University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
South Carolina
UT's Upset Bid Falls Short on Senior Night
October 23, 2016 | Soccer
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee was unable to pull the upset against No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday, falling 2-0 in front of a Senior Night crowd of 1,092 at Regal Soccer Stadium.
Junior forward Savannah McCaskill scored a pair goals for the second-ranked Gamecocks (16-0-1, 10-0 SEC), both coming in the second half, to help USC remain undefeated this season.
Mary Alice Vignola led the Volunteers (10-7-1, 5-4-1 SEC) with three shots while senior forward Anna McClung added two more on the night. Despite being outshot 14-7 overall, shots on goal finished at an even four apiece and UT had a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Like a handful of other South Carolina opponents this season, Tennessee had trouble generating many quality scoring chances against one of the nation's top defenses. The Gamecocks have allowed just seven goals in 17 games this season. Tonight marked the first time the Vols were shut out since a 2-0 loss at No. 12 Florida on Sept. 25.
Neither team was able to gain the upper hand during an evenly played first half. The Gamecocks held a slight 6-4 edge in shots, but the Vols had the advantage with three shots on goal.
South Carolina didn't take long to break the deadlock in the second half, scoring just two and a half minutes after the break. McCaskill was in perfect position to head home a cross from Anna Conklin to give USC a 1-0 lead.
UT had a decent look in the 58th minute after pouncing on a loose ball in the box, but Vignola's shot attempt was saved by Mika Krzeczowski as she was scrambling back towards her goal.
The dangerous McCaskill added a brace in the 63rd minute to double the Gamecocks' lead, sliding the ball under Jamie Simmons after a great through ball from Sophie Groff. It was the 13th goal of the season for McCaskill, tying her with Florida's Savannah Jordan for the SEC lead.
The Big Orange had another solid opportunity off a corner kick in the 67th minute. Meghan Flynn got her foot on a loose ball in the box but her off-balance shot went over the bar.
After going down by two goals, Tennessee was able to maintain possession and generate some offensive pressure, but was unable to create any high quality scoring chances against the Gamecock's stingy defense.
UT's six seniors: Kiah Allen, Cali Hutson, McClung, Emily Morrow, Simmons and Hannah Wilkinson all started and were honored before the game.
The Vols wrap up regular-season play next Thursday against another ranked opponent in No. 11 Auburn at 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network +/WatchESPN. Following that game, UT will head to Orange Beach, Ala., to begin its postseason run at the SEC Tournament.
