KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 9 Tennessee soccer is back home to host its first Southeastern Conference match of the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EDT at Regal Soccer Stadium. The match will be televised on ESPNU with Mike Watts and Jill Loyden on the call.
Tennessee (6-0-2) returns for the first time in 18 days. This comes after a win at LSU and a draw at Texas. The Lady Vols have been quick strikers. Notably, they have scored a goal in the first 12 minutes of seven of eight matches this season. Tennessee is led by captain Kylee Simmons with four goals, including one game-winner, and 10 points on the year.
Teammate Shae O’Rourke is right behind with three goals and nine points. O’Rourke is also tied for the team lead with three assists. Ines Derrien and Bella Smith each have three as well.
The Lady Vols are second in the SEC with five goals allowed in eight matches played. Last time out, Texas became the first team to score multiple goals against the Lady Vols this season. Goalkeeper Cayden Norris has recorded nine saves on the year with a 0.65 goals against average.
Mississippi State is led offensively by Hailey Johnson with five goals, three assists and 13 points. Meanwhile, Laila Murillo has also scored five goals, coming on 13 shots on goal for the Bulldogs. This will not be an easy go of it for the Lady Vols. Mississippi State (7-1-1) has scored two or more goals in eight of nine matches. Impressively, they scored four each against Southern Miss, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss.
Tennessee has shown at times this season to start quick and trail off after half. However, in their last couple of matches against LSU and Texas, their second half efforts have improved a great bit.
Tennessee leads the series with 17 wins, four losses and three ties against Mississippi State and holds a 9-1 record at home.
