University of Tennessee Athletics
Soccer Central: UT vs. Mississippi State
October 19, 2016 | Soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee will look to secure a spot in the SEC Tournament with a win on Thursday night as Mississippi State visits Regal Soccer Stadium. The Volunteers need just three points to guarantee themselves a trip to Orange Beach, Ala., for the conference tournament at the end of the month.
GAME INFO
Tennessee vs. Mississippi State
- Opponent: Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 20 / 7 p.m. ET
- Location/Venue: Knoxville, Tenn. / Regal Soccer Stadium (3,000)
- TV: SEC Network +/WatchESPN
- Gametracker: UTSports.com
TEAM INFO
Tennessee Volunteers (9-6-1, 4-3-1 SEC)
Roster Schedule StatsMississippi State Bulldogs (6-9, 1-7 SEC)
Roster Schedule StatsNeed to Know
UT comes into Thursday’s game unbeaten in its previous four contests (3-0-1). The Vols earned a hard-fought 2-2 tie on the road at Kentucky in their only match last week. Hannah Wilkinson continued her streak of standout performances with a goal and an assist to earn a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. Ariel Kupritz also had a solid game against the Wildcats, netting the game-tying goal in the 84th minute and nearly scoring another after hitting the post in the first half.
That Girl is on Fire!
Wilkinson has been unstoppable over the past five games, scoring in all five while racking up 15 points in that span. Over the past couple of weeks, she has moved up to second on the program’s career goals chart with 31, and up to third on the Vols’ all-time scoring list with 79 career points. Wilkinson also notched her 17th career assist last week to move into a tie for ninth on Tennessee’s all-time list. The New Zealand native leads the team and is tied for third in the SEC with 26 points, a new single-season high. Her eight multi-point efforts are far and away the most on the team this season and she is currently tied for 17th nationally with 1.85 points per game.
Goals! Goals! Goals!
Tennessee’s attack has been in fine form over the past three weeks with 11 goals in the last five games. The Big Orange have scored two or more goals in 11 of the past 13 matches after only scoring multiple goals five times all of last season. Ten different players have found the back of the net for the Vols this season and 15 have recorded at least one point.
Vols Earning National Recognition
Numerous Tennessee players have garnered some national attention over the past few weeks. Wilkinson added to her long list of accolades this week by earning a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. She was also named the NSCAA Women’s College Player of the Week on Oct. 4. Last week, Emily Morrow earned a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week after assisting on a pair of goals in wins over LSU and Texas A&M. A trio of Vols were also named to midseason top 100 player lists last week by Top Drawer Soccer. Wilkinson and Carlyn Baldwin were named midseason top 100 players, coming it at No. 69 and No. 91, respectively, while Maya Neal came in at No. 100 on the midseason freshmen top 100 list.
Follow the Action
Thursday's game will be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN (Online Only) as Darren Headrick (PxP) and Cameron Conway-Broome (analyst) will call the action. Fans can also follow live stats for the game by clicking the link above or visiting the soccer schedule page on UTSports.com.
Ticket Information
No tickets needed. Admission to all Tennessee soccer home games is FREE!
Know the Foe
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs enter Thursday’s game in desperate need of a win in order to keep their hopes alive for an SEC Tournament spot. MSU has lost three straight and six of its last seven games, a stretch in which the Bulldogs have scored just three goals. Mallory Eubanks is one of four players tied for the team lead with a pair of goals. The junior forward also leads the team with three assists and seven points this year. Tanya de Souza has seen the lion’s share of time in goal, making 71 saves while posting a 1.60 GAA in 14 games this season.
UT’s All-Time Record vs. Mississippi State: 14-2-1
The Vols have dominated the series with the Bulldogs, posting a better winning percentage against them than any other team they’ve played at least 10 times. UT hasn’t lost to MSU since 2006 and is 7-0-1 against the Bulldogs since that time while outscoring them, 22-1, in that span.
Promotions/Giveaways
Check out the promotions that will be going on at Thursday’s game below.
Goal Pink Game
- Pink Doughnut for First 300 Fans
- Susan G. Komen Table for Donations & Race Sign Ups
Dollar Night
- $1 Hotdogs & Drinks
Other Promotions/Giveaways
- Free Tennessee Boomstick for First 100 Fans
- Free Vuvuzela for First 50 Students
- Postgame Autographs
Fan Information/Stadium Policies
Please be advised that the university’s new bag policy for all of its athletic venues will be in effect for this event. In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, the university is implementing new safety policies for fans bringing bags into all athletic venues.
Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Official Team Store at Neyland Stadium, VolShop locations in the Student Union, 17th & Cumberland Avenue and University Commons; as well as other area retailers.
For more information on the new bag policy click HERE.
What’s Next?
Tennessee concludes the home portion of its schedule with a Sunday showdown against unbeaten and second-ranked South Carolina on Senior Night. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN (Online) with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m.
