors for what they've given to this program. They have all left an indelible mark, for sure."

Third-seeded Tennessee was led by Jaida Thomas, Wrenne French and Taylor Huff who each tallied two shots and one shot on goal. Lindsey Romig made six saves on the day.

No. 2 seed Michigan's goals were scored by Sarah Stratigakis, Meredith Haakenson, and Sammi Woods.

The Vols were aggressive early, getting a shot off after a corner kick less than a minute into the match and seeing another opportunity on a cross through the box two minutes later.

Michigan countered by picking up the tempo, getting off three shots and forcing Romig into two saves between the five- and 10-minute mark.

Stratigakis struck first for the Wolverines, finding the side net from 12 yards out 14:37 into the game.

Tennessee nearly evened the score a minute and a half later when Huff threaded a pass through the UM defense to find Thomas in the box, but the shot was deflected wide.

The Wolverines added to their tally in the 26th minute when Haakenson got on the end of a corner to put Michigan up 2-0.

Lawson Renie took a look from 25 yards out in the 32nd minute, and Hannah Tillett put a shot on frame right before the buzzer, but neither found the net, and the Vols went into the locker room down 2-0.

Michigan dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, outshooting UT 6-1, but the Vols' defense held tough.

Tennessee got a quality look off a set piece in the 63rd minute, forcing a corner before French got a shot off from inside the box, but the ball sailed high.

The Wolverines notched their third goal of the game three minutes later when Woods broke behind the UT back line and was able to slot a ball near post.

Huff put a shot on frame in the 78th minute, forcing Hillary Beall into a diving save, and Thomas got a foot on the rebound, but a Michigan defender was there to block the shot.

The Vols got one last opportunity on a free kick in the 89th minute but couldn't connect, falling 3-0 in Ann Arbor.

20-WIN SEASONS: The 2021 Vols are the first SEC team to record 20 wins in a single season since Texas A&M in 2014 (22-3-2) and just the third SEC team to reach the milestone in the last 20 years.

NCAA NUMBERS: This was UT's 13th overall NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. UT is 16-11-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, having advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 seven times.

Thanks for keeping us engaged. Appreciate your work!

 

[MAD]

SEC East foe South Carolina advances to the Elite 8.

 

[turbovol]

Missed the game today--may or may not watch it on replay--but hate it that we got worked in a last 16 game. You certainly want to be more competitive in a big NCAA game. We simply did not have it today--especially defensively--and that is disappointing. Did we run out of physical and mental energy, was Michigan a lot better than I anticipated? Probably yes to both.

At the end of the day defense is what usually separates the winners and losers in the NCAA tourney. It doesn't make for the most exciting soccer, in a lot of cases, but it is what it is. Florida State is in the College Cup almost every year because their coach, Mark Krikorian, puts a great defense on the field almost every year. Likewise, defense is South Carolina's calling card--the gamecocks shut out a more talented Penn State team today and is now in the final eight. ( I do not like the South Carolina coach has she is ungracious in defeat and never congratulates the opponent.)

Vols had a special year--fantastic to win the SEC tourney title-- but will want to take their level of play up a notch next year. We were good defensively this year--but can be better. The Vols will need to replace French at centerback, and should have some good candidates--maybe G. Washington or S. Hennessey, both of whom got solid minutes in different positions last year but did not play at all this year--I assume because of injury, or maybe one or both were redshirted, I don't know. Hennessey is strong and athletic; she played Rain's left outside back position last year, but Rain looks to have a lock on that spot now, so maybe Hennesseey can switch to CB. She could be good there. Washington played mostly in the midfield last year, but wasn't all that impressive, and then played CB in one game and showed--to me, anyway--some real potential. So we'll see. In addition, Pensky has eight new players coming in--at least four of them defenders.

