Vols Drop Double-Overtime Setback to Alabama, 2-1

Sunday, September 29

Knoxville, TN

1:00 PM

University of Tennessee

6-4-1, 0-3-0

Alabama

6-4-1, 1-2-0

Alabama

Tennessee

Photo by: Kelly Gerdin/Tennessee Athletics

September 29, 2019 | Soccer

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee dropped a stunning 2-1 loss in double overtime to Alabama Sunday afternoon at Regal Soccer Stadium. Senior defender Nealy Martin tallied the golden goal for the Crimson Tide in the 105th minute to hand the Vols their third one-goal loss in SEC play.

"I'm proud of our team," head coach Brian Pensky said. "I feel so horribly for them to not at least get out of here with a point, because they left it all out there. Vanderbilt was a tough one with 30 seconds left, and this is pretty painful too with five and a half minutes left so, hurt for our kids right now.

"There's a silver lining. We all have to look in the mirror and evaluate, judge and measure the job that we did. I feel like our kids can look in the mirror and feel pretty proud of their effort today and I'm thankful for that."

The game-winner was scored off an Alabama corner kick, as rookie midfielder Carlee Giammona found Martin in the box. The senior ended the match with a header beyond the outstretched arms of Tennessee keeper Lindsey Romig, who recorded a career-high eight saves on the afternoon.

"I feel horribly for [Lindsey]," Pensky said. "She did enough to earn a point. She made some lights out saves. I like to call them stick saves, sticking a foot out or whatever the case may be. She was fantastic and that's why she's here. Proud of her, proud of her effort all three [SEC] games. I know she probably wants that Auburn goal back but that's going to happen. She's been lights out in all three SEC games."

Alabama (6-4-1, 1-2 SEC) amassed a 29-11 advantage in shot attempts as Romig faced 12 shots on goal. Alabama also held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks for the match.

Following a 70-minute defensive struggle for both sides, Alabama (6-4-1, 1-2 SEC) broke through for a 1-0 lead as freshman midfielder Serena Pham converted a penalty kick into the lower left corner.

Trailing 1-0 late in the second half, Tennessee (6-4-1, 0-3 SEC) equalized the match on freshman forward Alicia Donley's third goal of the season. The Pickerington, Ohio native found a loose ball in the box struck the back of the net in the 74th minute to tie the match.

UP NEXT: Tennessee will take a week off between before hosting the Kentucky Wildcats next Sunday, Oct. 6 at Regal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the match will be televised on SEC Network.

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