Vols Smash Belmont, 8-0

Sunday, September 13

Knoxville, TN

1:00 PM

University of Tennessee

5-0-3

Belmont

1-4-1

Belmont

Tennessee

September 13, 2015 | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 13, 2015

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Freshman Danielle Marcano scored two goals as seven different Vols found the back of the net on Sunday in Tennessee's 8-0 rout of Belmont at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The Vols (5-0-3) enjoyed their most explosive offensive performance ever under head coach Brian Pensky and continued their outstanding stretch of stout defense. UT's eight goals were its most since an 8-0 win over Chattanooga on Sept. 19, 2010. Tennessee has allowed just one goal over 780 minutes and the Vols have held opponents scoreless over their last 384 minutes of play.

"I think I've used this phrase a little bit - 'waiting for the dam to break.' Certainly the dam broke today," Pensky said after the big win. "We've known all along that we can be a very good attacking team, a very dangerous team."

Senior goalkeeper Julie Eckel (5-0-3) made two saves over 78 minutes to earn the win. Freshman Shae Yanez subbed in with just over 12 minutes left and finished the match without surrendering a goal.

Tennessee took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when Amy Neal punched in a deflection of the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season.

Marcano netted the first goal of her career in the 24th minute when Rylie O'Keefe sent a cross in from the left side and Marcano punched the ball in to the right corner of the net. The Vols took a 2-0 lead into halftime with a 9-7 edge on shots.

UT wasted no time adding to its lead in the second half. Thirty seconds out of halftime, Gabby Santorio sent a ball forward to Bialczak, who connected with Cali Hutson on a cross from the right side. Hutson fired from the left side of the box and scored near the right post for her second goal of the season, giving Tennessee a 3-0 advantage.

Belmont (1-4-1) switched goalkeepers in the 68th minute when Lindsay Espe relieved starter Stephanie Bukovec (1-4-1). Each keeper allowed four goals.

The Vols poured on two more goals in the 74th minute. Anna McClung headed in a deep cross from Tatum Wagner at 73:17 and 23 seconds later Marcano punched in her second goal following a pass from Ariel Kupritz and a cross from Wagner.

After assisting on UT's fifth and sixth goals, Wagner scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the 76th minute when she fired from the far right side of the box, over the keeper and near the left post.

Tennessee scored its eighth goal in the 88th minute when Bialczak knocked in a rebound off the keeper, following a deep cross from Christine Creighton. The goal was Bialczak's second on the season.

UT outshot Belmont, 21-8, with a 13-2 edge on shots on goal. Tennessee also had an 8-2 advantage on corner kicks.

The Vols next host Auburn on Sept. 20. That match will have a 3 p.m. start and feature a live televised broadcast on SEC Network.