Two crucial players for the Vols this year---George and Burdette--are seniors, but neither participated in senior night, so both may take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to everybody because of Covid and play again next year. That certainly may be want Pensky has in mind. Getting another year out of those two would be huge--and would mean that our entire starting unit save for one CB spot will be back next year. H. Zalusky, who shared left-side midfield duty with Dipasupil this year, is also a senior, but she, too, maybe be back. That is a position that, IMO, may need an upgrade.

It's unfortunate that we didn't get a 2 NCAA seed this year. One could certainly argue that we deserved a 2, and had we got it instead of a 3 seed we would have played the 2nd and 3rd round games in Knoxville and not cold Michigan. Such are the vagaries of the sports.

 

[MAD]

Missed the game today--may or may not watch it on replay--but hate it that we got worked in a last 16 game. You certainly want to be more competitive in a big NCAA game. We simply did not have it today--especially defensively--and that is disappointing. Did we run out of physical and mental energy, was Michigan a lot better than I anticipated? Probably yes to both.

At the end of the day defense is what usually separates the winners and losers in the NCAA tourney. It doesn't make for the most exciting soccer, in a lot of cases, but it is what it is. Florida State is in the College Cup almost every year because their coach, Mark Krikorian, puts a great defense on the field almost every year. Likewise, defense is South Carolina's calling card--the gamecocks shut out a more talented Penn State team today and is now in the final eight. ( I do not like the South Carolina coach has she is ungracious in defeat and never congratulates the opponent.)

Vols had a special year--fantastic to win the SEC tourney title-- but will want to take their level of play up a notch next year. We were good defensively this year--but can be better. The Vols will need to replace French at centerback, and should have some good candidates--maybe G. Washington or S. Hennessey, both of whom got solid minutes in different positions last year but did not play at all this year--I assume because of injury, or maybe one or both were redshirted, I don't know. Hennessey is strong and athletic; she played Rain's left outside back position last year, but Rain looks to have a lock on that spot now, so maybe Hennesseey can switch to CB. She could be good there. Washington played mostly in the midfield last year, but wasn't all that impressive, and then played CB in one game and showed--to me, anyway--some real potential. So we'll see. In addition, Pensky has eight new players coming in--at least four of them defenders.

Two crucial players for the Vols this year---George and Burdette--are seniors, but neither participated in senior night, so both may take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to everybody because of Covid and play again next year. That certainly may be want Pensky has in mind. Getting another year out of those two would be huge--and would mean that our entire starting unit save for one CB spot will be back next year. H. Zalusky, who shared left-side midfield duty with Dipasupil this year, is also a senior, but she, too, maybe be back. That is a position that, IMO, may need an upgrade.

It's unfortunate that we didn't get a 2 NCAA seed this year. One could certainly argue that we deserved a 2, and had we got it instead of a 3 seed we would have played the 2nd and 3rd round games in Knoxville and not cold Michigan. Such are the vagaries of the sports.

The future looks bright. Will also be interesting to see how the new recruits stack up, if there are any super freshmen coming in.

 

[kregman]

I thought Burdette was gone but she did not go through senior day. We need to get a little more physical in some spots but we sure do have a lot of talent coming back. Michigan had a lot of experience and some international experience.

 

[mudcat1973]

Field was torn up it slowed ut speed tennessee slip more than mi ch. mich pass better field was torn up in spots we never know who wins on a good field but tenn had 2 loses to 3 loss and tie mich . same story ncaa no fan of ut. that game should been on rockie top

 

[turbovol]

What's scary is that we could have practically the entire team back next year--and in theory be a better team-- but not have as good as year, because of the nature of soccer (can be hard to score even as you are playing well) and the fact that there are a lot of good, well-coached teams. We were 20-3 this year--and were only outplayed in two games. You've got to get some big, timely goals and have a bit of luck to have a season like this one (though it should also be noted that our non-conference schedule to start the year was /very/ easy, with only one solid/good opponent out of seven.) In that sense today's loss was a lost opportunity--because while Florida State is certainly the favorite the win the title (again), outside the seminoles the field was pretty wide open entertering today's play--no UCLA, Stanford, Southern Cal, UVA, all perennial contenders. Indeed, of the last eight teams still alive, two are SEC teams that we beat. Virginia had nearly everybody back from its very good team of last year and yet lost yesterday to BYU. This is all the more reason to have a BOSS defense, because there will be games when goals are hard to come by--but if you are good enough defensively, you can win tight games in which you might scratch out only one goal.

