UT Stays Unbeaten with 2-0 Win

Sunday, August 26

Knoxville, TN

3:00 PM

University of Tennessee

4-0

VCU

1-2-1

VCU

Tennessee

August 26, 2012 | Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 26, 2012

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee remained undefeated to start the 2012 soccer season by wrapping up the First Tennessee Lady Vol Classic with a 2-0 victory over VCU on Sunday at Regal Stadium. Senior Kylie Bono scored the game-winner three minutes in and junior CC Cobb curved in a goal off a corner kick.

Coupled with a 1-0 overtime victory over William & Mary on Friday, Tennessee finished the weekend 2-0 to win the Lady Vol Classic. The team is off to a 4-0 start for the first time in program history to begin the Brian Pensky's coaching era in Knoxville. UT's three shutouts in its first four games and one goal allowed in its first four games are also program bests.

"On Sunday, sometimes you've got to dig in a little bit - especially after an emotional, physical game that went 107 minutes on Friday night," Pensky said. "You've got to dig in. I think the whole group tried to dig in as best we could. I don't think we were at our best, but we dug in and got a win."

Bono got Tennessee on the scoreboard early with her second goal of the season on an unassisted header in the second minute of the match.

Cobb added to the Tennessee lead by scoring her first goal wearing the orange and white. The Florida State transfer hooked her corner kick right into the net in the 67th minute to put Tennessee ahead 2-0.

Tennessee goalkeeper Julie Eckel has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season and has three overall to begin her sophomore year. The Lady Vols have allowed just one goal all season and have held opponents scoreless for the last 280 minutes of match play.

VCU dropped to 1-2-1 on the season.

Boost of Vitamin CC

Junior CC Cobb has come off the bench in each of Tennessee's four games this season, providing the spark that the Lady Vols have needed. The transfer from Florida state netted her first goal of the season and her UT career on Sunday afternoon with a bending corner kick in the 67th minute to extend the Tennessee margin to 2-0. Cobb said being a spark is just what Lady Vol head coach Brian Pensky ordered.

"I'm super excited," Cobb said of the goal. "The second half was tough to start off, but I went in and Brian told me to get the girls going, so it was nice to get everyone pumped up."

The impressive curve that Cobb put on the ball wasn't exactly her plan when she approached the ball, but she was pleased with the result.

"I was aiming near post for Katie's (Lenz) head," Cobb said. "It bent a little far, but it worked out.

Now Cobb and her Lady Vol teammates have to prepare for three consecutive road contests, a trip to Kennesaw State Friday night, then a cross-country journey to Cal State Northridge and UCLA.

"Everyone is really excited," she said. "We have to focus (in practice) next week with some big tests coming up."

- Brian Rice

UT enjoyed a 15-6 shot advantage in the game, never surrendering its early momentum from Bono's header.

Tennessee junior Caroline Brown, who scored the game winner against William & Mary on a penalty kick in overtime Friday, was named MVP of the Lady Vol Classic. She was one of four Tennessee players named to the team, joining Eckel and defenders Ali Hall and Allie Sirna.

First Tennessee Lady Vol Classic
All-Tournament Team
Caroline Brown - MVP (Tennessee)
Julie Eckel (Tennessee)
Ali Hall (Tennessee)
Allie Sirna (Tennessee)
Wendy Acosta (VCU)
Cristin Granados (VCU)
Caroline Casey (William & Mary)
Mallory Schaffer (William & Mary)
Cortlyn Bristol (William & Mary)
Kelly DeNiro (Akron)
Megan Waskowski (Akron)