Tennessee Tops #5/7 Tigers With 1-0 Victory

Thursday, September 12

7 PM

University of Tennessee

5-1-1, 0-0-0

#5 Memphis

5-1-0, 0-0-0

Memphis

Tennessee

September 12, 2024 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Joe Kirt Postgame Media Midgley & Klurman Postgame Media Photo Gallery

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee soccer recorded an impressive and resilient 1-0 victory against No. 5/7 Memphis on Thursday afternoon at Regal Soccer Stadium, tallying their sixth-consecutive clean sheet in the process.

Tennessee's (5-1-1) last victory against a top-five opponent came against Arkansas in 2021, when UT defeated the fifth-ranked Razorbacks 3-0 in the SEC Championship game.

The Lady Vols' sixth straight clean sheet is its most since 2021 and the first time in the Joe Kirt era.

"Really proud of our team tonight. (It was) a gutty, gutty gritty performance against a really good Memphis team," said Kirt. "Another shutout top to bottom. (We were) making the best of our opportunities.

"You're going to get an opportunity and are you gonna take it or are you gonna let it slip by, and they grabbed it today. Another 1-0 win against a top-10 opponent at Regal. So, really proud of our team. Everybody on the field and off the field, they were fully committed to getting a win tonight, so really proud of them."

Memphis (5-1-0) had not trailed at any point this season, until tonight. The Tigers were one of seven unbeaten teams in Division I as well, boasting a 5-0 record on the season and a nine-match road winning streak dating back to last year – the longest consecutive road victory mark in the country.

Mac Midgley scored the lone goal on the day, an up-close bullet in the 48th minute after a header by Sammi Woods in the box was let loose by the Memphis keeper.

In the first half, Tennessee recorded two shots on goal courtesy of Reese Mattern in the 17th minute and Keaton Mitchell in the 40th. The Big Orange did not allow a shot on target in the first 45 and allowed the Tigers only two chances total.

The second frame saw more attacking chances from the Tigers, as Memphis tallied seven shots total and two on goal. Ally Zazzara only had to make two saves throughout the match, and the Lady Vol defense proved crucial within and outside the box once again, managing the game and keeping the shutout alive.

For the game, Tennessee had four shots, each one coming on goal. Mattern, Midgley, Mitchell and Woods recorded the four opportunities for the Lady Vols in the triumph.

UT concluded its non-conference slate with an undefeated record at home, going 4-0-1 in the process.

Up Next: The Lady Vols will continue their home stretch and will open SEC play against Ole Miss on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. E.T. at Regal Soccer Stadium.