Soccer Central: Wake Forest

Saturday, March 6

Knoxville, TN

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

Wake Forest

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.11.06 - Tennessee vs. South Carolina

Photo by: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

March 05, 2021 | Soccer

Watch (SEC Network+)Live Stats Game Notes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Winners of three-straight to open the 2021 spring semester, the Tennessee soccer team returns to action this weekend with a home contest against Wake Forest on Saturday. Kickoff between the Vols and Demon Deacons is set for 6 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Saturday's match will be streamed online via SEC Network+, with Andy Brock (play-by-play) and Tori Beeler-Watson (analyst) on the call. Live stats will be provided by 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: Tennessee scored three times in the second half en route to a 3-1 triumph over the defending Big East Conference champions of Xavier last Sunday. Freshman forward Jaida Thomas had her third-straight multi-goal performance, scoring a brace to lead the Vols to victory.

Junior midfielder Hannah Tillett logged her first goal as a Vol against Xavier, tallying on a penalty kick that spilled over the goal line and went down as the match-winner. She was in her comfort zone taking the PK, as Tillett connected on 10 in two years during her previous stint at MTSU to set a program record.

The win over Xavier was Tennessee's 22nd in a row over a non-conference opponent at home—a streak that dates to August 28, 2016.

NOTING THE HOT START: UT has begun the 2021 spring campaign on a tear, claiming three-straight victories with a +15 goal differential. The Vols have downed Gardner-Webb (6-0), App State (7-0) and Xavier (3-1) in the program's first three spring matches.

Seven Vols have combined for 16 goals to start the spring semester: Jaida Thomas (7), Abbey Burdette (2), Mackenzie George (2), Louisa Essuman (1), Lawson Renie (1), Hannah Tillett (1) and Giselle Washington (1).

The Vols opened the new year going four hours and 11 minutes (250:57) of game time without conceding a goal. Xavier tallied in the 71st minute on Sunday to break up the shutout streak.

WEEKLY HONOR: Jaida Thomas was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the third time this season after the Irving, Texas, native had a two-goal outing that propelled the Vols to a 3-1 victory over Xavier. With Monday's honor, Thomas is the first player in program history to be named SEC Freshman of the Week three times in a single season.

Thomas' performance on Sunday was her third consecutive match scoring multiple goals. She is the first Lady Vol to accomplish that feat since at least 2001.

With 10 goals during the 2020-21 campaign, Thomas is tied for the SEC lead and ranks No. 2 in the NCAA. Her 10 tallies this season are also the third-most by a Tennessee freshman in program history.

RECEIVING VOTES: In the first United Soccer Coaches national poll of the spring released earlier this week, Tennessee was the first team out of the top-25 as it garnered 61 points. Six opponents on the Vols' 2020-21 schedule received mention in the poll: No. 2 North Carolina, No. 6 Vanderbilt, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 South Carolina, RV Florida and RV Missouri.

SERIES HISTORY: The Vols are unbeaten against Wake Forest, going 4-0-1 in the all-time series that dates to 2001. The most recent matchup was a 1-1 draw in Winston-Salem on August 23, 2018.

Saturday's trip to Knoxville will be the first for the Demon Deacons in nearly 20 years, as the first meeting between the two programs took place at the UT Soccer Complex on September 20, 2001. Tennessee claimed a 2-1 victory, with Keeley Dowling and Kayla Lockaby accounting for scores in the win.

SCOUTING THE DEACS: Wake Forest went 3-5-1 in an ACC-only schedule during the fall, closing the semester winning two of its last three matches. Saturday's matchup will serve as the spring opener for the Demon Deacons.

Freshman midfielder Sophie Faircloth led Wake with three goals last fall, while junior midfielder Sofia Rossi has contributed two scores and an assist in nine appearances for the Deacs. Redshirt freshman keeper Kaitlyn Parks eventually won the starting job between the posts, shining in the final three matches of the fall with two clean sheets and 20 saves.

UP NEXT: The Vols will complete their three-game homestand next weekend, welcoming the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels to Regal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13.

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