UT Wins Sixth Straight on Senior Day

Sunday, October 28

Knoxville, TN

University of Tennessee

13-2-2 (8-1-1)

Auburn

9-7-1 (5-5-0)

Team	1	2	Final F
AUBURN	0	0	0
TENNESSEE	1	2	3

October 28, 2007 | Soccer

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ??? The University of Tennessee women???s soccer team posted a 3-0 victory over Auburn on Sunday afternoon behind goals from junior forward Kylee Rossi and junior midfielder Alissa VonderHaar. On ???Senior Day,??? the 12th-ranked Lady Vols improved to 13-2-2 overall and 8-1-1 in Southeastern Conference play, extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

???We???re going to enjoy this win,??? UT Head Coach Angela Kelly said. ???I think it was a great Thursday-Sunday weekend for us. I???m excited that we???re creating as many opportunities as we are. We???re not putting all of our great chances away, but I???m pleased with it still.???

After honoring seniors Jordan Falcusan, Erica Griffin, Hayley Prendergast and Emily Redberg, Tennessee posted its ninth shutout of the season and the 27th home win of the seniors??? career. During their tenure, this year???s senior class has gone 27-3-6 at home and 57-20-10 overall.

???It???s really a blessing to be able to come here and play every day on this field, in front of these fans and with these teammates,??? Redberg said. ???I really will miss it. My career???s not finished yet, though, I???m really excited about the games to come.???

Junior goalkeeper Jaimel Johnson made seven saves and faced 13 Auburn shots in recording her eighth solo shutout of the season. The victory is the 19th of Johnson???s career.

The Lady Vols got on the board first in the 39th minute. After freshman midfielder Tanya Emerson won the ball in the midfield and dished it to freshman forward Julie Edwards, who slid a pass through the Auburn defense into the box for Rossi. With AU keeper Allison Whitworth coming off her line, Rossi beat Whitworth to her right and found the back left corner of the net.

In a mild first half, Tennessee put three of their nine shots on goal, forcing Whitworth to make two saves. Auburn took eight shots with Johnson making four saves in the first 45 minutes.

Tennessee put an insurance goal on the board just 11 minutes into the second half. After coming off the bench in the first half, junior midfielder Alissa VonderHaar put UT up 2-0 after getting a pass in the box from Emerson inside the six yard box. VonderHaar turned and put the ball past Whitworth for her third goal of the season.

Just over three minutes later, Rossi struck again, scoring a spectacular goal in the 60th minute. After receiving the ball at the top of the box, Rossi dribbled in, fighting off two defenders before finding the back of the net on a shot into the upper right corner.

???We concentrate so much on the defensive side of the ball that now we???re working a little bit on the offensive side,??? Kelly said. ???You???re seeing a little more creativity which is great. There are more people getting into the attack. We???re peaking when we???re supposed to and getting a lot more dynamic.???

The two goals give Rossi 10 on the season, matching last year???s season total, and mark the fifth straight match in which the Pennington, N.J., native has notched a point. Rossi has now amassed 28 career goals, tying her for second all-time at UT, while her 70 career points are fourth in program history.

Auburn finished the match with 13 shots, seven of which were on frame. Whitworth made three saves on Tennessee???s 17 shots. The loss drops the Tigers to 9-7-1 overall and 5-5-0 in SEC play.

The Lady Vols retained their lead in the conference standings with their sixth consecutive win, but will face their toughest test of the SEC season at No. 20 Georgia on Friday, Nov. 2. The Bulldogs scored a 3-1 victory over Alabama to remain just two points behind UT in the Eastern Division and overall standings. Meanwhile, Florida downed LSU, 5-0, to remain in the race for the title with its 7-2-0 record in conference play.

???I think we can take this win and build on it,??? Kelly said. ???Georgia has had a tremendous season so far and it???s going to be an absolute battle on Friday night. We???ll prepare all week for that.???

Tennessee returns to action for its final match of the regular season at Georgia on Friday. Kick off in Athens is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex.