Soccer Central: at Cincinnati

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After a two-week layoff, the Tennessee soccer team is back in action this weekend for a Sunday afternoon road tilt at Cincinnati. The Vols and Bearcats will kick off at 1 p.m. at Gettler Stadium.

The contest will feature an online broadcast via ESPN+, available on the ESPN app and espn.com/watch with a paid subscription. Live stats will be provided by StatBroadcast, and fans can follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter for live match updates.

BACK LIKE WE NEVER LEFT: Sunday's matchup at Cincinnati will be the first for the Vols (8-4-1) since knocking off Wake Forest 2-0 at home on Saturday, March 6. Freshman forward Jaida Thomas logged her fourth consecutive multi-goal performance against the Demon Deacons as she netted both goals for UT in the victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lindsey Romig logged her third clean sheet of the spring semester against Wake Forest, playing all 90 minutes between the posts and recording a pair of remarkable saves to preserve the shutout. The Midlothian, Virginia, native ranks first in the SEC and 11th in the NCAA with five solo shutouts during the 2020-21 campaign.

The Vols are currently riding a four-match win streak to start the 2021 spring campaign and are unbeaten in their last nine matches against non-conference opponents.

NOTING THE HOT START: UT has started the semester on a tear, claiming four-straight victories and outscoring its opponents 18-1 overall. The Vols have downed Gardner-Webb (6-0), App State (7-0), Savier (3-1) and Wake Forest (2-0) in the program's first four spring matches.

Seven Vols have combined for UT's 18 goals in 2021: Jaida Thomas (9), Abbey Burdette (2), Mackenzie George (2), Louisa Essuman (1), Lawson Renie (1), Hannah Tillett (1) and Giselle Washington (1).

The Tennessee defensive unit has been solid as well, conceding just one goal during the four-game stretch that began with four hours and 11 minutes (250:57) of scoreless game time.

SCORING MACHINE: Forward Jaida Thomas has a knack for scoring and is producing one of the most remarkable freshman campaigns in program history. With 12 goals this season, she leads the SEC and ranks No. 3 in the NCAA this season. Her 12 tallies are also tied with former Lady Vol and Olympic bronze medalist Rhian Wilkinson for the second-most recorded by a Tennessee freshman.

The Irving, Texas, native has been a fox in the box this spring, scoring multiple goals in four-straight contests. She opened the semester with a hat trick against Gardner-Webb before collecting braces against App State, Xavier and Wake Forest in recent weeks.

Based on research conducted by the league's soccer communications contacts, Thomas is the first SEC player to record four-straight multi-goal outings since U.S. national team legend and former Florida Gator Abby Wambach had four-straight braces as a senior in 2001.

RECEIVING VOTES: For the third-straight week, the Vols are among teams right outside the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches national rankings that are receiving votes in the poll. The Vols have compiled an 8-4-1 record this season that includes wins over currently ranked No. 6 Vanderbilt and No. 10 South Carolina en route to an SEC East division title in the fall.

OHIO VOLS: Tennessee's travel roster includes two players from the state of Ohio. Freshman midfielder Lawson Renie will return to her hometown of Cincinnati this weekend, while Caitlin Foley hails from Springfield, Ohio, about 80 miles north.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS: Cincinnati is off to a slow start for its 2020-21 campaign, posting a 1-4 overall record (1-3 AAC) as the program began its season last month. The Bearcats have suffered three-straight home losses at the hands of Notre Dame (0-2), Temple (1-2) and No. 19 Memphis (0-2), with their lone win this season being a 3-0 triumph at Tulsa on Sunday, March 7.

SERIES HISTORY: The Vols and Bearcats have squared off twice before with UT earning wins at home in both matchups. The most recent contest came in the fall of 2019, when current Vols Wrenne French and Isabella Cook accounted for scores in a 3-1 victory for the Big Orange.

The first meeting between the programs came in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on November 17, 2002. Backed by scores from Keeley Dowling and Kayla Lockaby, the Lady Vols came out on top 2-1 to book the program's first trip to the Sweet 16—beginning a stretch of five NCAA third-round appearances in a six-year span.

UP NEXT: The Vols will host the most storied program in women's college soccer, North Carolina, for the 2020-21 home finale on Saturday, March 27. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

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

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Players Mentioned

Abbey Burdette

Isabella Cook

Louisa Essuman

Caitlin Foley

Wrenne French

Mackenzie George

Lawson Renie

Lindsey Romig

Jaida Thomas

Hannah Tillett

Giselle Washington

University of Tennessee Athletics