 

[MAD]

 

[Volfaninfl2]

This team set records for good things. Proud of you, and thanks for the memories.

GO LADY VOLS!!!

 

[Tennessee12]

The committee did is wrong with a 3 seed. Give us the 2 seed we deserve and we wouldn’t be in this position. It’s CRAZY to me. And it makes me more furious every time I think about it.

 

[Lurker]

JMO, but like most of you, I think the Lady Vols actually deserved a 2 seed this year; however, their rankings were borderline all season until they moved to #6 in the coaches poll at the end, leaving the door wide open for a questionable 3 seed assignment by the committee. The loss to a weak Vandy team really hurt. Had UT been consistently ranked top 8 earlier in the season, or had they even been higher ranked historically over the last 3-4 years (reputation points), a 2 was much more likely.

Now, with 20/20 hindsight, Michigan appears to have been far more tournament ready than the Vols and the Wolverines' convincing win supported the committee's questionable seeding choice this year.

Given: 1) that most of the team appears to be returning next year; 2) two other SEC teams that we beat have advanced to this year's final 8; and 3) a likely higher starting poll spot expected in the 2022, a 2022 performance similar to this year's by next year's team should eliminate the room for a downward departure in the future. But the team will have to build on this year's success going forward to get a 1 or 2. A high seed makes a big difference in NCAA outdoor tournament play.

 

[turbovol]

Rankings don't really mean that much in collegiate soccer. It's all about RPI--which is almost the bible when it comes to who gets in the NCAA tournament, who doesn't, and seedings. I, for one, think the committee pays a bit too much attention to RPI--and it's not always consistent about it. I think late-season performances and the eye test should be more of a factor--and certainly the Vols came on strong as the season progressed. If anyone screwed UT out of a 2 seed, it was, for me, North Carolina, which finished 7th in the ACC and didn't even make the (6 team) conference tournament. But UNC had a top 5 RPI--and that plus its reputation got it a 2 seed. Yet Harvard's RPI was 12--and the committee ignored that high number and didn't seed the Crimson, and that was the correct decision as Harvard beat absolutely nobody of note all year and nobody can explain how precisely that team had such a lofty RPI. But as others have noted, the RPI can be gamed by coaches who are smart about their non-conference scheduling. One way is to play top teams from smaller conferences--a team that you will likely beat but that, in turn, is likely to beat most of the other teams in its conference.

Pensky tends to schedule pretty weak non-conference foes, and once or twice it has worked to our advantage and we entered SEC play with a fairly respectable RPI. This year that wasn't the case as the Vols played some very low RPI non-conference opponents--and so we needed to have a good/very good SEC record to pull up our RPI, which we steadily did. I was worried about this season because we had what looked like a murderous leage schedule: We played the four best programs over, say, the last 5 years all AWAY--arkansas, south carolina, vandy and texas a&m. We won two of them, and then went undefeated at home. But it wasn't easy. I said the other day that having most of your returners back, or having what seems on paper to be a good team doesn't guarantee much in soccer, and this year's Auburn game was a classic example. It was our second conference game, after we lost our first SEC match, to Arkansas. We played terrifically against what turned out to be pretty strong auburn team--were much the better in run of play--but while we had the ball in Auburn's end a lot, we couldn't put the ball in the net and meanwhile auburn scratched out a goal off of a corner kick. We were headed to an undeserved loss until Huff saved the day with an amazing goal at around the 85'---and then we won it in OT. We could have easily lost that game and started the SEC season at 0-2. Instead, that dramatic victory arguably turned the season around; it gave us a jolt of confidence--and we were on our way. The margins are small in this sport.

