Marcano's Late Winner Lifts Vols to First Sweet 16 Since 2007

Friday, November 16

Knoxville, TN

5:00 PM

University of Tennessee

15-2-3

Arizona

13-6-2

Arizona

Tennessee

Marcano's Late Winner Lifts Vols to First Sweet 16 Since 2007

November 16, 2018 | Soccer

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Senior forward Danielle Marcano found the back of the net in the 90^th minute as No. 2 seed Tennessee topped Arizona 3-2 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night at Regal Soccer Stadium. With the win, UT advances to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 2007.

Tied 2-2, Marcano's heroic tally came with 55 seconds left on the game clock. The Buford, Ga. native converted off a corner kick from Katie Cousins, scoring from inside the six-yard box for her seventh goal and fourth game-winner of the season.

"There are no words to describe how massive that game-winning goal was," said Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky. "We were up against it in the last 18 minutes. Absolutely against it. They were all over us. They were pressing us. We were rattled. And if you go into overtime, who knows what's going to happen. Danielle buried it and finished it off."

Trailing 2-0 late in the match, Arizona (13-6-2) scored a pair of goals in the 78^th and 80^th minutes to equalize the contest. Defender Samantha Falasco found the netting off a corner kick before midfielder Kennedy Kieneker tied it up from close range.

"They gave us all we could take in the last 20 minutes," Pensky said. "They probably walked out of here feeling like that was the real Arizona in the last 20 minutes and we felt that. They are a fantastic team and well organized. We feel fortunate enough to beat such a good team."

Junior forward Salera Jordan (Palmyra, Tenn.) delivered the opening goal in the first half, taking a well-placed volley from Meghan Flynn to the top of the box and scoring from 16 yards out on the counter-attack. The Vols took a 1-0 lead into the halftime locker room.

Marcano gave Tennessee (15-2-3) a 2-0 cushion 46 seconds into the second half, scoring off a throw-in from Flynn on a 20-yard dribbler into the lower right corner. With her game-winner 44 minutes later, Marcano accounted for her third brace of the season.

Shots were deadlocked 16-16 for the match, while corner kicks were also knotted up 4-4. The Vols had six saves compared to four for the Wildcats, while fouls were 9-3 in favor of Arizona.

UP NEXT: Tennessee is set to rematch with the No. 3 seed Texas A&M Aggies on Sunday, Nov. 18 at Regal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee soccer, follow @Vol_Soccer.