By Aidan Corley
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee soccer (6-0-1) concluded its final dress rehearsal before SEC play on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with a comfortable but tight 1-0 victory over Georgia Southern (2-5-0). The No. 2-ranked Lady Vols bounced back with a win after being held to a draw for the first time all season last time out versus Memphis in the final match of four straight away from home.
Tennessee’s long-awaited return back to Knoxville was all smiles for Senior Day celebrations. Eight VFLs were recognized for their careers in orange and white after the game with nothing but high praise from head coach Joe Kirt.
“I’m really proud of their individual growth, their collective growth, what they’ve accomplished on and off the field it’s a tremendous group,” Kirt said. “In the classroom, on the field, and in the community, I’m just really, really proud of them and how they’ve represented themselves and our program.”
A goal made by seniors gave Tennessee the lead and eventual win five minutes into the second half. Following a Georgia Southern foul just inside midfield, Ally Brown played short to fellow defender Leah Klurman, who was in acres of space. Klurman got her head up and picked out Jenna Stayart, making a run in the box, who beat the keeper to the ball to head in her third goal of the season.
“Honestly, I was just glad to put one in so we could get a win,” Stayart said. “We have a really strong senior class and just an awesome team. It’s great to finish the non-conference undefeated and get a win for all of us seniors.”
Slow Start
The Lady Vols dictated the play in the first half with 73% of the possession, but seemingly fell flat at pivotal moments, creating five shots with only one landing on frame. Brown saw a free header glance wide off a corner kick in the early goings, and later Arkansas transfer Anaiyah Robinson got her head on the end of a Reese Mattern cross, only to see it go over the bar.
Both Robinson and Skylar Miller were bright sparks off Tennessee’s bench all afternoon. Miller provided the lone shot on target in the first half after receiving the ball on the half turn and forcing a save out of Georgia Southern keeper Katie Oakley from just outside the box.
Chances became more routine as the game opened up following Stayart’s goal. Junior Luciana Latino nearly doubled the lead instantly as she rattled a strike off the crossbar from 20 yards out. Sophomore Reese Mattern caused problems with her dribbling and pace down the right side all game. Mattern was able to beat her defender, get to the byline, and whip in teasing crosses on multiple occasions, but no one in a Tennessee shirt was able to get on the end of them.
Shutout Streak Continues
Senior Ally Zazzara was given the nod in goal and was able to replicate what sophomore Cayden Norris has done all season: keep a clean sheet. Zazzara was rarely called into action, but made two saves to keep Tennessee’s streak of consecutive shutouts dating back to the start of the season intact.
“It’s kind of a surreal moment to sit here after all this time,” Zazzara said. “It’s nice to look back after five years and be like job well done.”
The Lady Vols are now the only team in the country to have not conceded a goal in the 2025 season following Kansas State’s loss this afternoon.
Shae O’Rourke Sidelined
Star forward Shae O’Rourke has now missed back-to-back games due to injury. She is “day to day”, according to Kirt.
Tennessee has been tested and gone through a tough non-conference schedule, now they will turn their attention to all-important SEC play.
“Our team has been tested in lots of ways, and that’s what this league does. It’s incredibly challenging and difficult,” Kirt said. “We’ve been put in those situations already, so I think it’s prepared us really well to go on the road Friday against a really good team away and get a result.”
Up Next
Tennessee travels to Starkville to open up conference play against Mississippi State on Friday, Sept. 12.