FSU has really set the template for winning a national title--and it is a steel-cage defense. The Noles are not the most entertaining or exciting team to watch--but its defense, year in and year out, is incredibly stout: They held a good attacking Pepperdine team to only 4 shots--and 0 shots on goal--on Sunday, and won 1-0. If you want to win a national title, you have to have a defense that can hold a /good/ team scoreless. FSU does that a lot. It's not my favorite style of soccer, by any means, but it works. South Carolina has been the FSU of the SEC--almost always good defensively, but usually somewhat mediocre in attack. I'm surprised they've done so well in the NCAA tourney--but then the cocks held both UNC and Pa. State scoreless. That is hard to do.

In any case, here's hoping we kick butt next season.

 

[MAD]

Rankings don't really mean that much in collegiate soccer. It's all about RPI--which is almost the bible when it comes to who gets in the NCAA tournament, who doesn't, and seedings. I, for one, think the committee pays a bit too much attention to RPI--and it's not always consistent about it. I think late-season performances and the eye test should be more of a factor--and certainly the Vols came on strong as the season progressed. If anyone screwed UT out of a 2 seed, it was, for me, North Carolina, which finished 7th in the ACC and didn't even make the (6 team) conference tournament. But UNC had a top 5 RPI--and that plus its reputation got it a 2 seed. Yet Harvard's RPI was 12--and the committee ignored that high number and didn't seed the Crimson, and that was the correct decision as Harvard beat absolutely nobody of note all year and nobody can explain how precisely that team had such a lofty RPI. But as others have noted, the RPI can be gamed by coaches who are smart about their non-conference scheduling. One way is to play top teams from smaller conferences--a team that you will likely beat but that, in turn, is likely to beat most of the other teams in its conference.

Pensky tends to schedule pretty weak non-conference foes, and once or twice it has worked to our advantage and we entered SEC play with a fairly respectable RPI. This year that wasn't the case as the Vols played some very low RPI non-conference opponents--and so we needed to have a good/very good SEC record to pull up our RPI, which we steadily did. I was worried about this season because we had what looked like a murderous leage schedule: We played the four best programs over, say, the last 5 years all AWAY--arkansas, south carolina, vandy and texas a&m. We won two of them, and then went undefeated at home. But it wasn't easy. I said the other day that having most of your returners back, or having what seems on paper to be a good team doesn't guarantee much in soccer, and this year's Auburn game was a classic example. It was our second conference game, after we lost our first SEC match, to Arkansas. We played terrifically against what turned out to be pretty strong auburn team--were much the better in run of play--but while we had the ball in Auburn's end a lot, we couldn't put the ball in the net and meanwhile auburn scratched out a goal off of a corner kick. We were headed to an undeserved loss until Huff saved the day with an amazing goal at around the 85'---and then we won it in OT. We could have easily lost that game and started the SEC season at 0-2. Instead, that dramatic victory arguably turned the season around; it gave us a jolt of confidence--and we were on our way. The margins are small in this sport.

FSU has really set the template for winning a national title--and it is a steel-cage defense. The Noles are not the most entertaining or exciting team to watch--but its defense, year in and year out, is incredibly stout: They held a good attacking Pepperdine team to only 4 shots--and 0 shots on goal--on Sunday, and won 1-0. If you want to win a national title, you have to have a defense that can hold a /good/ team scoreless. FSU does that a lot. It's not my favorite style of soccer, by any means, but it works. South Carolina has been the FSU of the SEC--almost always good defensively, but usually somewhat mediocre in attack. I'm surprised they've done so well in the NCAA tourney--but then the cocks held both UNC and Pa. State scoreless. That is hard to do.

