#RV/17 UT Comes From Behind To Beat #11/13 Auburn
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. RV/17 Tennessee came from behind to defeat No. 11/13 Auburn on Thursday, winning 2-1 in double overtime in front of a crowd of 830 fans at Regal Soccer Stadium.
Redshirt-junior
Brooke Wilson scored the game-winner 12 seconds into the second overtime period, driving a shot far post from 12 yards out. Senior
Mackenzie George made the initial entry pass and freshman
Jordan Fusco redirected the ball directly to Wilson who got off the shot.
The win marks UT's first victory in the last nine meetings with Auburn. During that time, they played to overtime on five occasions, with all four of those contests prior to tonight remaining tied after 110 minutes of play.
"I think (this win) goes back to the players on the field and our leadership group and those upperclassmen just pulling through it and having the confidence to fight," said UT's acting co-head coach
Joe Kirt. "They were all competing and doing the little things it takes to win an extra ball, to win a 50-50 ball, to keep the ball in their half. That's where this (win) came from is their resilience and their perseverance to finish the game and not take a step back.
"Everything is a struggle in this league. Getting a win at home is massive. Getting three points and coming from behind, it's huge. It's a great win for our program."
UT (8-1, 1-1 SEC) played composed, maintaining possession for almost 60 percent of the contest, and outshooting the Tigers 19-14, while taking eight corners to their one. Junior
Lindsey Romig recorded five saves on the day, including a clutch one-on-one save against a breakaway by Sydney Richards in the 64th minute.
Olivia Candelino was the goal scorer for Auburn (7-2-0, 1-1 SEC), and in goal, Maddie Prohaska recorded six saves on the day.
The game remained scoreless at the half with the Vols outshooting AU 8-3. Fusco managed to get two good looks on goal, but Prohaska came up with stops for the Tigers.
Auburn was first to strike, scoring in the 70th minute when Candelino capitalized on a loose ball following the Tigers' only corner of the game.
As time began to dwindle down, freshman
Taylor Huff took a couple touches off a pass from sophomore
Lawson Renie before bending it into the far side of the net from 22 yards out in the 86th minute to keep UT alive.
Tennessee had opportunities in the first overtime period, including back-to-back shots by junior
Claudia Dipasupil in the 99thminute, but was unable to capitalize. The Vols kept that pressure up in the second golden-goal period, with Wilson scoring 12 seconds in to give the Big Orange a 2-1 victory.
UP NEXT: UT travels to Missouri for a 4 p.m. ET matchup that will be televised by the SEC Network.
FRESHMAN PHENOM:
Taylor Huff's goal in the 86th minute was her sixth of the season. She now leads the team in goals scored.
'TIL THE FINAL WHISTLE:
With a goal in the 86th minute against Auburn, UT has now scored six goals during the final 10 minutes of regulation this season.
EVERYONE IS DANGEROUS: Twelve different Vols have scored at least one goal this season, and 12 of UT's 26 goals have been scored by players coming off the bench.
