Oct. 26, 2016

Watch (SEC Network +) Gametracker Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee wraps up regular-season play on Thursday with a road contest against No. 13 Auburn at 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network +/WatchESPN.

GAME INFO

Tennessee vs. Auburn

Opponent: No. 13 Auburn Tigers
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 27 / 8 p.m. ET
Location/Venue: Auburn, Ala. / Auburn Soccer Complex (1,500)
TV: SEC Network +/WatchESPN
Gametracker: UTSports.com

TEAM INFO

Tennessee Volunteers (10-7-1, 5-4-1 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

Auburn Tigers (12-5, 8-2 SEC)

Roster Schedule Stats

Need to Know

The Vols will look to end the regular season on a high note after having their five-game unbeaten streak snapped last Sunday in a 2-0 loss on Senior Night against No. 2 South Carolina. The loss was the first time UT was shut out since a 2-0 loss at No. 12 Florida on Sept. 25.

Despite Sunday’s loss to the undefeated Gamecocks, Tennessee is 7-3-1 over its last 11 games and 3-1-1 in its past five conference matches. The Vols lead the SEC with 22 assists in conference play and rank second in the league with seven shutouts this season. UT is 13-6-1 all-time in regular-season finales and will be going for its first win over Auburn since 2012 after a loss and three draws in the last four meetings.

Wilkinson Pacing the Offense

Hannah Wilkinson has been nearly unstoppable over the past seven games, posting at least one point in six of them while racking up 16 total 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 last Thursday’s win over Mississippi State to move into a tie for eighth on Tennessee’s all-time list. The New Zealand native leads the team and is tied for third in the SEC with 27 points, a new single-season high. Wilkinson’s nine assists this year are tied for sixth in the country as well. Her eight multi-point efforts are far and away the most on the team this season.

From Weakness to Strength

Tennessee’s attack has been in fine form over the past month with 14 goals in the last seven games. The Big Orange have scored two or more goals in 12 of the past 15 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 last 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. Two weeks ago, 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 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 fourth ranked opponent this season in Thursday’s match against the Tigers. The Vols are 34-67-10 all-time against ranked teams with six wins over top 25 foes under Brian Pensky. A win over Auburn would be the first for UT over a ranked foe since a 3-0 win over No. 21 Missouri on Oct. 26, 2014.

Follow the Action

Thursday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN (Online Only) as Andy Burcham (PxP) and Mac Matthews (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.

Know the Foe

Auburn

The Tigers enter Thursday’s season finale sitting in second place in the SEC standings with an 8-2 conference record. Auburn had its seven-game winning streak ended last Sunday with a 2-1 loss to Texas A&M in College Station. The Tigers are one of the top defensive teams in the SEC, ranking third in the league with a 1.05 goals against average. Junior forward Kristen Dodson has been a force offensively, leading the team with 10 goals, seven assists and 27 points.

UT’s All-Time Record vs. Auburn: 11-7-3

Tennessee leads the all-time series with Auburn but is winless in its last four games against the Tigers (0-1-3). The Vols fell to No. 14 Auburn, 3-1, in Knoxville last season and will be looking for their first win in the series since Oct. 7, 2012.

What’s Next?

Tennessee begins postseason play on either Monday or Wednesday at the 2016 SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. The Vols can still earn a top-six seed and a first-round bye with a positive result and some help on Thursday. Stay locked to UTSports.com and Twitter (@Vol_Soccer) for updates on the tournament schedule and seeding.