#10 Lady Vols Remain Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at #12 Virginia

Thursday, September 3

Charlottesville, Va.

7:00 p.m. ET

University of Tennessee

4-0-1, 0-0-0

Virginia

4-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Tennessee	1	0	1
Virginia	0	1	1

#10 Lady Vols Remain Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at #12 Virginia

September 03, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 10 Tennessee soccer team opened its 2026 road account on Thursday night with a 1-1 draw at No. 12 Virginia.

The Lady Vols (4-0-1) remain unbeaten in 2026 after opening the season with four consecutive home victories at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Tennessee wasted no time applying the pressure at Klöckner Stadium, striking less than five minutes into the match. A lightning-quick counterattack was spurred by Ines Derrien, who intercepted a sloppy Virginia pass and progressed the ball forward to Shae O'Rourke. The fifth-year forward proceeded to play a perfectly weighted through ball to Taylor Cheatham, who made no mistake when through on goal.

Cheatham's finish into the bottom left corner was her second goal of the season, giving Tennessee early momentum. O'Rourke and Derrien were each credited with assists on the play.

The Lady Vols continued to put pressure on the Cavalier net, tallying seven shots in the first half. Tennessee came inches from adding a second goal in the 16^th minute as a left-footed effort from the top of the box by Milee Zych rattled the crossbar. O'Rourke's follow-up attempt was denied by the post as the Lady Vols hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds.

Despite sustained pressure on Virginia's goal, Tennessee entered the halftime break with just a one goal lead. The Cavaliers opened the second half on the front foot, finding the match's equalizing goal in the 47^th minute to knot the score at 1-1.

A back-and-forth second half saw both teams generate chances, but neither side was able to find a game-winning goal. Tennessee goalkeeper Cayden Norris had a season-high two saves, both in the second half, to deny Virginia from finding a second goal.

The match's final clear-cut opportunity fell to Tennessee in the 87^th minute. Derrien ripped a shot from 25 yards out that looked destined for the top-left corner, but a miraculous save by Virginia goalkeeper Victoria Safradin ensured the match finished 1-1.

A quick turnaround sees Tennessee return home for a Sunday afternoon matchup with Northwestern at Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 6. Kickoff with the Wildcats is set for 2 p.m. ET.