Tennessee soccer is gearing up for an exciting home match against Eastern Kentucky at 1 p.m. ET at Regal Stadium. The Lady Vols are riding high after securing their first win over a top-ranked team, beating No. 1 North Carolina 2-0 in their opening match. Shae O’Rourke made a splash with both goals in that historic victory.
The game can be streamed on SECN+, and admission is free for all matches this season. If you’re planning to attend, remember that Regal Stadium has a clear bag policy and is cashless for concessions and the VolShop. A free shuttle will pick up fans at the CC4 lot on the Ag Campus, running one hour before and after the game.
This season marks a milestone for head coach Joe Kirt, who became the first in the program’s history to defeat a top-ranked team. Shae O’Rourke also had a standout debut, notching two goals in her first match. Another player to watch is Jenna Stayart, who had her first multi-assist game against UNC and played a full 90 minutes.
Tennessee has welcomed eight newcomers, including five true freshmen and three transfers with SEC experience. The team has 15 returning letterwinners and nine starters from last season, which saw them reach the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row.
The Lady Vols are starting strong, facing two top-10 teams in their first three matches, including their upcoming bout against No. 8 UCLA. Five players from the team—Ally Brown, Reese Mattern, Mac Midgley, Shae O’Rourke, and Anaiyah Robinson—were named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist, showcasing the strength of this year’s roster.
Expert opinion supports the importance of strong starts in sports. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that teams that start strong often maintain momentum. Fan engagement is likely to be high given recent social media buzz around the team’s historic win, making this a season to watch.
For in-depth stats and more information, check out the Tennessee Athletics website.
