Oct. 21, 2016

Watch (SEC Network +) Gametracker Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- After extending its unbeaten streak to five games with a 3-0 win over Mississippi State, Tennessee welcomes No. 2 South Carolina for its final home game of the regular season on Sunday evening at 5 p.m.

GAME INFO

Tennessee vs. South Carolina

Opponent: No. 2/2 South Carolina Gamecocks
Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 23 / 5 p.m. ET
Location/Venue: Knoxville, Tenn. / Regal Soccer Stadium (3,000)
TV: SEC Network +/WatchESPN
Gametracker: UTSports.com

TEAM INFO

Tennessee (10-6-1, 5-3-1 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

South Carolina (15-0-1, 9-0 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

Need to Know

The Vols and Gamecocks enter Sunday's SEC showdown as two of the hottest teams in the conference. UT is unbeaten in its last five games and has gone 7-2-1 in its last 10 matches while South Carolina has won 15 straight contests and comes into Sunday's game as one of only two undefeated teams in the country at 15-0-1.

To pull the upset, the Big Orange will need another balanced performance like the one they put forth in their 3-0 victory over Mississippi State on Thursday night. Three different players scored goals and six separate players had a point while the back four and goalkeeper Shae Yanez both had solid performances to keep the Bulldogs off the board.

Senior Night

Tennessee will honor its six seniors for Senior Night before Sunday's game against the Gamecocks. Kiah Allen, Cali Hutson, Anna McClung, Emily Morrow, Jamie Simmons and Hannah Wilkinson have combined to play in 286 games and make 183 starts during their time on Rocky Top.

That Girl is on Fire!

Wilkinson has been unstoppable over the past six games, scoring in five of them while racking up 16 points in that span. Over the past couple of weeks, she has moved up to second on the program's career goals chart with 31, and up to third on the Vols' all-time scoring list with 80 career points. Wilkinson also notched her 18th career assist in Thursday's win over MSU to move into a tie for eighth on Tennessee's all-time list. The New Zealand native leads the team and ranks third in the SEC with 27 points, a new single-season high. Her eight multi-point efforts are far and away the most on the team this season and she is currently tied for fifth nationally with nine assists and 20th in the country with 1.80 points per game.

Goals Keep Coming

Tennessee's attack has been in fine form over the past month with 14 goals in the last six games. The Big Orange have scored two or more goals in 12 of the past 14 matches after only scoring multiple goals five times all of last season. Eleven different players have found the back of the net for the Vols this season and 15 have recorded at least one point.

Vols Earning National Recognition

Numerous Tennessee players have garnered some national attention over the past few weeks. Wilkinson added to her long list of accolades this week by earning a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. She was also named the NSCAA Women's College Player of the Week on Oct. 4. Last week, Emily Morrow earned a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week after assisting on a pair of goals in wins over LSU and Texas A&M. A trio of Vols were also named to midseason top 100 player lists last week by Top Drawer Soccer. Wilkinson and Carlyn Baldwin were named midseason top 100 players, coming it at No. 69 and No. 91, respectively, while Maya Neal came in at No. 100 on the midseason freshmen top 100 list.

UT Against Ranked Foes

Tennessee will face its third ranked opponent this season in Sunday's match at No. 2 South Carolina. The Vols are 34-66-10 all-time against ranked teams with six wins over top 25 foes under Brian Pensky. A win over the Gamecocks would be the first for UT over a top 10 team since a 1-0 win over No. 9 Texas A&M on Oct. 19, 2012. It would also be the highest ranked opponent the Vols have ever defeated.

Follow the Action

Sunday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN (Online Only) as Darren Headrick (PxP) and Cameron Broome (analyst) will call the action. Fans can also follow live stats for the game by clicking the link above or visiting the soccer schedule page on UTSports.com.

Ticket Information

No tickets needed. Admission to all Tennessee soccer home games is FREE!

Know the Foe

South Carolina

The Gamecocks defeated Vanderbilt in overtime on Thursday night to improve to 15-0-1 and win their 15th consecutive game after tying Oklahoma in their season opener. USC is led by junior forward Savannah McCaskill, who ranks second in the SEC with 11 goals and 29 points this season. South Carolina ranks third in the league with 36 goals this year and is also the best defensive team in the conference, allowing just seven goals this season while posting an SEC best nine shutouts.

UT's All-Time Record vs. South Carolina: 12-7-2

Tennessee leads the all-time series with South Carolina but has struggled over the past couple of years against the Gamecocks. UT's last win in the series came in 2012 with a 1-0 victory on the road. USC has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two programs, including a 4-0 victory in Columbia last season.

Promotions/Giveaways

Check out the promotions that will be going on at Sunday's game below.

Senior Night

- Tennessee's six seniors will be honored during a pregame ceremony.

Soccer Sundae

- First 100 children get a scoop of ice cream and can make their own sundaes.

Other Promotions/Giveaways

- Free Tennessee Boomstick for First 100 Fans

- Free Vuvuzela for First 50 Students

- Postgame Autographs

Fan Information/Stadium Policies

Please be advised that the university's new bag policy for all of its athletic venues will be in effect for this event. In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, the university is implementing new safety policies for fans bringing bags into all athletic venues.

Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium, VolShop locations in the Student Union, 17th & Cumberland Avenue and University Commons; as well as other area retailers.

For more information on the new bag policy click HERE.

What's Next?

The Vols finish their regular-season slate with a road contest at No. 11 Auburn next Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Following that game, UT will head to Orange Beach, Ala., for the SEC Tournament which begins on Monday, Oct. 31.