Vols Top Florida In The Swamp, 2-1

Friday, October 30

Gainesville, FL

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

3-3-1

Florida

1-4-1

Tennessee

Florida

October 30, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Tennessee picked up a rivalry win on the road Friday night, as the Vols topped Florida 2-1 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Sophomore midfielder Claudia Dipasupil tallied three points on the night with a goal and an assist, while redshirt freshman Jaida Thomas added her third game-winning score of the 2020 campaign.

With the win, Tennessee (3-3-1, 3-3-1 SEC) earned its third consecutive victory over the Gators to tie the longest streak for the Vols in series history. Friday's result also marked the first time UT earned back-to-back wins in Gainesville since 2006.

"This team is tough," head coach Brian Pensky said after the win. "Gainesville is always a difficult place to play, but our kids came here hungry. They knew we had a lot on the line, and they went for it. A very deserving, hard-earned win."

Dipasupil tallied her first goal of the season in the 27th minute on a strike from distance. The Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, native received a Florida clearance near the SEC logo, took a touch forward and pulled up with her left foot from 25 yards. The ball curled its way into the top shelf to give the Vols a 1-0 advantage in the early going.

Tennessee dominated the run of play in the opening frame, outshooting the Gators 8-4 in the first half with a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. The Vols served up eight corner kicks over the first 45 minutes, compared to just two for the Gators.

After an uneventful start to the second half, Thomas provided the eventual match-winner on a point-blank header via Dipasupil's corner kick service in the 65th minute. It was Thomas' third game-winning goal and Dipasupil's fourth assist of the season, as the duo leads the SEC in those respective categories.

Florida (1-4-1, 1-4-1 SEC) cut the Big Orange lead in half in the 81st minute as Maddy Rhodes tallied her second goal of the 2020 campaign. The freshman forward headed in a corner kick from Parker Rhodes to make it 2-1 Vols, a score that would hold for the remainder of the contest.

The Gators evened the shot disparity in the second half, as both squads finished the night with 11 attempts each. UT garnered a 6-3 lead in shots on goal and a dominant 13-5 advantage in corner kicks.

Tennessee goalkeeper Jenna Rolfe made her college soccer debut Friday night after being added to the roster midweek. The Nashville native played all 90 minutes between the posts, facing 11 shots and recording a save in her first match for the Lady Vols.

"Hats off to Jenna Rolfe, who hadn't touched a soccer ball since 2016," Pensky said. "She is now 1-0 as an SEC goalkeeper. We are excited to get back home and play for an SEC East Championship next Friday."

UP NEXT: The Vols will wrap up the regular season at home next Friday, November 6 against league-leading and top-10 nationally ranked South Carolina. The match will serve as an unofficial SEC East division championship game, with the winner clinching a division title and top-2 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Kickoff between the Vols and Gamecocks is set for 6 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

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