University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
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Lipscomb
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Soccer Opens 2015 With 0-0 2OT Tie
August 21, 2015 | Soccer
Aug. 21, 2015
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee and Lipscomb played to a 0-0 double-overtime tie as the Tennessee soccer team opened UT's athletic year on Friday night before 1,702 boisterous fans at Regal Soccer Stadium.
The Vols had a golden chance to win the game in dramatic fashion as freshman Rylie O'Keefe ripped a shot from the top of the 18 but LU's Anna Buhigas (6 saves) made a leaping save to stop the ball from reaching the top of the corner of the goal with just over a minute left in the second overtime.
Tennessee's best look at a goal in the first overtime period came in the 92nd minute when Carlyn Baldwin ripped a shot inside the 18 and LU's Alex Hickey made a sliding save near the left post in front of an open net.
The Vols outshot Lipscomb, 27-16 in the contest. Tennessee had seven shots in the extra sessions.
UT registered 10 shots in the second half. Cousins fired a rocket shot in the 80th minute from the top of the box that sailed over the crossbar. In the 87th minute, Ariel Kupritz sent a shot in from the left side of the 18 that Buhigas stopped near the right post.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Julie Eckel (4 saves) returned to the field after missing all of 2014 with an injury. Eckel, who normally wears No. 00 wore No. 17 in honor of Hannah Wilkinson, who has suffered a preseason injury earlier this month.
The Vols held possession in the first half, keeping the Lady Bisons' on their heels. UT outshot Lipscomb, 10-4, and had four corner kicks to LU's two.
Eight different Volunteers registered a shot before the break. Ariel Kupritz's header from the right side of the box in the 17th minute that bounced off the ground and over the crossbar was UT's best look at a goal in the first half.
Tennessee next hosts Georgia Southern on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium. It's Soccer Sundae, which means the first 100 kids receive free ice cream sundaes.
