With greater achievement comes a higher level of expectations.
After tying unbeaten North Carolina last weekend, the Lady Volunteer soccer team took a leap in the national rankings – moving up to No.7 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll released Tuesday.
The ranking marks the highest ranking in the history of Tennessee’s soccer program. But the task of the Lady Vols is to make certain that the ranking isn’t just a fluke.
“Throughout the season, I try not to pay attention to these polls,” UT coach Angela Kelly said. “It’s not where you are, but where you end.
“We know we need to take care of business in the upcoming weeks or it means nothing.”
Tonight’s game takes Tennessee to Richmond, Va., for a contest against the Richmond Spiders.
Richmond stands at 1-3-1 on the season after tying with Seton Hall on Sunday. The lone win on the Spiders’ record came with a 2-1 victory over Virginia Commonwealth.
Tennessee hosts UNLV in Sunday’s action. The Rebels (4-1-1) will take on Auburn in a Friday night game before heading to Knoxville.
Junior midfielder Jessica Brown scored two goals in the Rebels’ win over Houston last Friday. Her performance earned her Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The Rebels, riding a five-game unbeaten streak, are also led by freshman midfielder Jessica Destito, with two goals on the season.
The Lady Vols plan to counter their opponents with an imposing defense that includes junior goalkeeper Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart.
After holding top-ranked North Carolina scoreless last Friday, Phillips-Bosshart recorded seven saves in a 2-1 win over USC on Sunday. Her efforts garnered her SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, as well as the goalkeeper spot on the Soccer America Team of the Week.
“She is really starting to come into her own,” Kelly said. “She has matured a huge amount over the past year, thanks to her diligence and training in the offseason.
“I know she would be pleased with these honors, but she would deflect the attention back to her teammates and particularly the defense.”
Tennessee is led offensively by senior defender Keeley Dowling and freshman forward Genna Gorman with two goals apiece. Sophomore midfielder Ali Christoph paces the team with six points off four assists.
Kelly said now the Lady Vols are just trying to prevent a letdown following last weekend’s emotional games.
“The biggest game of our season thus far was against Sunday’s win over USC, because it is obviously very difficult to have an emotional game on Friday night and need to come back two days later and perform,” Kelly said. “This team did respond.”
