When the Tennessee soccer team knocks in at least two goals, the program boasts a 98-7-2 record.
In Sunday afternoon’s second round matchup with UAB, it only took one goal. A Keeley Dowling header in the 27th minute of action turned out to be the gamewinner in a 1-0 Tennessee victory.
With the win, Tennessee (17-4-2) advances to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year. The Lady Vols will face Ohio State in a third round contest next weekend.
After beginning Friday night’s 2-0 victory over Furman in a less-than-aggressive fashion, Tennessee started out quickly in Sunday’s contest.
“In every game we play, I want our team to come out with energy,” UT coach Angela Kelly said. “We wanted to come out more aggressively than we did in the first half of Friday’s game. We did that today.”
Only a little over a minute into the game, senior midfielder Kayla Lockaby started off a barrage of first-half Tennessee scoring opportunities. Lockaby had an open point-blank shot at the net that was saved by UAB goalkeeper Katie Forbis.
The Lady Vols converted one of those scoring opportunities with 26:59 remaining in the first half.
After senior forward Lyndsey Patterson broke loose on the right side of the field and a UAB player knocked the ball out of play, senior midfielder Sue Flamini had corner kick. Flamini’s kick landed at the head of Dowling, who guided the ball in from the left side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Blazers adjusted at the half and came out with renewed enthusiasm for the second half.
“I felt that in the first half, we tried to match their style rather than playing like we normally would,” UAB coach Paul Harbin said. “In the 2nd half, we tried to just come out and do what we do well as a team.”
Altering their approach helped UAB pursue a more active attack on the goal. Tennessee spent much of the second half chasing down the Blazer offense.
“They were shredding our midfield,” Kelly said. “In the 2nd half, they were putting us on our heels. When we were getting to the ball, we weren’t clearing it out effectively.”
Tennessee junior goalkeeper Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart registered five saves in the game, including one significant save with 25:58 remaining in the action. The Blazers had a free kick from deep within Tennessee territory, but Phillips-Bosshart prevented a conversion.
A Phillips-Bosshart save with 36 seconds left ended UAB’s final chance and secured a Tennessee victory.
UT, however, won’t be happy with just another trip to the Sweet 16.
“I want a national championship,” Kelly said. “So unless you talk to me three weeks from now and I’m a national champion, we won’t have achieved all our goals.”