In any case, here's hoping we kick butt next season.

Your posts are very educational, enjoy reading them very much.

 

[kregman]

We gave it a good shot but George and Raines were no where near 100 percent and I suspect Romig wasn’t either. The field was exactly as Michigan wanted it but that is home field advantage. We need to hit the weight room some and let Burdette run a boot camp on being physical. Already looking forward to next year.

 

[StrangeVol]

Man...I'm missing our Soccer team already.

 

[StrangeVol]

I picked up an interesting tidbit this afternoon (11/23). Guess which college campus is so overwhelmed with the FLU that they have called in the CDC to help them get their campus under control?

If you guessed Michigan @ Ann Arbor you'd be right. I wonder if they asked for help before or after the tournament?

I think that this newly revealed information is highly suggestive that our team was suffering from the flu bug either before or during the match.

 

[MAD]

Any speculation where they move the SEC tournament?

 

[MAD]

Former Vol Katie Cousins was awarded best player at her team Thróttur Reykjavík of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild women's league in her first year.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

JMO, but like most of you, I think the Lady Vols actually deserved a 2 seed this year; however, their rankings were borderline all season until they moved to #6 in the coaches poll at the end, leaving the door wide open for a questionable 3 seed assignment by the committee. The loss to a weak Vandy team really hurt. Had UT been consistently ranked top 8 earlier in the season, or had they even been higher ranked historically over the last 3-4 years (reputation points), a 2 was much more likely.

Now, with 20/20 hindsight, Michigan appears to have been far more tournament ready than the Vols and the Wolverines' convincing win supported the committee's questionable seeding choice this year.

Given: 1) that most of the team appears to be returning next year; 2) two other SEC teams that we beat have advanced to this year's final 8; and 3) a likely higher starting poll spot expected in the 2022, a 2022 performance similar to this year's by next year's team should eliminate the room for a downward departure in the future. But the team will have to build on this year's success going forward to get a 1 or 2. A high seed makes a big difference in NCAA outdoor tournament play.

Way too early to talk about seeding. Wait until the end of January and everyone will have a pretty good idea where the seeds will fall.

 

[turbovol]

Mad: Where did you hear/read that the SEC tourney was being moved? That is interesting, if true. Orange Beach has seemed like a good location for the tourney, for years--but IMO the league should downsize the event. My biggest issue with Orange Beach has been the field: It's usually in good but not perfect condition to start the tourney--you are not going to get a lush green soccer field in southern Alabama, along the Gulf coast, in early November--and with 10 teams in the event, it means 9 matches in one week on one field. That's too many--and by the semifinals and finals the field is in pretty rough shape--not enough grass.

I'd like to see the field reduced to six or eight teams. The ACC tourney is only six teams: The teams finishing the regular season in spots 3-6 play first-round matches, with the top two teams, regular season, getting byes. And then it's straight into the semifinals and final. So if you finish in the top 2 regular season, you play a max of two games in the tourney; if you are 3-6, you play a max of three games. That makes the tourney less grueling. The Vols and Arkansas each got a bye in the SEC's 10-tourney--but they still ended up playing 3 matches in a week. That is not easy to recover from, physically--and then you've got the NCAA tourney starting within days--and you might very well have to travel.

I'm sure some if not many SEC coaches like the larger SEC tourney format because it gives teams that had, say, a mediocre/average regular season a chance to win a couple of games and get into the NCAA tourney--and maybe even save their jobs. I do like the idea of giving the top-two regular-season teams--division winners, I guess--first-round tourney byes--a deserved reward for a good regular season.

I'm not sure why the SEC decided--recently, I think--to break soccer up into divisions--as we do with football. I don't think any other league as soccer divisions--and it doesn't seem to make much sense. It would if, like football, the two division winners played each other in a title game to determine the league champion--but that's obviously not what the league does. I don't see the point in having divisions. I mean, yes, it gives teams a chance to trumpet the fact that they're a "division winner"--as we've done last year and this--but a team's //overall// league record is what's really relevant--not one's divisional record. In any case, I'm curious to know where the SEC tourney might be moved.

