By Aidan Corley
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Regal Stadium last saw action on Aug. 17 when the Lady Vols had their way with Eastern Kentucky, defeating the Colonels 9-0. This marked the second of a two-game home stand to start the season that also included a 2-0 upset win over then No. 1 North Carolina. Since then, Tennessee has racked up its travel miles playing in four consecutive away games while garnering national attention along the way.
From sunny Los Angeles to the mountains of North Carolina, the Lady Vols are returning home from a successful away stretch ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, achieving the highest ranking in program history. Here is how it happened.
No. 4 UCLA 0-1 Tennessee
Redshirt Junior Shae O’Rourke’s hot start, scoring three goals in her first two games, continued on as her first-half strike was enough to edge out a formidable UCLA squad. The Bruins outshot the Lady Vols 17-1 but were unable to find a breakthrough. Sophomore goalkeeper Cayden Norris registered five saves in the game. The win was a second over a top-five opponent in three games to start the season.
LMU 0-3 Tennessee
The Lady Vols capped off their trip to the West Coast with a convincing 3-0 win over Loyola Marymount. O’Rourke converted from the penalty spot to notch her fifth goal in a young season. Tennessee’s second goal came courtesy of an own goal before redshirt senior Jenna Stayart picked up her first goal of the season to wrap the game up. The Lady Vols picked up yet another clean sheet and won the game in dominant fashion, totaling up eight shots on goal compared to LMU’s one.
Western Carolina 0-3 Tennessee
Tennessee picked up in Cullowhee where they left off in Los Angeles and made it back-to-back 3-0 wins. The Big Orange controlled the flow of the game offensively, posting 10 shots on goal, and were able to pile up pressure by way of 11 corner kicks throughout the game. The Catamounts were kept quiet, only registering two shots on goal. Junior Keaton Mitchell opened the scoring with her first of the season late in the first half. The Lady Vols found their groove in the second half when sophomore Reese Mattern quickly added a second before Stayart picked up her second goal in as many games to cap off the scoring. Senior Mac Midgley, who was named on the All-SEC Third Team in 2024, picked up two assists after starting the season off with an injury.
No. 14 Memphis 0-0 Tennessee
For the first time all season, Tennessee did not emerge victorious as they were held to a stalemate by in-state rivals Memphis in a top-15 showdown. The game was evenly contested throughout, with both teams accumulating over 10 shots and both keepers being forced into saves. Norris had her biggest moment of the season in goal so far, making a crucial penalty save to keep the game deadlocked as the first half drew to a close. Though neither team was able to find a winner, Tennessee remains undefeated through the first six games of the season. O’Rourke did not feature in the game.
Individual Honors
SEC Offensive Player of the Week (8/18/25) – Shae O’Rourke
The South Carolina and Texas A&M transfer has been a revelation up top for the Lady Vols. O’Rourke won SEC Offensive Player of the Week following her heroic efforts against North Carolina and has popped up with important goals ever since. O’Rourke has scored five goals in five games, including three game-winners in her first season at Rocky Top.
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (8/18/25) – Cayden Norris
Norris was the recipient of the SEC Defensive Player of the Week to start the year, and has been immense the whole season, recording six consecutive clean sheets. The sophomore has made 18 saves on the season, none more decisive than a penalty save against Memphis to keep the Lady Vols unbeaten.
By The Numbers
0 – The Lady Vols are yet to concede a goal this season, becoming one of only two teams to do so (Kansas State)
2 – Tennessee is ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings, the highest in program history
3 – Tennessee has played three top-15 opponents in six games this season (North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis)
5 – Shae O’Rourke and Alivia Stott lead the team with five goals each
6 – The Lady Vols are undefeated through six games this season
18 – Tennessee has scored 18 goals through six games, nearly surpassing the 22 goals scored all of last season
Tennessee has had a battle-tested and historical start to its season, and will return home on Sunday to take on Georgia Southern, looking to wrap up non-conference play with a win.