Soccer Central: #9 South Carolina (Senior Night)

Friday, November 6

Knoxville, TN

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

South Carolina

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.08.12 - 2020 Soccer Photo Day

Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

November 05, 2020 | Soccer

Watch (SEC Network+)Live Stats Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee will play for an SEC East championship Friday night at Regal Soccer Stadium, taking on No. 9 South Carolina to conclude the regular fall season. The winner of Friday's contest will clinch a division title and top-2 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Kickoff between the Vols and Gamecocks is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Friday's match will feature an online, one-camera linear broadcast on SEC Network+, with play-by-play announcer Andy Brock on the call. Live stats will be available via SIDEARM Stats, and fans can follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter for live match updates.

SENIOR NIGHT: Prior to the match, Tennessee soccer will celebrate its two seniors—Wrenne French and Erin Gilroy. When the duo takes the field against South Carolina, they will have combined for exactly 100 appearances for the Vols since their freshman campaigns in 2017.

Friday's senior ceremony will begin approximately 20 minutes before kickoff.

DIVISION TITLE MATCH: Friday's showdown will serve as an SEC East championship game, with the winner claiming the 2020 division title as well as a top-2 seed and double-bye for the upcoming SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama.

South Carolina sits atop the SEC East table with 12 points from its 4-1 record against division opponents this fall. Tennessee holds 10 points with a 3-1-1 record in divisional play, seeking three points to overtake the Gamecocks in the final standings.

With a win, Tennessee would secure its first SEC East championship since 2005. Overall, UT has won four division titles since the program's inception in 1996.

LAST TIME OUT: The Vols earned a rivalry win on the road last week, topping Florida 2-1 in The Swamp. Claudia Dipasupil talled three points with a goal and an assist, while Jaida Thomas notched her third game-winning score of the season.

Tennessee secured its third-straight victory over the Gators, tying the longest streak for the Big Orange in series history. It also marked the first time UT earned back-to-back wins in Gainesville since notching consecutive victories at Florida in 2004 and 2006.

WEEKLY HONORS: Redshirt freshman forward Jaida Thomas took home her second SEC Freshman of the Week award following the Vols' win at Florida. She scored her third game-winning goal of the season, which leads the conference and ranks third in the NCAA.

Sophomore Claudia Dipasupil was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week for her performance against the Gators. She scored the match's opening tally on a 25-yard strike and assisted Thomas' winner on a corner kick service.

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee holds a slight edge in the all-time series with a 12-10-3 record against South Carolina since 1996. The Lady Vols dominated the rivalry early on, posting an 11-0-2 ledger against the Gamecocks in the first 13 matchups between the two programs. South Carolina has since turned the tide in its favor, going 10-1-1 against Tennessee since 2007.

Last year, the Vols earned a point on the road with a 1-1 draw at No. 7 South Carolina. Senior forward MA Vignola tallied the equalizer in the 90th minute to give UT its first positive result in Columbia since a 1-0 win in 2012.

SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA: The 9th-ranked Gamecocks ride a six-match winning streak into Knoxville, most recently picking up a 2-0 victory against Mississippi State in their home finale. With 18 points in conference play, South Carolina is currently tied with Arkansas in the race for the SEC regular season crown.

Freshman striker Catherine Barry leads the USC attack with three goals and two game-winners this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Hinz was recently tabbed as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following a four-save shutout in the win over Mississippi State.

UP NEXT: Tennessee will wrap up the fall semester at the SEC Soccer Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. The Vols currently sit sixth in the league standings with 10 points, having clinched at least a first-round bye in the conference showcase. Second-round games begin Sunday, November 15 at 1 p.m. ET.

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