University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
4-1-1
USC
4-1-1
UT Ends Weekend With Scoreless Tie
September 16, 2007 | Soccer
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. ??? The University of Tennessee women???s soccer team and USC finished in a scoreless tie, despite 110 minutes of play in the final match of the USC Tournament. The Lady Vols recorded their first tie and second consecutive shutout of the season.
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???My objective in my non-conference schedule is to challenge the girls in many different ways and, on this trip, we were able to travel cross-country and play two very high level teams,??? UT Head Coach Angela Kelly said.
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Junior goalkeeper Jaimel Johnson led the Orange and White in the shutout, making eight saves on USC???s 19 total shots. The shutout is the ninth of Johnson???s career, moving her to third all-time on the Lady Vol career records list.
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Though there was plenty of action, neither team found the back of the net or had many chances in the box in the first half. The ball spent plenty of time in the midfield, with both defenses halting any quality opportunities produced by the opposing offenses. Both teams took just two corners in the first 45 minutes.
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The Lady Vols controlled possession in the midfield through the first 20 minutes of the half, but could not get an offensive rhythm going, taking just three shots, none of which were on frame. The Women of Troy followed, taking control to end the first half, finishing with four shots. Johnson needed just one save to hold USC scoreless in the first frame.
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Both teams came out of halftime fired up, taking 15 combined shots in the second half. The game became more physical in the second 45 minutes, with Tennessee committing 10 fouls compared to four by the Women of Troy.
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USC held possession for a good portion of the second half, taking eight shots on goal and forcing Johnson to make seven saves, including two on three consecutive corners for USC in the 80th and 81st minutes. Johnson was excellent in the second half, facing 11 shots and making a several great saves just on the edge of the goal line.
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The Women of Troy continued to control possession in the two overtime periods, taking four shots to the Lady Vols??? three. Johnson made just one save in the final 20 minutes of the match.
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???USC is the best team we???ve faced thus far,??? Kelly said. ???They were physical and emotionally invested in this game and committed to being successful. It was an exciting game and it challenged us in ways that I was hoping it would. It definitely prepared us for anything that we may face in our conference play. Jaimel Johnson was an absolute stud in goal. For all those reasons, we???re excited to move forward and leave Southern California without a loss.???
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Southern California goalkeeper Kristin Olsen needed just two saves to record her second consecutive shutout. USC midfielder Ashley Nick led the squad with five shots, while forward Amy Rodriquez and defender Janessa Currier led the Women of Troy with three shots on goal.
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Tennessee continues its season-long five game road trip Friday, Sept. 21 at UNC Greensboro. Kick off with the Spartans is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
