University of Tennessee
Georgia
MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee vs. Georgia
October 12, 2023 | Soccer
Tennessee is back in action at Regal Stadium, hosting Georgia in a 7 p.m. ET matchup on Friday.Â
In their last outing, the Lady Vols (6-3-4, 1-2-3 SEC) couldn't overcome a scrappy LSU team, suffering a 1-0 loss in LSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday. Freshman Kate Runyon led Tennessee on offense with four shots on goal on the day. Redshirt-freshman Abby Reisz made the start in goal, making one save, and redshirt-sophomore Ally Zazzara took over in the second half, earning four saves.
Ava Galligan found the net for LSU (8-5-1, 3-3-0 SEC), and Mollee Swift played the full game in goal, recording seven saves.
Admission is free for all preseason and regular-season soccer matches. For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear bag policy will be in effect.
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GAME PROMOTIONS:
- 2023 Soccer Scarf Voucher for first 500 fans (claim at halftime)
- Plastic Pint Glasses for first 500 fans
- Food trucks: Poynor's Pommes Frites and Irvey's Ice Cream
- Pregame: Mental Health Awareness Video
WHEN WE MET LAST SEASON: The Lady Vols fell 2-0 to the Bulldogs in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Nov. 1 last year. Dani Murguia and Tori Penn were the goal-scorers for UGA in that contest. Earlier that season, Tennessee took a 2-0 victory in Athens on Oct. 9. Senior Claudia Dipasupil and redshirt-junior Jaida Thomas found the net for UT, with fifth-year senior Mackenzie George and sophomore Taylor Huff earning assists. In goal, senior Lindsey Romig made three saves on the day.
VS THE BULLDOGS: Tennessee owns an all-time record of 19-10-1 against UGA. When playing in Regal Stadium, the Lady Vols are 12-1-0, with their sole loss coming in 2008.
SCOUTING GEORGIA: UGA was picked to finish fourth in the SEC as voted on by the league's coaches. Georgia returned nine starters from the 2022 squad that went 13-6-3 and added 14 newcomers in the form of nine freshmen and five transfers. Redshirt-senior Nicole Vernis leads the team with four goals and five assists.
SECOND HALF TEAM: The Lady Vols have netted five goals over the last four contests, all of which have come in the second half. On the season, 16 of Tennessee's 26 goals have been scored in the second half, with nine of those coming in the final 20 minutes of the match.
THOMAS IN THE RECORD BOOK: Before suffering a season-ending injury, redshirt-senior Jaida Thomas moved her career total to 39 goals to trail UT's leading career scorer, Kylie Rossi, by just four goals. Thomas amassed her 39 goals in just 59 games for a goals-per-game average of .66 to rank third all-time at Tennessee behind only Bunny Shaw (0.77) and Allison Campbell (0.70).
IN THEIR OFFENSIVE THIRD: On the season, UT has taken almost twice as many shots as it has allowed, outshooting opponents 227-115, and taking 110 corner kicks while limiting the opposition to just 36. Tennessee currently ranks third in Division I in corner kicks per game (8.38) and 19th in shots per game (17.62).
EVERYONE IS DANGEROUS: UT's 26 goals thus far have been scored by 11 different players. Freshmen Sarah Greiner, Kate Runyon (3) and Keaton Mitchell, sophomore Kameron Simmonds (6), juniors Jordan Fusco (3) and Nolyn Bartholomew, redshirt-seniors Maria Nelson (2) and Jaida Thomas, senior Lawson Renie and graduates Sizzy Lawton (4) and Nayeli Diaz have all found the back of the net for the Big Orange. Own goals by ETSU and MSU round out the total.
FRESHMEN CONTRIBUTING: All four of UT's active freshmen have recorded at least one goal or assist on the season. Forward Kate Runyon has made eight starts, logging three goals and an assist. Fellow rookies Keaton Mitchell and Sarah Greiner have both tallied goals, and Linette Hofmann has started 11 contests, recording an assist in the season opener against Cal.
NEW FACES: Tennessee added 10 newcomers in its 2023 signing class. All 10 are versatile field players with six enrolling as freshmen and four arriving as transfers with multiple years of collegiate experience.
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BACK AGAIN: The Lady Vols return five starters and 20 letterwinners from the 2022 team that clinched an SEC East Division title for the third straight season.
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PLAYERS TO WATCH:Â Redshirt senior Jaida Thomas, senior Lawson Renie, juniors Sheridan Michel and Jordan Fusco, and sophomore Kameron Simmonds were all named to the SEC Preseason Watch List.
 UP NEXT: Tennessee will return to the road, traveling to Missouri for a 7 p.m. ET kick time on Thursday.
