Vols Top Wildcats 2-0 For First SEC Win of 2019

Sunday, October 6

Knoxville, TN

3:00 PM

University of Tennessee

7-4-1, 1-3-0

Kentucky

5-6-2, 0-4-0

Kentucky

Tennessee

Photo by: Kelly Gerdin/Tennessee Athletics

October 06, 2019 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery Video Recap + Vignola Interview

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee picked up its first SEC win of the season Sunday afternoon at Regal Soccer Stadium, cruising to a 2-0 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in front of a home crowd of 1,112. Freshman midfielder Isabella Cook and senior forward MA Vignola accounted for scores in the first half to help the Vols secure the win.

"Winning in this league is hard," head coach Brian Pensky said after the win. "Even though Kentucky is now 0-4 and they've had a rough couple of years, I reminded our kids once again that the team was five minutes away from beating Mississippi State a week ago. Two weeks ago, they were ten minutes away from beating Auburn. That's a good team. This is a good win. Any win, any points in this league are great."

Cook opened the scoring for UT in the 20th minute of play, sending a cross from classmate Colleen McIlvenna into the netting from close range. Freshman defender Maria Nelson was also credited with an assist as she found McIlvenna on a through ball to the lower left corner of the pitch.

Vignola doubled the advantage nine minutes later, beating the Kentucky keeper in a one-on-one before burying the shot into the back of the net. McIlvenna and Cook notched assists on the play as they set up the score with passes in the midfield.

"It was a good team win today," Vignola said following the match. "We wanted to come out and get the three points today, and that's what we did. It's awesome that we did it as a team today. We wanted to come out and play with fire in our hair and that's what we did. It was great to get the two goals and three points today."

Tennessee (7-4-1, 1-3 SEC) kept its 2-0 lead throughout the second half, as the back line held the Wildcats (5-6-2, 0-4 SEC) without a shot on frame for the entire contest. Rookie keeper Lindsey Romig was credited with her first career solo shutout after playing all 90 minutes between the posts.

"I think [our defending] was off to a great start from the first whistle to the last, taking it half by half, minute by minute," senior defender Maya Neal said postgame. "We were able to bury the past with every pass, every voice in every woman on the team."

The Vols amassed a 13-8 advantage in shot attempts for the match, while corner kicks were even at five apiece. Tennessee won the possession battle for the ninth time this season with a 56-44 edge over Kentucky.

"I'm very proud of our team," Pensky said. "We only gave up eight shots, and we gave up zero shots on goal. Any time you have a game, especially in this league, where you don't require your goalkeeper to make saves, that's a good day. So, we are pleased, and we are ready to move forward with Georgia."

UP NEXT: Tennessee's SEC home stand continues Thursday night as the Vols welcome SEC East rival Georgia to Regal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against the Bulldogs is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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