Soccer Central: Xavier

Sunday, February 28

Knoxville, TN

3:00 PM

University of Tennessee

Xavier

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.10.09 - Tennessee vs. Missouri

Photo by: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

February 27, 2021 | Soccer

Watch (SEC Network+)Live Stats Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Coming off back-to-back blowout victories to open the spring semester, the Tennessee soccer team returns to its home pitch Sunday afternoon to take on the defending Big East Conference champion Xavier Musketeers. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Sunday's match will be streamed online via SEC Network+. Live stats will be available through SIDEARM Stats, and fans can follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter for live match updates.

GAMEDAY REMINDERS: To align with state and local physical-distancing guidelines for public gatherings, gameday seating at Regal Soccer Stadium will be approximately 25 percent of the venue's full capacity on a first-come, first-served basis with distanced seating arrangements.

For more information on Tennessee's gameday adjustments for soccer, please visit 1tn.co/SoccerGameday.

LAST TIME OUT: Five Vols marked the scoresheet as Tennessee posted a dominant 7-0 shutout win at App State on Saturday, February 20. Jaida Thomas led the Big Orange with a pair of scores, while Mackenzie George, Louisa Essuman, Lawson Renie and Abbey Burdette also contributed one goal apiece throughout the contest.

With Saturday's 7-0 blanking of App State, Tennessee earned its largest road win since an 8-0 shutout at ETSU on October 9, 1998. The seven-goal margin of victory was the highest for UT overall since toppling Belmont at home, 8-0, on September 13, 2015.

COMING IN HOT: In their first two matches of the spring semester, the Vols have amassed a +13 goal difference with a 6-0 victory against Gardner-Webb on February 14 and a 7-0 triumph at Appalachian State on February 20. The 13 goals are the most for the program in a two-game stretch since scoring 15 in back-to-back wins over Arkansas State (9-0) and Murray State (6-1) on September 6 and 8, 2002.

WEEKLY HONORS: Tennessee soccer standouts Jaida Thomas and Lindsey Romig were each recognized by the Southeastern Conference on Monday afternoon.

Thomas was selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring five goals in her first two matches of the semester, while Romig was tabbed as the league's Defensive Player of the Week after recording back-to-back shutouts to start the 2021 spring campaign.

FIRST COLLEGIATE SCORES: Three Vols have found the back of the net for the first time in their collegiate careers this semester. Redshirt freshman Giselle Washington had her first on a header against Gardner-Webb, while the rookie duo of Louisa Essuman and Lawson Renie each tallied at App State late in the second half.

FRONT THREE THRIVING: Tennessee's attacking trio of Abbey Burdette, Mackenzie George and Jaida Thomas has combined to score nine goals in the team's first two matches of the spring. Burdette and George have poured in two apiece, while Thomas has exploded for five scores in UT's two blowout wins.

Thomas is the second player in program history to score five goals in a two-game stretch. Former Lady Vol Allison Campbell accomplished the feat twice, tallying six against UNC Asheville (5) and Xavier (1) in 1998 and five against South Carolina (4) and Ole Miss (1) in 1999.

UP NEXT: Sunday's contest is the first of a three-match homestand for the Big Orange. Tennessee is set to host Wake Forest on Saturday, March 6 before welcoming the UNC Tar Heels to Regal Stadium on Saturday, March 13.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee soccer, follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter and Instagram.