One thing about George: If she plays for us next year--and let's hope she does--I think Pensky has got to give her more rest. She is a physical player who is often double-teamed; she is mixing it up with opposing defenders all game--and she usually plays 80+ minutes in SEC games. That is tough on one's body over the course of the season. George is a tough cookie--very tough, and Pensky said recently that she recovers well from games--but we also saw her pick up an injury early in the first-round NCAA game and wear a thigh-wrap in the next two games. Cumulative wear-and-tear over 20+ matches is a thing--and so it might be prudent to play her fewer minutes during SEC games. It's hard because most league games are tight and very important, and you want to have your best players on the field as much as possible, but you also don't want your best players to be worn out late in the season. I think UT will have the depth next year to enable Pensky to rest his key players a bit more. We'll see!

 

[MAD]

Mad: Where did you hear/read that the SEC tourney was being moved? That is interesting, if true. Orange Beach has seemed like a good location for the tourney, for years--but IMO the league should downsize the event. My biggest issue with Orange Beach has been the field: It's usually in good but not perfect condition to start the tourney--you are not going to get a lush green soccer field in southern Alabama, along the Gulf coast, in early November--and with 10 teams in the event, it means 9 matches in one week on one field. That's too many--and by the semifinals and finals the field is in pretty rough shape--not enough grass.

I'd like to see the field reduced to six or eight teams. The ACC tourney is only six teams: The teams finishing the regular season in spots 3-6 play first-round matches, with the top two teams, regular season, getting byes. And then it's straight into the semifinals and final. So if you finish in the top 2 regular season, you play a max of two games in the tourney; if you are 3-6, you play a max of three games. That makes the tourney less grueling. The Vols and Arkansas each got a bye in the SEC's 10-tourney--but they still ended up playing 3 matches in a week. That is not easy to recover from, physically--and then you've got the NCAA tourney starting within days--and you might very well have to travel.

I'm sure some if not many SEC coaches like the larger SEC tourney format because it gives teams that had, say, a mediocre/average regular season a chance to win a couple of games and get into the NCAA tourney--and maybe even save their jobs. I do like the idea of giving the top-two regular-season teams--division winners, I guess--first-round tourney byes--a deserved reward for a good regular season.

I'm not sure why the SEC decided--recently, I think--to break soccer up into divisions--as we do with football. I don't think any other league as soccer divisions--and it doesn't seem to make much sense. It would if, like football, the two division winners played each other in a title game to determine the league champion--but that's obviously not what the league does. I don't see the point in having divisions. I mean, yes, it gives teams a chance to trumpet the fact that they're a "division winner"--as we've done last year and this--but a team's //overall// league record is what's really relevant--not one's divisional record. In any case, I'm curious to know where the SEC tourney might be moved.

One thing about George: If she plays for us next year--and let's hope she does--I think Pensky has got to give her more rest. She is a physical player who is often double-teamed; she is mixing it up with opposing defenders all game--and she usually plays 80+ minutes in SEC games. That is tough on one's body over the course of the season. George is a tough cookie--very tough, and Pensky said recently that she recovers well from games--but we also saw her pick up an injury early in the first-round NCAA game and wear a thigh-wrap in the next two games. Cumulative wear-and-tear over 20+ matches is a thing--and so it might be prudent to play her fewer minutes during SEC games. It's hard because most league games are tight and very important, and you want to have your best players on the field as much as possible, but you also don't want your best players to be worn out late in the season. I think UT will have the depth next year to enable Pensky to rest his key players a bit more. We'll see!

I believe they are turning it into a football stadium for the local high school. They interviewed Greg Sankey at one of the matches during the tournament and he said they were going to start looking into a new venue.