Vols Shut Out Kentucky for Record 9th Consecutive Win

Sunday, September 17

Knoxville, TN

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

9-0-0,1-0-0

Kentucky

5-5-0,0-1-0

Kentucky

Tennessee

September 17, 2017 | Soccer

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Volunteers matched their program record ninth consecutive victory with a 3-0 win over Kentucky to open SEC play Sunday at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The Vols remained unbeaten at 9-0-0 and 1-0-0 in conference, posting their seventh shutout of the season while getting a pair of goals from junior Khadija Shaw and the game-winner from sophomore Mary Alice Vignola.

Kentucky (5-5-0, 0-1-0 SEC) controlled play for the first 15 minutes of the game with UT freshman defender Paige Franks coming up with a key stop on the goal line.

Shortly after the Wildcats' near goal, the Lady Vols struck back.

Vignola, starting her second game this season at forward, came up with her second game-winning goal in as many matches. She scored in the 17th minute off a right cross from Erin Gilroy. Franks also contributed with an assist.

Tennessee extended its lead in the 30th minute with Shaw heading in her first goal of the game off a pass from junior Meghan Flynn. The Vols led 2-0 at halftime.

"We started a little slowly ... and our players are smart enough and mature enough to know that that's not OK," Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky said. "Credit to Kentucky; they came out with their foot on the pedal. Our kids responded and were able to flip the field and scored two fantastic goals.

"As I said, our group is mature, and they want to be great. And that's everything. And we are winning games with complete team contributions. It's all about selflessness and putting our team in front of anything else, and that's why we are having success right now."

Shaw gave the Vols some extra insurance with two minutes left in the game. Junior Danielle Marcano pushed the ball ahead to Shaw, who skillfully evaded the goalkeeper and a defender in the box before putting in the goal.

She nearly pulled off her second hat trick of the season, shooting too high on an open look with 15 seconds left in the game.

"The third goal was important, and we knew that'd be the case," Pensky said. "And it was class — a fantastic ball from Danielle, and a highlight reel finish from Bunny. Now we have to rest up and prepare for a very good Auburn team. We know that game is going to be a battle."

Through nine games, Shaw has scored eight goals. Graduate Hannah Wilkinson led Tennessee with 11 goals all of last season.

The Vols play a pair of SEC matches next week, hosting Auburn on Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern before traveling to No. 3 South Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m.