#10 Lady Vols Close Nonconference Play Unbeaten with Resilient Victory over Northwestern

Sunday, September 6

Knoxville, Tenn.

2:00 p.m. ET

University of Tennessee

5-0-1, 0-0-0

Northwestern

2-3-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Northwestern	0	0	0
Tennessee	1	0	1

#10 Lady Vols Close Nonconference Play Unbeaten with Resilient Victory over Northwestern

September 06, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 10 Tennessee soccer team closed its six-match nonconference schedule unbeaten with a 1-0 victory over Northwestern on Sunday afternoon at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The Lady Vols (5-0-1) battled through a 30-minute weather delay and a fierce Northwestern attacking spell in the second half to secure the team's fourth shutout victory of 2026.

"Good win at Regal today," head coach Joe Kirt said after the match. "Tough conditions on a Sunday. I'm proud of the group for getting a result and going into conference play undefeated. They've done a great job getting to this point and toughed it out today. It wasn't our best performance, especially in the second half, but they got it done."

The match was a tale of two halves, as Tennessee began the contest firmly on the front foot. The Lady Vols found the game's lone goal from the penalty spot in the 12^th minute, as Ines Derrien converted the attempt after Taylor Cheatham drew a foul in the penalty area.

It marks Derrien's first goal for Tennessee, adding to her tally of two assists this season. The junior transfer from USC had previously found the back of the net five times over two seasons with the Trojans.

"She's intelligent," Kirt said of Derrien after the match. "She sees the game really well, puts herself in good spots, and has the technical ability to deliver. Her work this weekend has been tremendous, especially the numbers and distances she's covered. She's fit, she's strong, puts herself in great spots to help us keep the ball, and she works incredibly hard defensively."

The Lady Vols would out-shoot Northwestern eight to three in the opening 45 minutes but entered the halftime break with just a 1-0 advantage. Less than two minutes into the second half, the match came to a halt due to lightning in the area, resulting in a 30-minute delay.

Coming out of the locker room after the delay, Northwestern quickly grew into the game, spending the remainder of the half on the attack. Despite sustained pressure, resulting in a nine to one second half shot advantage for the Wildcats, Tennessee's defense held strong to preserve a shutout and the 1-0 victory.

Junior goalkeeper Cayden Norris recorded two saves in goal for her fourth clean sheet of the season.

Tennessee faced two tough tests to close the nonconference slate, coupling Thursday's 1-1 draw at No. 12 Virginia alongside Sunday's victory. Fifth-year forward and team captain Kylee Simmons spoke on the team's ability to face adversity after the match.

"I'm actually really excited that we faced these things these last two games going into conference play," Simmons said after the match. "You know how the SEC is. It is incredibly physical, and those are going to be the same games we have from now until November and into the postseason. Being able to see adversity and fight through it, coming out with four points through the weekend and staying undefeated in nonconference play is really important."

Tennessee will open SEC play on Friday, Sept. 11, with a trip to LSU. Kickoff with the Tigers from Baton Rouge, La., is set for 8 p.m. ET.