For the fifth straight year, Tennessee soccer has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The Lady Vols (12-3-3, 6-2-2 SEC) will host North Carolina (12-6, 6-4 ACC) in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This marks Tennessee’s fourth tournament appearance under head coach Joe Kirt in as many years.
After going unseeded in each of the past two seasons, Tennessee earned a No. 3 seed in this year’s tournament after one of its strongest regular-season campaigns in recent history. If the Lady Vols advance, they would host the winner of the No. 6 Texas Tech vs. UTSA matchup in the second round.
Despite an 0–12 all-time record against the Tar Heels, Tennessee finally broke through earlier this season. In their 2025 season opener, the Lady Vols stunned defending national champion North Carolina with a 2-0 win at Regal Soccer Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, redshirt junior forward Shae O’Rourke took over the game, scoring both goals to deliver Tennessee its first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked opponent.
However, this rematch will have a much different look. O’Rourke, who suffered a torn ACL earlier this season, remains sidelined for this match. Despite missing the past two months, she’s still tied for second on the team in goals with five.
Tennessee’s defense, anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Cayden Norris and veteran defenders Leah Klurman and Ally Brown, has remained one of the team’s strengths. The Lady Vols posted a program-best 13 shutouts, allowing just nine goals this season.
After starting 11-1-1 and 5-1-1 in SEC play, Tennessee is just 1-2-2 in its last five matches, including a 2–0 loss to LSU in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Nov. 4. The Tar Heels are 3-2 in their last five games and 12-6 overall, but they have yet to beat a ranked opponent this season.
Friday’s match marks Tennessee’s first time hosting an NCAA Tournament game since 2022, when the Lady Vols lost to Xavier 4-1 in double overtime. The Lady Vols have hosted 18 NCAA events, posting a 14-3-1 record.
Tennessee is also undefeated this season at home with a 7-0-1 record.
“The fans have shown out every game,” Kirt said after a match earlier this season. “Our community and our fans support all our sports, and ours is no different. The environment they’ve created here at Regal is such a home-field advantage, and it’s why we haven’t lost here. Credit to our fans, and the environment they create, it’s been tremendous and probably the best in my time here.”
The match will kick off on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. ET.
