As Volunteer fans eagerly count the days until they get to hear the iconic words, “It’s football time in Tennessee,” another UT team is preparing to make some noise this fall.
This same team will have an opportunity to make a statement as they travel to Wisconsin this weekend to begin the season.
The Lady Volunteer soccer squad starts the season on the road at the 2014 Wisconsin Invitational Tournament in Madison, where they square off against Milwaukee this evening and then play Wisconsin Sunday.
While the Lady Vols hope to start the season successfully, going undefeated through the weekend will be no easy task – both their opponents present formidable challenges.
As the reigning Horizon League champions, the Milwaukee Panthers are the preseason favorites to win their 15th consecutive conference crown this season. They also return nine of 11 starters from the team that made an appearance at the NCAA tournament.
Their Sunday opponent, Wisconsin, is no cupcake either.
The Badgers return 10 starters from a team which posted a winning record in 2013 (10-7-2) and just barely missed the NCAA tournament.
But amid preparations for two challenging weekend opponents, Tennessee Head Coach Brian Pensky claims the first priority for his team is playing to their strengths.
“I think first and foremost we have to be good at being us,” Pensky said. “In the next few days, we are really going to start to hone in on what our lineup is going to look like, not just the starting group, but the top 15-16 bodies that we are going to use and be a good attacking team. Good possession, putting teams on their heels, and obviously being good defensively and organized.”
For a team with 14-consecutive league championships, however, Milwaukee does have their weaknesses.
Last season, the Panthers allowed 43 goals – giving up five goals in a match on two occasions – which might play into the strengths of UT, who have a strong front line led by senior Hannah Wilkinson and sophomore transfer Anna McClung.
“We have a really talented front line for sure – the starters and the people coming off the bench – but I wouldn’t say any team that we are going to play is weak by any means,” freshman Carlyn Baldwin said. “I think it is going to be a really challenging game and I know our front line will do great against them because they are all really talented players individually and as a unit.”
After watching his team’s exhibition in Louisville Aug. 13, Pensky believes his front line has some room for improvement in their matches against Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
“I thought we were okay against Louisville,” Pensky said. “I thought our possession in the first and third periods when we had the nucleus of our returners on the field was pretty good. I thought our final passes and getting in the front half and being effective towards the final third needs a little bit of work.”
Tennessee has their question marks as well, though.
Following senior goalkeeper Julie Eckel’s injury, the Lady Vols have been trying to find a replacement for the two-time Defensive Player of the Week. No starter has been named yet for tonight’s contest, but the decision will be between freshman Alexis Smith, who started in UT’s 1-1 draw against Louisville, or junior Jamie Simmons.
With the start of the season on the horizon, Pensky is excited to see what his team brings to the field following what he described as an “awesome” week of practice.
“Our team’s want to be great is very high right now and every day they come out,” Pensky said. “They get themselves going and they compete every day. We couldn’t be more proud of their effort and attention to detail right now.”
