Soccer Central: Florida

Thursday, October 24

Knoxville, TN

7:00 PM

University of Tennessee

Florida

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2019.08.22 - Tennessee vs. Fordham

October 23, 2019 | Soccer

Watch (SEC Network)Live Stats Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee soccer team returns home this week, hosting No. 20 Florida in a rivalry matchup Thursday night. Kickoff between the Vols and Gators is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Admission and parking for all regular season matches at Regal Soccer Stadium are both free of charge. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Thursday evening, and fans should be reminded that Tennessee's clear bag policy will be in effect.

Thursday's contest will be televised on the SEC Network, with an online version of the broadcast available at this link. Live stats will be provided via SIDEARM Stats, while fans can follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter for live match updates.

PROMOTIONS: Tennessee Fan Experience staff will be giving away 500 Tennessee soccer scarves to the first 500 fans in attendance Thursday night. Pregame festivities include a petting zoo that features a mini-horse, sheep, goats, bunnies and more, as well as animal-themed arts and crafts in the Kids' Corner.

Food promotions include "Gator bites" (Chick-Fil-A nuggets) for the first 200 fans and Dollar Dog Night with vouchers handed out at the gate.

LAST TIME OUT: The Vols (8-5-2, 2-4-1 SEC) earned a 1-1 draw at No. 7 South Carolina last Friday as senior forward MA Vignola found the equalizer in the 90th minute. The result marked the first time Tennessee earned points in Columbia since a 1-0 win in 2012. Rookie goalkeeper Lindsey Romig played all 110 minutes between the posts with six saves on the night, including three during the overtime periods.

DOWN THE STRETCH: Tennessee will see one of the strongest schedules in the conference to close out the regular season, as two of UT's next three opponents are ranked in the United Coaches top-25.

vs. #20 Florida (10/24)
vs. #6 Arkansas (10/31)

VIGNOLA THRIVES UP TOP: Coming off an All-SEC Second Team campaign in 2018, senior MA Vignola is filling up the stat sheet in her final year on Rocky Top. She made the move to forward after spending most of last season at left back and leads the Vols with eight goals and three game-winners. Six of UT's last eight goals have come off of Vignola's left foot.

BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD: Tennessee was one of three schools in the country (UNC, Clemson) to have four players named to the TopDrawerSoccer Women's Freshman Top 100 that was released earlier this week. Furthermore, the Vols were the only team in the nation with four players inside the top-60 of that listing.

RANKED MATCHUP: The Vols have earned 37 wins over top-25 teams since the program's inception in 1996, with a 25-27-2 record against ranked opponents at Regal Soccer Stadium. Thursday's matchup will be Tennessee's second consecutive meeting with a ranked opponent as the Vols faced No. 7 South Carolina on the road last Friday. UT also traveled to No. 17 Vanderbilt earlier this season.

SERIES HISTORY: In 30 meetings since 1996, Florida holds an 18-9-3 series edge over Tennessee, including six wins since 2012. The Vols picked up a 2-0 road victory last season behind goals from Danielle Marcano and Erin Gilroy. It was UT's first win over the Gators since 2011 and the first victory in Gainesville since 2006.

SCOUTING FLORIDA: The Gators (10-5, 6-1 SEC) enter Thursday's match ranked No. 20 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches national poll, coming off back-to-back home wins over Kentucky (4-2) and Auburn (2-1) in league play. Florida sits third in the SEC with 32 goals this season but also allows a 1.42 goals-against average that ranks 10^th in the conference.

Graduate transfer Vanessa Kara stands out as the Gators' leading scorer with eight goals this season, twice as many as any other player on the roster. Junior keeper Susi Espinoza is in her first season as the full-time goalie for Florida, posting a 1.33 goals-against average to go along with 50 saves and five shutouts.

UP NEXT: Tennessee will hit the road for Starkville, Miss. this weekend for its final road contest of the regular season at Mississippi State. The Vols return home on Halloween night for the season finale against nationally ranked and SEC West champion Arkansas.

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