#11 Vols Fall to #20 Florida, 2-1, in Home Finale

Sunday, October 22

Knoxville, TN

1:00 PM

University of Tennessee

13-3-1, 5-3-1

Florida

13-4-0, 7-2-0

Florida

Tennessee

October 22, 2017 | Soccer

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers fell to the No. 20 Florida Gators 2-1 on Sunday in the regular-season home finale before a crowd of 2,411, the second-highest attended match in Regal Soccer Stadium history.

Redshirt junior Anna Bialczak scored her sixth goal of the season to tie the game 1-1 in the second half for Tennessee (13-3-1, 5-3-1 SEC), but Florida (13-4-0, 7-2-0) went ahead with 11 minutes remaining and held on for the victory.

"Our team deserved better today," Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky said. "Obviously that's a good Florida team, but we were right there, and then some. We defended well. Created terrific chances. Scored a great goal. Competed extremely hard throughout. Everything you can ask for as a coach. We will bounce back from this -- there is no doubt. Our kids have great fight and determination. We will be ready Thursday."

Tennessee closes the regular season Thursday at Arkansas beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central).

Fifth-year seniors Michele Christy and Ariel Kupritz were honored before the game as the team's senior duo.

The teams dueled to a 0-0 tie at intermission. Tennessee out-shot Florida six to five in the first half. Junior goalkeeper Shae Yanez carried the Lady Vols behind three saves on shots by the Gators.

The Gators got on the scoreboard in the 54th minute on a goal from Sarah Troccoli from an assist by Deanne Rose, making it 1-0 Florida.

In less than 10 minutes, Tennessee answered with a header from Anna Bialczak off a free kick by Katie Cousins. Bialczak is second on the team with six goals and Cousins picked up her third assist.

In the 79th minute, Florida would take the lead 2-1 on a goal from Briana Solis on a through ball by Madison Alexander. Tennessee was unable to come up with the equalizer in the final 11 minutes to give the Gators a 2-1 victory.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Khadija Shaw led Tennessee with four shots. Shae Yanez, Josie Jennings, Katie Cousins and Maya Neal played all 90 minutes for Tennessee in what was a very physical match from start-to-finish.