University of Tennessee Athletics
2015 Senior Feature: Tennessee Soccer
October 25, 2015 | Soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --Three Tennessee seniors will take the field at Regal Soccer Stadium for the final time tonight as the Volunteers host Kentucky for Senior Night.
Goalkeeper Julie Eckel and defenders Susan Ferguson and Gabby Santorio have provided major contributions and left their marks during their time at Tennessee. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from their careers at Rocky Top.
Eckel will go down as one of best goalkeepers in program history. The Cordova, Tenn., native led the Vols to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances as a freshman and sophomore and will leave Tennessee with a handful of program records. Eckel is already the program’s career leader among goalkeepers in games started (77), minutes played (7,211) and save percentage (.822). She also needs only two more saves to pass Ellen Dean (325) and one more shutout to overtake Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart (32.0) for the all-time records at Tennessee. Eckel also ranks second all-time at UT in goals against average (0.87) and third in victories (44) heading into tonight’s match against the Wildcats.
Ferguson has proven to be one of the most consistent and versatile players for the Vols over the past four seasons. She has played multiple positions during her career and has been a fixture in the Vols’ starting 11 over the past three seasons. Ferguson has appeared in (76) and started (55) more games than any other active Tennessee field player. The Arlington, Va., native has scored three career goals and posted six career assists for 12 total points. She has been a staple on Tennessee’s back four this season, starting every game while helping lead the Vols to an SEC best nine shutouts.
Santorio has been an anchor in the middle of Tennessee’s back line, starting 37 of 38 games over the past two years at center back. She has appeared in 60 games while logging 48 starts during her four seasons at Tennessee and has two career goals, four career assists and eight career points. The Schenectady, N.Y., native has helped the Vols record 34 shutouts over the past four years, including an SEC best nine this season.
In the above video by VFL Films, Eckel, Ferguson and Santorio reflect on their careers at Tennessee and what it has meant to don the Orange and White.
